Transcript run-ons, fragments and semicolons

WHAT IS A CLAUSE?
The smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete thought
(a basic sentence).
Sentences may consist of multiple clauses.
Every sentence must:
a) Express at least one (1) clear thought about a subject.
b) Contain a subject and a verb.
1.
SUBJECT
The ‘noun’ part of the sentence/clause.
The verb refers to this noun.
2.
VERB
Modifies the noun by indicating an action.
The refrigerator hummed through the night.
WHAT IS A CLAUSE?
If a sentence contains more than one subject and more than one verb,
these are called compound subjects or verbs.
They must be joined by a conjunction.
Basic clause:
Kate hugged James.
Compound subjects:
Kate and Sally hugged James.
Compound verbs:
Kate hugged and kissed James.
SENTENCES, FRAGMENTS
AND
RUN-ONS
A sentence
is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
You should use complete sentences when you write in English.
For example: Leah and I went to the park.
A fragment is a group of words that does not for a complete
sentence. You should avoid using fragments in your writing.
For example: Went to the park.
A run-on sentence has a group of words that should be complete
sentences, but they are combined into one long sentence without
proper punctuation. You should avoid writing run-on sentences.
For example: I went to the park with Leah we had a terrific time.
Are the following sentences, fragments
or
run-ons?
1. I can't wait until Sunday we are going to a football game.
2. The tall man with the yellow hat.
3. A scared rabbit ran across the yard.
4. Drove quickly down the busy street.
5. I ate four slices of pizza Harry ate three chicken wings.
6. The clock in the kitchen stopped working.
7. At three o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
More about run-on sentences…
A run-on sentence is a sentence with at least two independent clauses
(complete thoughts) which are forced together, instead of being properly
connected.
If read aloud, most readers should hear the natural break in the sentence, and
an incorrect sentence may sound unnatural. This is why proof-reading your work
aloud can help you pick up on such errors.
For example
Run-on sentence: He put on some sunscreen, the sun was so extremely hot, he
wanted to go inside.
FIRST (1ST) CLAUSE:
“He put on some sunscreen”
SECOND (2ND) CLAUSE:
“the sun was so extremely hot”
THIRD (3RD) CLAUSE:
“he wanted to go inside”
To correct a run-on
You can separate the clauses (thoughts)
sentence…(OPTION
1)using punctuation.
However, don’t think that a comma is the answer to all your problems! A comma,
by itself, is not enough to correctly join two separate clauses. If only a
comma is used to connect two complete sentences, the writer has created a
‘comma splice.’ When connecting two complete sentences in this way, one must
include a comma after the end of the first sentence and a coordinating conjunction
like ‘and,’ ‘but,’ or ‘or.’
INCORRECT:
The hammer in Tom’s hand was very heavy, he did not want to drop it.
CORRECT:
The hammer in Tom’s hand was very heavy, but he did not want to drop it.
If you’re looking for a handy punctuation mark, try using a semi-colon (;) to fix a
run-on.
To correct a run-on
You
can separate the clauses (thoughts)2)
using a coordinating conjunction.
sentence…(OPTION
For presents a reason  "He is gambling with his health, for he has been
smoking far too long.“
And presents non-contrasting item(s) or idea(s)  "They gamble, and they
smoke."
Nor presents a non-contrasting negative idea  "They do not gamble, nor do
they smoke."
But presents a contrast or exception  "They gamble, but they don't smoke."
Or presents an alternative item or idea  "Every day, they gamble, or they
smoke."
Yet presents a contrast or exception  "They gamble, yet they don't smoke."
So presents a consequence  "He gambled well last night, so he smoked a
cigar to celebrate."
To correct a run-on sentence…
(OPTION 2)
NOTE:
Transition words (adverbs) such as however, therefore, consequently, thus,
etc., do not work as coordinating conjunctions.
If you choose to use these to connect two clauses, you should separate the
independent sentences with a semi-colon.
For example: “They gamble frequently; however, they do not smoke.”
To correct a run-on sentence…
(OPTION
You
can rearrange3)
the sentence (adding or remove words to make an
independent sentence).
INCORRECT:
• The hammer in Tom’s hand was very heavy, he did not want to drop it.
CORRECT:
• Although the hammer in Tom’s hand was very heavy, he did not want to drop it.
Applying your knowledge…
Now it’s time to try your hand at correcting some run-on sentences.
Try using one of the following three methods:
1.
Separate the clauses (thoughts) using punctuation.
2.
Separate the clauses (thoughts) using a coordinating
conjunction.
3.
Rearrange the sentence (adding or remove words to make an
independent sentence).
TIP:
Read the sentence aloud to see if you can identify the two independent
clauses.
Applying your knowledge…
1. She was late for the party her car would not start.
2. The restaurant serves the best lasagne I begin drooling when I think
about the delectable dish.
3. My niece dumped her bowl of spaghetti on the floor while I was
babysitting her this meant that I would have to clean it up before her
parents arrived home.
4. Even though I was not very hungry, I ate lunch my appetite should
return in time for dinner though.
Applying your knowledge…
5. When the teacher returned my essay I was shocked I had received an A+.
6. I was unable to make my appointment, however I was able to
reschedule.
7. Amber was a very busy lawyer therefore her work left her little time to
exercise her dog Sonny, who was getting fat and sluggish.
A semi-colon belongs in each of these
1.sentences…
It is raining outside I will bring my umbrella with me.
2. Hopefully, the weather will change soon otherwise, the whole summer
will go by without the sun shining.
3. Some universities offer full time scholarships others do not.
4. He doesn't understand algebra therefore, he will probably not pass the
Math test.
5. We will play tennis tomorrow then we will go out for dinner.