Which sentence contains a comma splice?

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

• A. The report is long; it is detailed.
• B. The report is long, it is detailed.
• C. The report is long and detailed.
• D. The report is long, and it is detailed.

Answer: (B)

A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. In the sentence “The report is long, it is detailed,” there are two complete thoughts: “The report is long” and “it is detailed.” They’re placed together with just a comma, which creates a splice. The other sentences show proper punctuation. The semicolon in the first alternative links the two independent clauses correctly. The sentence with “long and detailed” describes the same subject with a compound description, so there aren’t two independent clauses to join. The last sentence uses a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, which is acceptable for connecting two independent clauses.

A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. In the sentence “The report is long, it is detailed,” there are two complete thoughts: “The report is long” and “it is detailed.” They’re placed together with just a comma, which creates a splice.

The other sentences show proper punctuation. The semicolon in the first alternative links the two independent clauses correctly. The sentence with “long and detailed” describes the same subject with a compound description, so there aren’t two independent clauses to join. The last sentence uses a comma plus a coordinating conjunction, which is acceptable for connecting two independent clauses.