COMMA SPLICE VS. FRAGMENT Anna Weis

Comma Splices and Fragments  Comma splices and fragments are among the most common writing errors.  In addition to being grammatically incorrect, both comma splices and fragments lead to incoherent sentences, which impedes thought and causes loss of purpose and flow.

Fragment  A fragment is a group of words used as a sentence, but it is not a sentence. It either lacks a subject, a verb, or some other essential part to a sentence. That missing part makes it incomplete.

Examples  #1- Milk all over the table.  This phrase lacks a verb. To make it a proper sentence one might add spilled. “Milk spilled all over the table.”  #2- When I walk to the store.  This clause does not convey a complete thought. What happened when you took a walk? To correct add “When I walk to the store, I always pass my neighbors house.”

Furthermore  Another way to correct a fragment is to combine the fragment into a previous sentence.  Example: Bob asked, “Is that the Big Ben?” Pointing at the tall building in front of him.  CORRECTION: Pointing at the tall building in front of him, Ben asked, “is that Big Ben?”

Take Away  When checking for fragments:  Look for a verb.  Look for a subject.  Look for subordinating conjunctions (when, while, because, etc.) or relative pronouns (who, which, that). Subordinating conjunctions are used to construct dependent adverbial clauses; relative pronouns are used to construct dependent adjectival clauses. If you suspect a passage is a fragment, the presence of these words will likely prove it is.

Comma Splices  A comma splice is when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma. This comma is not enough: a period, semicolon, or conjunction is needed.

Examples  The dog was lying in the hot sun for hours, he began to sweat and show signs of dehydration.  Correction: The dog was lying in the hot sun for hours, and he began to sweat and show signs of dehydration (coordination conjunction added)  Malcolm X was a very controversial leader in the sixties, many disagreed with his radical ideas.  Correction: add semicolon

Take Away  How to identify comma splices and fused sentences:  Look for sentences which explain, expand an idea, or link an example to an idea. Often these are fused.  Using pronouns like he, she, they, it, this, or that in the same sentence as the antecedent usually signals a fused sentence or comma splice.  Look for conjunctive adverbs (however, furthermore, thus, therefore, etc.) and transitional expressions (for example, on the other hand) often signal fused sentences or comma splices.

QUIZ TIME!

Work Cited  Sebranek, Patrick, Verne Meyer, and Dave Kemper. Writers Inc. Burlington, WI: Write Source Educational Pub. House, Print.