Grammar Boot Camp

Obstacle Course:

Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices(click mouse to proceed)

FROM THE INTERNET

Your Mission:

To Study Fragments To Study Run-ons To Study Comma Splices To Exercise your Writing Muscles

This presentation is enhanced with “Question and Answer” slides. To access, simply click on the words that are highlighted and underlined.

What is a Fragment?

A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought.

Choose one of the following options to correct a fragment:

1. Connect the fragment to the sentence before it, or

2. Connect the fragment to the sentence after it, or

3. Rewrite the fragment so that it is a complete thought.

Fragments

Dependent Clause Fragment: Begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Fragment: When it is time to go home. Correction: When it is time to go home, I

will call you.

What is a Run-on? A run-on contains two more independent

clauses without punctuation signaling the end of the first clause and the beginning of the next clause.

Example: Many dogs enter the contest the poodle is the usual winner.

What is a Comma Splice?

A comma splice is a sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by only a comma.

Example: The book is inspirational, it changed my life.

Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

1. Make Two Separate Sentences:

Run-on: John mowed the lawn Alex raked the leaves.

Comma Splice: John mowed the lawn, Alex raked the leaves.

Correction: John mowed the lawn. Alex raked the leaves.

Correction: John mowed the lawn, and Alex raked the leaves.

Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

1. Use Comma Plus Coordinating Conjunction:

Run-on: Julie is not my sister she is my cousin.

Comma Splice: Julie is not my sister, she is my cousin.

Correction: Julie is not my sister, but she is my cousin.

Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

3. Use Semicolon to Connect the Sentences:

Run-on: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful it had multicolor stripes.

Comma Splice: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful, it had multicolor stripes.

Correction: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful; it had multicolor stripes.

Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

4. Use a Conjunctive Adverb with Appropriate Punctuation:

Run-on: We joined the group for dinner we did not go to the concert afterward.

Comma Splice: We joined the group for dinner, we did not go to the concert afterward.

Correction A: We joined the group for dinner; however, we did not go to the concert afterward.

Correction B: We joined the group for dinner. However, we did not go to the concert afterward.

Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

5. Use Subordination: Run-on: The mother cat cleaned her

kittens they began to cry. Comma Splice: The mother cat cleaned her

kittens, they began to cry. Correction A: The mother cat cleaned her

kittens when they began to cry. Correction B: When they began to cry, the mother

cat cleaned her kittens.

Exercise Your Muscles:

Identify whether the following items contain either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice:

1. Although he had promised that he would.

2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where the lecture is being given.

3. Making it impossible for us to see the road.

4. I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre Island it gives me a sense of peace.

Answer key:

Identify whether the following items contain either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice:

1. Although he had promised that he would. Fragment

2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where the lecture is being given. Comma splice

3. Making it impossible for us to see the road. fragment

4. I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre Island it gives me a sense of peace. Run-on

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed Obstacle Course: Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices of Grammar Boot Camp.

Sign up for the other sessions of Grammar Boot Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website:

http://www.delmar.edu/engl/wrtctr.