Which sentence contains a comma splice?

• A. I went to the store, I bought milk.
• B. I went to the store and bought milk.
• C. I went to the store; I bought milk.
• D. I went to the store but bought milk.

Answer: (A)

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma create a comma splice. In the sentence I went to the store, I bought milk, two complete statements share a single comma with no conjunction, so that is a comma splice.

The other sentences avoid that error. When two related actions share the same subject and are joined with and, the sentence remains properly formed as a compound predicate. Using a semicolon to separate two independent clauses is also correct punctuation. And joining clauses with a coordinating conjunction like but is acceptable as well, often with a comma placed before the conjunction for clarity.