1. Fragments, Run Ons, and Comma Splices
English B60
Fragments, Run Ons, and Comma Splices

2. Phrases and Clauses
A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb; thus, it can never be a complete sentence.
To the movies (prepositional phrase)
Going to call (verb phrase)
The green and white blanket (noun phrase)
A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb. There are two types
Independent clauses can stand alone as complete sentences.
The black and white dog barked angrily at the mailman.
Dependent clauses can not stand alone because they do not contain complete thoughts; they are often started by a subordinating conjunction.
Even though she is my best friend

3. Fragments What is a sentence fragment?
A fragment is a sentence that is incomplete. It might be missing a subject, a verb, or an complete thought.
I tripped and twisted my ankle. Running for the bus.
The second sentence, “Running for the bus,” contains a verb but no subject.
The patient displayed symptoms of ALS. A neurodegenerative disease.
The second sentence, “A neurodegenerative disease” contains what could be a subject, but no verb
Americans have come to fear the West Nile virus. Because it is transmitted by the common mosquito.
The second sentence starts with “Because”, subordinating conjunction, and is therefore a dependent clause.

4. Recognizing Fragments
Is there a verb?  No  It is a fragment Yes Is there a subject?  No  It is a fragment Is the word group a dependent clause (a group of words with a subject and verb that begins with a subordinate conjunction like “Because”?  Yes  It is a fragment No It is a sentence

5. Correcting Fragments
You might choose to add in the missing subject or verb to correct your sentence.
Very likely, however, you can simply combine your sentence with the previous or following sentence to correct the issue. Here are corrections of our previous example sentences.
I tripped and twisted my ankle while running for the bus.
The patient displayed symptoms of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease.
Americans have come to fear the West Nile virus because it is transmitted by the common mosquito.

6. Run Ons and Comma Splices
A run on consists of two or more independent clauses that have been joined together with no punctuation between them.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthma sufferers.
A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that have been joined together with only a comma when more is needed.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans, it can be deadly for asthma sufferers.

7. Identifying Run-ons and Comma Splices
You need to be able to distinguish between independent and dependent clauses to be able to identify run ons and comma splices.
Remember that all clauses contain subjects and verbs
Dependent clauses cannot stand alone because they begin with subordinating conjunctions
Before you leave
After we watch the movie
Since she worked so hard
Independent clauses can stand alone because they contain a complete thought
The class started late.
We both decided it would be best to take a break.
The child cried for his mother.
When you have two or more independent clauses together, they need to be joined correctly, with more than just a comma.

8. Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices
There are four basic means of correcting run-ons and comma splices
1. Add a period and create two separate sentences.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans. It can be deadly for asthma sufferers.
2. Add a semicolon to combine two closely related clauses.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans; it can be deadly for asthma sufferers.
3. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction between the two clauses.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans, but it can be deadly for asthma sufferers.
4. Add a subordinating conjunction to the front of one of the clauses, making it dependent.
While air pollution poses risks to all humans, it can be deadly for asthma sufferers.