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
Fred 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
Fred filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder because he wanted to make his own firecrackers. Or
Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers, Fred 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
Told everyone to get out of the way.
No subject
Disposable lighter in his hand.
No verb
Before he lit the fuse.
A dependent clause by itself

7. Correcting Fragments Subjects or verbs can be added
Fragments can be joined together
All of the following are correct
With his disposable lighter in his hand, he told everyone to get out of the way. Then he lit the fuse.
Pulling out his disposable lighter, Fred told everyone to get out of the way before he lit the fuse.
He pulled out his disposable lighter. Fred told everyone to get out of the way and then he lit the fuse.

8. Run-ons
Run-ons (fused sentences) occur when clauses are joined incorrectly.
He didn’t throw the firecracker, he placed it between his legs, he wanted to put the lighter away first.
Comma splice
The fuse burned too quickly before he could throw it the explosive blew up between his legs.
Run-on

9. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
Join the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction
And, or, but, so, yet
He wanted to put the lighter away first, so Fred placed the firecracker between his legs, and he didn’t throw it.
Join the clauses with a subordinating conjunction
Because, although, if, when, since, after
Because the fuse burned too quickly before he could throw it, the explosive blew up between his legs.

10. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
Make the clauses into separate sentences
Fred fell down screaming when the smoke cleared we all expected to see a bloody mess.
Fred fell down screaming. The smoke cleared. We all expected to see a bloody mess.
Fred fell down screaming. When the smoke cleared, we all expected to see a bloody mess.

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:
however, for example, therefore, moreover, indeed, consequently
Fred hadn’t taped the tube properly and most of the force was released out the ends of the tube the explosion did direct some pressure against his groin.
Fred hadn’t taped the tube well and most of the force was released out the ends of the tube; however, the explosion did direct some pressure against his groin.
Notice how the sentence is punctuated

12. Correct the following
Fred managed to make it home and change his clothes, and he told his parents he fell off his bicycle, he avoided punishment for playing with explosives.
Fred 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.
Fred 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.
I left town shortly after. Didn’t see him again for five years.
I left town shortly after and didn’t see him again for five years.

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