Sentence StructureSentence Structure

FragmentFragment

A fragment is an INCOMPLETE A fragment is an INCOMPLETE THOUGHT that is punctuated as a THOUGHT that is punctuated as a sentence.sentence.

Example:Example:Jumped over the moon.Jumped over the moon.The dog with yellow hair.The dog with yellow hair.The donkey on the wall.The donkey on the wall.

Run-on sentenceRun-on sentence

A run-on sentence is a sentence that A run-on sentence is a sentence that is not punctuated correctly. is not punctuated correctly.

Example:Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of - Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year it is a time to celebrate the the year it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

Comma spliceComma splice

A comma splice occurs when YOU are A comma splice occurs when YOU are trying to separate two or more trying to separate two or more independent clause by using a independent clause by using a comma.comma.

Example:Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of - Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, it is a time to celebrate the the year, it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

How do I correct run-ons and How do I correct run-ons and comma splices??comma splices??

You can correct run-ons and comma splices like this…You can correct run-ons and comma splices like this… By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. and a commaBy using a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. and a comma By using a semicolon ( ; ) REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, By using a semicolon ( ; ) REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon,

make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.thought.

A conjunctive adverb with a semi-colonA conjunctive adverb with a semi-colon Example of a corrected run-onExample of a corrected run-on

-Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year; it is a -Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year; it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrim and Indian first dinner.time to celebrate the Pilgrim and Indian first dinner.

Example of a corrected comma spliceExample of a corrected comma spliceThanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a

time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

Simple sentenceSimple sentence

A simple sentence contains one A simple sentence contains one independent clause and NO independent clause and NO subordinate clause.subordinate clause.

Example:Example:Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the

year.year.A simple sentence is NOT..A simple sentence is NOT..

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year that my family loves.that my family loves.

Compound sentenceCompound sentence

A compound sentence contains two or A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and NO more independent clauses and NO subordinate clause.subordinate clause.

Example:Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the - Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a time to celebrate the year, and it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

-This is NOT a compound sentence..-This is NOT a compound sentence..

- During Thanksgiving, my family - During Thanksgiving, my family cooks and cooks and eats dinner with friends.eats dinner with friends.

Punctuating compound Punctuating compound sentencessentences

You can punctuate compound You can punctuate compound sentences 3 ways:sentences 3 ways:By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y. and a commaBy using a F.A.N.B.O.Y. and a commaBy using a semicolon ( ; ) By using a semicolon ( ; )

REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.choppy thought.

Using a conjunctive adverbUsing a conjunctive adverb

Punctuating Compound Punctuating Compound SentencesSentences

Remember, you can use a Remember, you can use a conjunctive adverb to separate a conjunctive adverb to separate a compound sentence.compound sentence.Hint- Conjunctive adverbs are normally Hint- Conjunctive adverbs are normally

transition words.transition words.Example:Example:

Uncle James plays in a rock band; Uncle James plays in a rock band; however, they still play in their garage.however, they still play in their garage.

Examples for using Examples for using semicolonssemicolons

It is suppose to rain today; in fact, it It is suppose to rain today; in fact, it may rain all nightmay rain all night

It will rain today, and it will rain It will rain today, and it will rain tomorrow.tomorrow.

The weather man has forecasted it The weather man has forecasted it rain; it may flood. (correct)rain; it may flood. (correct)

The weather man has forecasted it The weather man has forecasted it rain; it flooded in Memphis. (incorrect)rain; it flooded in Memphis. (incorrect)

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.subordinate clause.

ExampleExampleBecause of the rainBecause of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair , Mrs. Paige’s hair

was frizzy all day.was frizzy all day.

Complex sentenceComplex sentence

A complex sentence will have one of A complex sentence will have one of the following subordinate clauses:the following subordinate clauses:Noun clause- Noun clause- Whomever did not take Whomever did not take

notes on Fridaynotes on Friday will take notes on will take notes on Monday.Monday.

Adjective clause- I wore a shirt Adjective clause- I wore a shirt that has that has multiple colorsmultiple colors..

Adverb Clause- I will go walking Adverb Clause- I will go walking after after the storm.the storm.

Compound-Complex sentenceCompound-Complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clauses and at least one subordinate clause.clause.

ExampleExampleBecause of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair Because of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair

was frizzy all day; therefore, she placed was frizzy all day; therefore, she placed her hair into a ponytail.her hair into a ponytail.