1. MAKING the SENTENCE: Clauses, Fragments, & Run-Ons

2. Clause – a group of words with a subject and a verb
There are 2 types:
Independent Clause
a clause that stands alone as a complete sentence; expresses a complete thought
Dependent Clause
a clause that can NOT stand alone as a complete sentence

3. Examples: The boy did homework right after school.
(INDEPENDENT CLAUSE)
Instead of playing video games.
(DEPENDENT CLAUSE)

4. What is a fragment ? A fragment is an incomplete piece of a sentence.
It is a DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
A fragment is missing …
a subject
a verb (or BOTH)
a complete thought/idea

5. Common Fragment Errors
A fragment occurs when trying to make a DEPENDENT CLAUSE stand on its own!
You can NOT do this!
Examples:
When getting out early from school.
Instead of playing video games.
What is missing?

6. Common Fragment Errors
Way to Fix:
Attach it to an INDEPENDENT clause
Corrected:
When getting out early from school, we go to the park to play basketball. OR
The boy did homework right after school instead of playing video games.

7. Common Fragment Errors
Way to Fix:
IF the DEPENDENT clause comes FIRST, then use a comma
If the DEPENDENT clause comes SECOND, then do NOT use a comma
Corrected:
Instead of playing video games, the boy did homework right after school. (COMMA) OR
The boy did homework right after school instead of playing video games. (NO COMMA)

8. What is a run-on ?
A run-on is two (or more) INDEPENDENT CLAUSES connected with incorrect (or no) punctuation.
It is when multiple ideas in a sentence are “run-on” together without proper punctuation.

9. COMMA SPLICE. Common Run-On Errors
The most common run-on occurs when connecting two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES with only a comma!
This is called a
COMMA SPLICE.

10. Common Run-On Errors
Comma Splice Example (comma only):
The Bears lost again this weekend, they have too many injuries.
Other Run-On Example (no punctuation):
The Bears lost again this weekend they have too many injuries I think they still make the playoffs.

11. Common Run-On Errors Make separate sentences
Ways to Fix:
Make separate sentences
Add an appropriate coordinating conjunction after a comma
Replace the comma with a semi-colon

12. Common Run-On Errors Possible Corrections:
The Bears lost again this weekend. They have too many injuries.
The Bears lost again this weekend. They have too many injuries, but I still think they make the playoffs.
The Bears lost again this weekend; they have too many injuries.