Fragments, Run-Ons, & Comma Splices
Fragments, Run-ons, & comma splices
Fragments, run-ons, and comma splices are often considered major errors because they obstruct your writing and confuse your reader.
However, they are easily corrected.
Fragments
A fragment is an incomplete sentence, meaning is it missing a subject and/or verb and/or it is an incomplete thought.
There are several types of fragments.
Fragments
Here are some of the most common.
• Dependent Clause• Relative Clause • -ing Modifier• Prepositional Phrase• Appositive• Infinitive
Fragments
• Dependent Clause
Because I had a roommate I already knew.
This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (I) and a verb (had), it does not express a complete thought.
Fragments• Relative Clause
Who was my roommate my freshman year.
This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (Who) and a verb (was), it does not express a complete thought. It would, however, be correct as a question: Who was my roommate my freshman year?
Fragments
• -ing Modifier
Living with a roommate.
This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.
Fragments
• Prepositional Phrase
In the same room.
This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.
Fragments
• Appositive
My roommate.
This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (roommate), it has no verb and does not express a complete thought.
Fragments
• Infinitive
To live with a roommate.
This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.
FragmentsFragments may be corrected in 2 different ways.
1. Add words to complete the sentence. 2. Connect the fragment to the sentence
before or after it.
Fragments
1. Add words to complete the sentence.
Fragment: Who was my roommate my freshman year.
Sentence: Adrian, who was my roommate my freshman year, never took out the garbage.
Fragments2. Connect the fragment to the sentence
before or after it.
Fragment: I knew that my living arrangement was not the worst. Because I had a roommate I already knew.
Sentence: I knew that my living arrangement was not the worst because I had a roommate I already knew.
It’s Your Turn!Correct the fragment in 2 different ways:
When I come to the Writing Center. I always get help on my essays.
It’s Your Turn!Here are some possibilities:
1. I know I have made the right decision when I come to the Writing Center. I always get help on my essays.
2. When I come to the Writing Center, I always get help on my essays.
Run-Ons
Joining two independent clauses without any punctuation creates a run-on (or fused sentence).
Example: There are organizations available for almost any interest I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
Run-OnsRun-ons may be corrected in 5 different ways.
1. Use a period.2. Use a semicolon.3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive
adverb. 4. Use a comma and coordinating
conjunction. 5. Use a subordinating conjunction.
Run-Ons1. Use a period.
There are organizations available for almost any interest. I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
Run-Ons2. Use a semicolon.
There are organizations available for almost any interest; I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
Run-Ons3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.
There are organizations available for almost any interest; thus, I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
Run-Ons4. Use a comma and coordinating
conjunction.
There are organizations available for almost any interest, so I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
Run-Ons5. Use a subordinating conjunction.
Because there are organizations available for almost any interest, I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.
It’s Your Turn!Correct the run-on in 5 different ways:
I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
It’s Your Turn!Here are some possibilities:
1. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center. My tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
2. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
3. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; therefore, my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
4. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center, so my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
5. As long as I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center, my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
Comma Splices
Joining two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction creates a comma splice.
Example: Several of my classmates are in an honor society, I plan to work hard so I may join them.
Comma SplicesComma splices may be corrected the same way as run-ons.1. Use a period.2. Use a semicolon.3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive
adverb. 4. Use a comma and coordinating
conjunction. 5. Use a subordinating conjunction.
Comma Splices1. Use a period.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society. I plan to work hard so I may join them.
Comma Splices2. Use a semicolon.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society; I plan to work hard so I may join them.
Comma Splices3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society; indeed, I plan to work hard so I may join them.
Comma Splices4. Use a comma and coordinating
conjunction.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society, and I plan to work hard so I may join them.
Comma Splices5. Use a subordinating conjunction.
Now that several of my classmates are in an honor society, I plan to work hard so I may join them.
It’s Your Turn!Correct the comma splice in 5 different
ways:
I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, I tell my classmates to do the same.
It’s Your Turn!Here are 5 possibilities:
1. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center. I tell my classmates to do the same.
2. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center; I tell my classmates to do the same.
3. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center; furthermore, I tell my classmates to do the same.
4. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, and I tell my classmates to do the same.
5. When I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, I tell my classmates to do the same.
Don’t forget: print the handout that goes with this presentation!
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For more information about fragments, run-ons, and comma splices or for help with other writing concerns, come to TSU’s Writing Center.
Visit room 300 in the Learning Resources Center or call 615.963.5102 to make an appointment.
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