1. Fragments, Run-Ons, & Comma Splices

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Fragments Here are some of the most common. Dependent Clause
Relative Clause
-ing Modifier
Prepositional Phrase
Appositive
Infinitive

5. 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.

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Fragments Fragments may be corrected in 2 different ways.
Add words to complete the sentence.
Connect the fragment to the sentence before or after it.

12. Fragments 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.

13. Fragments 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.

14. 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.

15. It’s Your Turn! Here are some possibilities:
I know I have made the right decision when I come to the Writing Center. I always get help on my essays.
When I come to the Writing Center, I always get help on my essays.

16. 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.

17. Run-Ons Run-ons may be corrected in 5 different ways. Use a period.
Use a semicolon.
Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.
Use a comma and coordinating conjunction.
Use a subordinating conjunction.

18. Run-Ons
Use a period.
There are organizations available for almost any interest. I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

19. Run-Ons 2. Use a semicolon.
There are organizations available for almost any interest; I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

20. Run-Ons
3. 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.

21. Run-Ons
4. 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.

22. Run-Ons
5. 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.

23. 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.

24. It’s Your Turn! Here are some possibilities:
I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center. My tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; therefore, my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center, so my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.
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.

25. 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.

26. Comma Splices Comma splices may be corrected the same way as run-ons.
Use a period.
Use a semicolon.
Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.
Use a comma and coordinating conjunction.
Use a subordinating conjunction.

27. Comma Splices Use a period.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society. I plan to work hard so I may join them.

28. Comma Splices 2. Use a semicolon.
Several of my classmates are in an honor society; I plan to work hard so I may join them.

29. Comma Splices
3. 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.

30. Comma Splices
4. 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.

31. Comma Splices
5. 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.

32. 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.

33. It’s Your Turn! Here are 5 possibilities:
I take all of my papers to the Writing Center. I tell my classmates to do the same.
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.

34. Don’t forget: print the handout that goes with this presentation
Don’t forget: print the handout that goes with this presentation! Please complete a survey on this tutorial. 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 to make an appointment.