Identifying Fragments and Run-On Sentences Fragments and run on sentences are considered one of the four major errors in writing. Next week we will be taking our first practice ACT and standardized test makers love plopping run on sentences and fragments into paragraphs and checking whether you can identify these as grammatically incorrect. We’ve learned the 5 basic requirements of a complete sentence, we’ve discussed the different types of sentences, now lets take things a step further and learn to identify errors in sentence structure and how to fix them. Avoiding major errors in writing

Which is a sentence fragment, complete sentence, and a run-on? A. Cedric sneezed. B. Because Cedric sneezed in the middle of the opera, just when the main character removed that helmet with the little horns from on top of her head. C. Cedric sneezed, I pulled out a handkerchief. Sentence A is complete. Sentence B is not really a sentence; it’s a fragment with no complete idea. Sentence C is a type of run-on sentence called a comma splice because it contains two complete thoughts joined only by a comma.

What is a sentence fragment? A fragment is a group of words that might lack a subject or a verb and does not make a complete thought. This error often occurs when the fragment is actually an extension of a previous or following sentence. It can be a phrase or dependent clause that is treated as though it were a sentence (it begins with a capital letter and ends with a period).

Examples of Fragments During the trial. This sentence is a fragment since there is no subject, verb, or complete thought. Vicki running next to her sister. This sentence is another fragment because, though it has a subject, (Vicki), and possibly a verb (running), the group of words does not make a complete thought, Thus, it is not a sentence. Why are these sentences fragments? Sometimes a fragment is a dependent clause.

Fixing fragments: Solution 1 Connect the fragment to a surrounding sentence if the fragment is an extension of that idea. Fragment: George skips lunch everyday. To go swimming. Revised: George skips lunch everyday to go swimming. What is the fragment? “To go swimming” is a fragment because it does not have a subject or a true verb.

Fixing fragments: Solution 1 I plan to major in business. Although my parents want me to major in chemistry and eventually become a doctor. I plan to major in business, although my parents want me to major in chemistry and eventually become a doctor. Last year I went to Cancun, Mexico. A neat city with great beaches. Last year I went to Cancun, Mexico, a neat city with great beaches.

Fixing fragments: Solution 2 Add the missing subject or verb to the sentence. Fragment: Also needs a family counselor. Revised: The Johnson family also needs a family counselor. What is wrong with this sentence? It is missing a subject. Who or what needs a family counselor?

Fixing fragments: Solution 2 The new policy of health care coverage on the basis of hours worked each week. The new policy provides health care coverage on the basis of hours worked each week. The car speeding down the road. The car was speeding down the road. What is this sentence missing? Missing verb. What does the new policy do? Second sentences is missing a helping verb. Remember, verbs in the –ing form and the infinitive form can never act alone as the verb in the sentence. They require a helping verb to make the verb complete. Without a helping verb, we have a fragment.

What is a run-on? - A run-on occurs when two sentences are run together without the proper punctuation and/or connecting words.

There are two types of run-ons: Fused Sentence: Occurs when two sentences are written together without any punctuation at all. Joe was happy about the raise he felt like celebrating. Comma Splice: Occurs when a comma is used between two sentences without any connecting words (such as FANBOYS) Joe was happy about the raise, he felt like celebrating.

Fixing run-ons Joe was happy about the raise he felt like celebrating. Solution 1: A run-on may be corrected by putting a period between the sentences. Joe was happy about the raise. He felt like celebrating. There are several ways to correct run-ons. These are the most common ways.

Fixing run-ons Joe was happy about the raise he felt like celebrating. Solution 2: A run-on may be corrected by connecting two related sentences with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction: FANBOYS Joe was happy about the raise, so he felt like celebrating. Solution 3: A run-on may be corrected by connecting two related sentences with a semicolon only. Joe was happy about the raise; he felt like celebrating. What kind of sentence is this? Compound

Joe was happy about the raise; consequently, he felt like celebrating. Fixing run-ons Solution 4: A run-on may be corrected by connecting two related sentences with a semicolon and a transition word or phrase, such as the following: however, therefore, thus, then, as a result, consequently, nevertheless, also, on the other hand, for instance, in contrast, etc. Joe was happy about the raise; consequently, he felt like celebrating. Conjunctive adverbs

Fixing run-ons Solution 5: A run-on may be corrected by adding a dependent clause signal word to create a complex sentence. Common signal words include the following: because, if, although, when, who, which, etc. Because Joe was happy about the raise, he felt like celebrating. Joe, who was happy about the raise, felt like celebrating. Subordinator / dependent marker words OR relative pronouns (who, that, which)