Run-On Sentences and Fragments

Run-On Sentences and Fragments

Independent Clauses Definition: An independent clause is a cluster of words that contains a subject and a predicate and that can stand alone. A predicate is a verb plus any other words that complete the meaning. Example: Chris went shopping. Subject Verb Predicate

Run-on Sentences Definition: A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined as if they were one. There are two basic types of runon sentences: Comma Splices Fused Sentences http://dmsblog.burtongroup.com/.a/6a00e551f866d088330120a6229f80970b-800wi

Comma Splices Definition: In comma splices, two or more independent clauses are joined by a comma only. Example: The boy ate his dinner, his sister played quietly in the corner. Independent Clause,, Independent Clause Independent Clause Train analogy (above): The train cars are joined together with inadequate coupling devices.

Fused Sentences Definition: In fused sentences, two or more independent clauses run together with no punctuation. Example: The boy ate his dinner his sister played quietly in the corner. Independent Clause Independent Clause Independent Clause Train analogy (above): The train cars are run together without any coupling devices.

How do I fix it? There are three ways to fix a run-on sentence or a comma splice: Separate the clauses. Join the clauses correctly. Revise the sentence. http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/files/original/writer.jpg

Separate the Clauses Use a period and a capital letter to separate the independent clauses into individual sentences. Jill was hungry, she bought a big lunch. Jill was hungry. She bought a big lunch.

Join Clauses Correctly. There are only two ways to join independent clauses correctly. Semicolon Comma with a Coordinating Conjunction http://www.agama.tv/images/level1/hands_with_puzzle_pieces.jpg

Semicolon Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when you want to show related ideas. This is Joshua s first time playing golf, I ve been playing for years. This is Joshua s first time playing golf; I ve been playing for years.

Comma and Coordinating Conjunction Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join to independent clauses while expressing the relationship between the two clauses. Sarah went to the post office it was closed. Sarah went to the post office, but it was closed.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Revise the sentence Turn one of the independent clauses into a subordinate clause by using a subordinate conjunction. Estella brought her umbrella it was raining. Estella brought her umbrella because it was raining.

Subordinate Conjunctions

Fragments An independent clause can stand alone because it contains a complete subject and a complete verb, and it is not dependent on another sentence to complete its meaning. Subject Predicate Bobby and Jillian are going to the movies together. Verb

Fragments If part of an independent clause is missing, the sentence becomes a fragment. Going to the movies. (no subject) Bobby and Jillian watching a film. (incomplete verb)

Fragments If a dependent clause is not attached to an independent clause, it becomes a fragment. Because it was a warm Friday night. Which is why we get along so well

How do I fix it? Here are three ways to fix sentence fragments. Add the missing element. Connect dependent clauses to independent clauses. Revise the sentence. http://www.mediabistro.com/10000words/files/original/writer.jpg

Add the Missing Element Identify the missing part and add it to the sentence. Ice and snow all over the trees. (missing verb) Ice and snow were all over the trees.

Connect Clauses Dependent clauses cannot stand alone. They must be connected to independent clauses. Jennifer fixes computers. Such as Dell, HP, and Apple. Jennifer fixes computers, such as Dell, HP, and Apple.

Revise the Sentence Rearrange the words to create a correct sentence pattern. Because of the rain made the grass grow. The grass grew because of the rain.

Exceptions to the Rules Journalists and creative writers may take advantage of exceptions to the rules for run on sentences and fragments. http://addesigns.co.uk/smallads/advert_designs_a-g_files/apple.jpg

Exceptions Exception: If the second of two independent clauses reverses the negative emphasis of the first, these clauses can be joined with a comma. Example: That day I did not swim, I sold real estate.

Exceptions Exception: Short, closely related independent clauses in a sequence can be joined by a comma only. Example: He came, he saw, he conquered.

Exceptions Exception: If the second independent clause is a tag question, a comma may be used between the clauses. Example: He does, doesn t he?

Exceptions Exception: Creative writers may use fragments for emphasis. This is especially true in advertising. Example: Because you re worth it! --L Oreal Commercial

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References Portions of this presentation came from Run-on Sentences: Writing Center Workshop by Nelda Rachels at University of Tennessee, Martin All images found via Google Images