A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction (like "and," "but," "or," "so," "for," "yet," or "nor") or a semicolon.
Here's a breakdown:
* Independent clause: A complete sentence with a subject and a verb that can stand alone.
* Coordinating conjunction: A word that connects two independent clauses.
* Semicolon: A punctuation mark that can join two independent clauses.
Example of a comma splice:
> *The cat sat on the mat, it looked very sleepy.*
Correct ways to fix a comma splice:
* Use a coordinating conjunction:
> *The cat sat on the mat, and it looked very sleepy.*
* Use a semicolon:
> *The cat sat on the mat; it looked very sleepy.*
* Use a period:
> *The cat sat on the mat. It looked very sleepy.*
* Use a subordinating conjunction:
> *Because the cat sat on the mat, it looked very sleepy.*
Comma splices are a common grammatical error, so it's important to be aware of them and how to correct them.