Common Sentence ErrorsCommon Sentence Errors

- Comma Splices (CS)Comma Splices (CS)- Run-On Sentences (RO)Run-On Sentences (RO)- Sentence Fragments (Frag.)Sentence Fragments (Frag.)

What is a Comma Splice (CS)?What is a Comma Splice (CS)?

A A comma splicecomma splice is a sentence with is a sentence with at least two independent clauses at least two independent clauses joined joined onlyonly by a comma by a comma

There is no conjunction or proper There is no conjunction or proper transition separate the independent transition separate the independent clausesclauses

What is a Run-On (RO)?What is a Run-On (RO)?

A A run-on sentencerun-on sentence is a sentence with at is a sentence with at least two least two independent clausesindependent clauses with with no no punctuationpunctuation to separate the clauses to separate the clauses

Readers can’t tell where one clause ends Readers can’t tell where one clause ends and the next one begins. It just keeps and the next one begins. It just keeps going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going...going...

Also called a Also called a fused sentencefused sentence..

Examples of Independent Clauses (IC)Examples of Independent Clauses (IC)

The boy walked to school. The boy walked to school. He arrived at 9:00 a.m.He arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery store.Sarah needed to go to the grocery store. She had to buy eggs to make breakfast.She had to buy eggs to make breakfast.

ICs Written as Comma SplicesICs Written as Comma Splices

The boy walked to The boy walked to school, heschool, he arrived at 9:00 a.m.arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store, shestore, she had to buy eggs to make had to buy eggs to make breakfast.breakfast.

ICs Written as Run-OnsICs Written as Run-Ons

The boy walked to The boy walked to school heschool he arrived arrived at 9:00 a.m.at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store shestore she had to buy eggs to make had to buy eggs to make breakfast.breakfast.

Ways to Fix These Errors…Ways to Fix These Errors…

SIX WAYS SIX WAYS

TO FIX TO FIX

COMMA SPLICES AND RUN-COMMA SPLICES AND RUN-ONSONS

#1: Use a Transitional Expression#1: Use a Transitional Expression

Join the two clauses with semi-colon (;), transitional Join the two clauses with semi-colon (;), transitional expression, and a comma (,)expression, and a comma (,)

The boy walked to The boy walked to school; soon, heschool; soon, he arrived at arrived at 9:00 a.m.9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store; store; specifically, shespecifically, she had to buy eggs to make had to buy eggs to make breakfast.breakfast.

#2: Turn It into a Compound Sentence#2: Turn It into a Compound Sentence

Join the two clauses with a comma andJoin the two clauses with a comma and

a coordinating conjunction (a coordinating conjunction (and, but, and, but, or, or,

nor, for, so, yetnor, for, so, yet))

Just be sure to choose the Just be sure to choose the conjunction that conjunction that best expresses the best expresses the relationshiprelationship between the two clauses between the two clauses

#2 continued#2 continued

The boy walked to The boy walked to school, and school, and arrived at 9:00 a.m.arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store, so she could store, so she could buy eggs to buy eggs to make breakfast.make breakfast.

#3: Join the Two Clauses #3: Join the Two Clauses with a with a semi-colon (;)semi-colon (;)

The boy walked to The boy walked to school; he school; he arrived at 9:00 a.m.arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store; she store; she had tohad to buy eggs to buy eggs to make breakfast.make breakfast.

#4: Separate the Clauses into #4: Separate the Clauses into Two SentencesTwo Sentences

The boy walked to The boy walked to school. He school. He arrived at 9:00 a.m.arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Sarah needed to go to the grocery Sarah needed to go to the grocery store. She store. She had tohad to buy eggs to buy eggs to make breakfast.make breakfast.

#5: Turn One of the Clauses #5: Turn One of the Clauses into a into a Dependent Dependent ClauseClause

Since the boy walked to Since the boy walked to school,school, he arrived at 9:00 a.m. he arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Because she needed eggs to Because she needed eggs to make breakfast,make breakfast, Sarah needed to Sarah needed to go to the grocery store. go to the grocery store.

#6: Transform the Two Clauses into a #6: Transform the Two Clauses into a SingleSingle Independent Clause Independent Clause

Written as a CS/ROWritten as a CS/RO:: I realized that it I realized that it was time to was time to choose, Ichoose, I had to learn had to learn how to drive or I had to move back to how to drive or I had to move back to the city. the city.

Corrected:Corrected: I realized that it was time I realized that it was time to learn how to drive or moveto learn how to drive or move back to the city.back to the city.

What is a Sentence Fragment?What is a Sentence Fragment?

Fragments are Fragments are incomplete sentencesincomplete sentences. . Usually, they are pieces of sentences Usually, they are pieces of sentences

that have become disconnected from that have become disconnected from the main clause. the main clause.

Sometimes fragments are used Sometimes fragments are used intentionally for emphasisintentionally for emphasis

In formal, academic writing, however, In formal, academic writing, however, you want to mostly avoid fragments.you want to mostly avoid fragments.

A Complete Sentence…A Complete Sentence…

Names a Names a subjectsubject – the who or what – the who or what that performs the actionthat performs the action

Has a complete Has a complete verbverb that indicates that indicates tense, person, and number. tense, person, and number.

Includes at least one Includes at least one independent independent clauseclause and and does not begin with a does not begin with a subordinating wordsubordinating word (a word that (a word that connects a dependent clause to an connects a dependent clause to an independent clause)independent clause)

Examples of Complete Examples of Complete SentencesSentences

Simple Sentence—subject, verb, predicateSimple Sentence—subject, verb, predicateRebeccaRebecca studied studied in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz.in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz.SubjectSubject Verb Verb Predicate (expresses what is true Predicate (expresses what is true

about the subject)about the subject)

Compound Sentence—at least two independent clauses connected by a Compound Sentence—at least two independent clauses connected by a coordinator/connector wordcoordinator/connector wordRebecca Rebecca studied studied in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz,in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz, SubjectSubject VerbVerb PredicatePredicate

and and she she also wrote her paper.also wrote her paper.Connecting wordConnecting word SubjectSubject Predicate Predicate

Complex Sentence—one independent clause (main clause) and one dependent Complex Sentence—one independent clause (main clause) and one dependent clauseclauseRebecca Rebecca studied studied in the coffee shop for hours in the coffee shop for hours because because subjectsubject VerbVerb PredicatePredicate Subordinating word Subordinating word

(begins the dependent clause)(begins the dependent clause)

she she had had a chemistry quiz the next day.a chemistry quiz the next day.SubjectSubject VerbVerb PredicatePredicate

A Dependent Clause…A Dependent Clause… is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but

does not express a complete thought and cannot be a does not express a complete thought and cannot be a sentence.sentence.

Often you can identify a dependent clause because it Often you can identify a dependent clause because it begins with a connecting (conjunctive or subordinating) begins with a connecting (conjunctive or subordinating) word—see the “Connecting Word List” handout to learn word—see the “Connecting Word List” handout to learn what these words are.what these words are.

Because Because Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours.Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours.AlthoughAlthough Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. AndAnd Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours.

(The thoughts are incomplete—they are fragments of thoughts.)(The thoughts are incomplete—they are fragments of thoughts.)

Several Types of FragmentsSeveral Types of Fragments

Dependent clause fragmentsDependent clause fragmentsPhrase fragmentsPhrase fragmentsMixed constructionsMixed constructionsFragments that begin with transitionsFragments that begin with transitionsFragments that introduce examplesFragments that introduce examplesFragments that are appositivesFragments that are appositivesFragments that introduce listsFragments that introduce listsFragments with compound predicatesFragments with compound predicates

Dependent Clause FragmentsDependent Clause Fragments

These begin with a subordinating word. These begin with a subordinating word. (See the handout on “Connecting Words” (See the handout on “Connecting Words” for examples.) for examples.)

They can be easily fixed by attaching the They can be easily fixed by attaching the fragment to nearby independent clause fragment to nearby independent clause either either with a comma (,) or with a comma (,) or by creating two sentences by deleting the by creating two sentences by deleting the

subordinating word at the beginning of the subordinating word at the beginning of the dependent clause. dependent clause.

Fixing Dependent Clause Fixing Dependent Clause FragmentsFragments

Fragment: Fragment: MSU offers many engineering majors. MSU offers many engineering majors. Such asSuch as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

Revision: Revision: MSU offers many engineering majorsMSU offers many engineering majors, such as, such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

Fragment: Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. I need to find a new roommate. BecauseBecause the the one one I have now isn’t working out too well. I have now isn’t working out too well.

Revision: Revision: I need to find a new roommateI need to find a new roommate becausebecause the one the one I I have now isn’t working out too well. have now isn’t working out too well.

EXCEPTION: Never use a comma before the word “because.”EXCEPTION: Never use a comma before the word “because.”

Phrase FragmentsPhrase Fragments

Often fragments are phrase Often fragments are phrase fragments – groups of words that fragments – groups of words that lack a subject or complete verb and lack a subject or complete verb and are usually meant to be modifiers or are usually meant to be modifiers or nouns.nouns.

Phrase fragments usually begin with Phrase fragments usually begin with

verbalsverbals, or words that come from , or words that come from verbs, like verbs, like puttingputting (gerund) (gerund) or or to putto put (infinitive).(infinitive).

Fixing Phrase FragmentsFixing Phrase Fragments One way to fix this is to transform the phrase One way to fix this is to transform the phrase

fragment into an independent clause. fragment into an independent clause.

Fragment: Fragment: That summer we had so much fun. That summer we had so much fun. Fishing Fishing in the early morning, in the early morning,

splashing splashing in the lake after lunch, in the lake after lunch, exploring the exploring the woods before dinner, and woods before dinner, and playing playing Scrabble until bedtime. Scrabble until bedtime.

Revision: Revision: That summer we had so much fun. That summer we had so much fun. We We fishedfished in the early morning, in the early morning, splashedsplashed in in the lake after lunch, the lake after lunch, exploredexplored the the woods woods before dinner, and before dinner, and playedplayed Scrabble until Scrabble until bedtime.bedtime.

Fixing Phrase FragmentsFixing Phrase Fragments Another way to fix it is to attach the fragment to Another way to fix it is to attach the fragment to

the part of the previous sentence that it modifies. the part of the previous sentence that it modifies.

Fragment: Fragment: That summer we had so much fun. That summer we had so much fun. FishingFishing in the early morning, in the early morning,

splashing splashing in the lake after lunch, in the lake after lunch, exploring exploring the woods before dinner, the woods before dinner, and playing and playing Scrabble until bedtime. Scrabble until bedtime.

Revision: Revision: That summer we had so much That summer we had so much funfun,,fishingfishing in the early morning, splashing in the early morning, splashing

in in the lake after lunch, exploring the the lake after lunch, exploring the woods woods before dinner, and playing before dinner, and playing Scrabble until Scrabble until bedtime.bedtime.

Mixed Construction FragmentsMixed Construction Fragments

Mixed Constructions start out one way Mixed Constructions start out one way (often with long prepositional phrases) and (often with long prepositional phrases) and then end with a regular predicate. then end with a regular predicate.

Usually the object of the preposition (often Usually the object of the preposition (often a a gerundgerund, is intended as the subject of the , is intended as the subject of the sentence. sentence.

Therefore, Therefore, removing the preposition at the removing the preposition at the beginning of the sentence is usually the beginning of the sentence is usually the easiest way to fix the fragment erroreasiest way to fix the fragment error. .

Look for sentences that begin with Look for sentences that begin with prepositional phrases.prepositional phrases.

Fixing Mixed Construction FragmentsFixing Mixed Construction Fragments

(No subject; begins with preposition)(No subject; begins with preposition) Fragment: Fragment: WithWith the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the

product.product. Revision: Revision: TheThe ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the

product. product. (remove (remove the preposition “with”)the preposition “with”)

(No subject; begins with preposition)(No subject; begins with preposition) Fragment: Fragment: ByBy paying too much attention to disruptive students paying too much attention to disruptive students

can make a can make a teacher grumpy. teacher grumpy. Revision: Revision: PayingPaying too much attention to disruptive students can too much attention to disruptive students can

make make teacher grumpy. (remove the preposition “by”)teacher grumpy. (remove the preposition “by”)

(No subject; begins with preposition)(No subject; begins with preposition) Fragment: Fragment: ForFor doing photography for another newspaper got Phil doing photography for another newspaper got Phil

fired.fired. Revision:Revision: DoingDoing photography for another newspaper got Phil photography for another newspaper got Phil

fired. fired. (remove the preposition “for”)(remove the preposition “for”) Revision: Revision: Phil got firedPhil got fired for doing photography for another for doing photography for another

newspaper. newspaper. (rearrange the sentence)(rearrange the sentence)

Fragments that Begin with TransitionsFragments that Begin with Transitions

Word Groups that Start with TransitionsWord Groups that Start with Transitions

Some fragments start with two- or three-word prepositions Some fragments start with two- or three-word prepositions that function as transitions, like that function as transitions, like as well as, as compared as well as, as compared with, except for, in addition to, in contrast with, in spite of, with, except for, in addition to, in contrast with, in spite of, and and instead ofinstead of..

Fragment: Fragment: For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer spending spending has been both steep and steady. has been both steep and steady. As As compared withcompared with the growth in gross domestic the growth in gross domestic product (GDP), which has product (GDP), which has fluctuated significantly. fluctuated significantly.

Revision: Revision: For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer spending spending has been both steep and steadyhas been both steep and steady, as , as compared withcompared with the the growth in gross domestic growth in gross domestic product (GDP),product (GDP), which has which has fluctuated significantly. fluctuated significantly.

Fragments that Introduce ExamplesFragments that Introduce Examples

Words and Phrases that Introduce ExamplesWords and Phrases that Introduce Examples It is always a good idea to check words groups beginning It is always a good idea to check words groups beginning

with with for example, like, specifically, such as,for example, like, specifically, such as, etc.etc.

Fragment: Fragment: Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as a a princess. princess. For exampleFor example, falling out of favor , falling out of favor withwith

her sister, Queen Mary, and being imprisoned her sister, Queen Mary, and being imprisoned in in the Tower of London. the Tower of London.

Revision: Revision: Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as a a princess. For exampleprincess. For example, , she fellshe fell out of favor out of favor with with

her sister, Queen Mary, and her sister, Queen Mary, and waswas imprisoned imprisoned in in the Tower of London. the Tower of London.

Appositives as FragmentsAppositives as Fragments An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a noun or An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a noun or

pronoun.pronoun.

Fragment: Fragment: In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of troops in Vietnam. troops in Vietnam. A former French colony in A former French colony in southeast Asiasoutheast Asia. .

Revision: Revision: In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of troops in Vietnamtroops in Vietnam, a, a former French colony in former French colony in

southeast southeast Asia. Asia.

Fragment: Fragment: Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote “The Yellow Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Wallpaper.” A story with deep thoughts and A story with deep thoughts and

emotionsemotions. . Revision: Revision: Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote “The Yellow Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote “The Yellow

WallpaperWallpaper,” a,” a story with deep thoughts and story with deep thoughts and emotions. emotions.

List FragmentsList Fragments

Usually, you can connect a list to the preceding Usually, you can connect a list to the preceding sentence using a colon. If you want to emphasize sentence using a colon. If you want to emphasize the list, consider using a dash (em dash) instead. the list, consider using a dash (em dash) instead.

Fragment: Fragment: In the 1930s, three great band In the 1930s, three great band leaders helped popularize Jazz. leaders helped popularize Jazz.

LouisLouis Armstrong, Benny Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Goodman, and Duke Ellingtonand Duke Ellington. .

Revision: Revision: In the 1930s, three great band In the 1930s, three great band leaders helped popularize Jazzleaders helped popularize Jazz: : Louis Armstrong, Benny Louis Armstrong, Benny

Goodman, Goodman, and Duke Ellington. and Duke Ellington.

Fragments with Compound PredicatesFragments with Compound Predicates

A compound predicate is made up of at least two verbs as A compound predicate is made up of at least two verbs as well as their objects and modifiers, connected by a well as their objects and modifiers, connected by a coordinating conjunction such as coordinating conjunction such as and, but, so, or, nor, for, and, but, so, or, nor, for, and and yetyet. . The parts of the predicate The parts of the predicate have the same subjecthave the same subject and should be together in one sentence. and should be together in one sentence.

Fragment: Fragment: The group gathered at dawn at the The group gathered at dawn at the base base of the mountain. of the mountain. And And assembled their assembled their

gear in preparation for the morning’s gear in preparation for the morning’s climb. climb.

Revision: Revision: The group gathered at dawn at the The group gathered at dawn at the base base of the mountain of the mountain and and assembled their assembled their

gear in preparation for the morning’s gear in preparation for the morning’s climb. climb.