Question

what is A comma splice

Answer 1

A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to connect two independent clauses where a semicolon or period would have been more appropriate. So if the phrase preceding the comma could stand alone as a sentence, and the phrase following the comma could as well, a comma probably isn't the right choice.

That's simplifying things a little. You could have a sentence that read, "I went to the store, and I ran into a friend." Beginning a sentence with "and" is more acceptable these days, so these two sentences could stand alone. And yet, I wouldn't say that's a comma splice.

But this would be: "I went to the store, I ran into a friend"