Transcript Fragments and Run-Ons

Fragments
and Run-Ons
Identifying and
Correcting
Sentence Errors
 Les Hanson 2002
Introduction
 This presentation explains the
following grammatical concepts:
 Clauses
(dependent and independent)
 Sentences
 Fragments
 Run-Ons
 Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs
Clauses
 A clause is a group of words with a
subject and a verb
Subject
You
Sally
Verb
stink.
is talking.
 Most clauses have further information
after the verb
Subject
I
Verb
hate
grammar.
Sally
is talking
loudly to her friends.
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
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
Fragments
 Fragments look like sentences but
are missing a subject or a verb, or
they are put together incorrectly.
Fragment
Told everyone to get out
of the way.
Disposable lighter in his
hand.
Error
No subject
Before he lit the fuse.
A dependent
clause by itself
No verb
Correcting Fragments
 Subjects or verbs can be added…
 Fragments can be joined together…
 Phrases and clauses can be moved around…
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.
Run-ons
 Run-ons (fused sentences) occur when
clauses are joined incorrectly.
Run-on
The fuse burned too quickly before he could
throw it the explosive blew up between his legs.
Comma
splice
He didn’t throw the firecracker, he placed it
between his legs, he wanted to put the lighter
away first.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
1. Join the clauses with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
He wanted to put the lighter away first, so Fred
placed the firecracker between his legs, and he
didn’t throw it right away.
2. Join the clauses with a subordinating
conjunction (AWUBIST)

because, although, if, when, since, after…
Because the fuse burned too quickly before he could
throw it, the explosive blew up between his legs.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
3. Make the clauses into separate
sentences
X 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. We all
expected to see a bloody mess when the
smoke cleared.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
4. 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
X 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
Correct the following
1.
Fred managed to make it home and change his
clothes 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.
Correct the following
1.
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.
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.
3.