1. Identifying and Correcting Sentence Errors
Fragments and Run-Ons
Identifying and Correcting Sentence Errors
 Les Hanson 2002

2. Introduction
This presentation explains the following grammatical concepts:
Clauses (dependent and independent)
Sentences
Fragments
Run-Ons
Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs

3. Clauses A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb
You
stink.
Sally
is talking.
Most clauses have further information after the verb
Subject
Verb I
hate
grammar
Sally
is talking
loudly

4. Two Types of Clauses Independent clause (Main clause)
Can stand alone as a sentence
Can be joined to another clause
Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder.
Dependent clause (Subordinate clause)
Cannot stand alone as a sentence
Must be joined to an independent clause
Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers.
A word that joins clauses is a conjunction

5. Joining Clauses
A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause to make a sentence
Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder because he wanted to make his own firecrackers. Or
Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers, Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder.
When the sentence starts with the dependent clause, it must have a comma before the independent clause

6. Fragments
Fragments look like sentences but are missing a subject or a verb, or they are put together incorrectly.
Fragment
Error
Running the ball all the way to the end zone!
No subject
Marie the best skater in the class.
No verb
Before Jameson lit the fuse.
A dependent clause by itself

7. Correcting Fragments Subjects or verbs can be added
Joseph is running the ball all the way into the end zone.
Marie, the best skater in the class, went on to win the gold medal in the 2022 North Pole Olympics.
Fragments can be joined together
Incorrect! Kolton first saw the snakes, and he and Bobby battled them bravely. But Mr. Wyatt ran away shrieking.
Correct: Kolton first saw the snakes, and he and Bobby battled them bravely, but Mr. Wyatt ran away shrieking.

8. Run-ons
Run-ons (fused sentences) occur when clauses are joined incorrectly.
While camping, Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean, he always made Jake do it.
Comma splice
Nicholson yelled, “Stairs!” everyone heard, “Bears!” and went running off into the opposite direction.
Run-on

9. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
Join the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction
And, or, but, so, yet
While camping, Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean, so he always made Jake do it.
Join the clauses with a subordinating conjunction
Because, although, if, when, since, after, etc.
Because Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean while camping, he always made Jake do it.

10. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
Make the clauses into separate sentences
The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car.
The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop contest at AT because of their super knowledge of physics. They used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car.

11. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
Join two independent clauses with a semicolon (;)if they are closely related.
You may include a conjunctive adverb along with the semicolon:
Conjunctive Adverbs: however, for example, therefore, moreover, indeed, consequently, etc.
The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car.
The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics; additionally, they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car. .
Notice how the sentence is punctuated

12. Correct the following
Mr. Wyatt managed to make it home and change his clothes, and he told his parents a dog bit off his foot, he avoided punishment for playing with explosives.
Mr. W. managed to make it home and change his clothes. He told his parents he fell off his bicycle, thus avoiding punishment for playing with explosives.
Mr. W. managed to make it home. He changed his clothes and told his parents that he fell off his bicycle. He avoided punishment for playing with explosives.
Mr. W. left town shortly after. Didn’t see him again for five years.
Mr. Wyatt left town shortly after, I and didn’t see him again for five years.

13. Correct the following
Took a trip home last summer. I ran into Mr. W. after my long absence he is unable to play soccer. Didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers.
During a trip home last summer, I ran into Mr. W. after a long absence. He is unable to play soccer. I didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers.
After a long absence, I took a trip home last summer. I ran into Mr. W., who is unable to play soccer. I didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers.

14. Interactive Exercise
You can get further practise by clicking the button below or by following the link to the interactive exercise