Fragments, Run-Ons, & Comma Splices

Fragments, Run-ons, & comma splices

Fragments, run-ons, and comma splices are often considered major errors because they obstruct your writing and confuse your reader.

However, they are easily corrected.

Fragments

A fragment is an incomplete sentence, meaning is it missing a subject and/or verb and/or it is an incomplete thought.

There are several types of fragments.

Fragments

Here are some of the most common.

• Dependent Clause• Relative Clause • -ing Modifier• Prepositional Phrase• Appositive• Infinitive

Fragments

• Dependent Clause

Because I had a roommate I already knew.

This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (I) and a verb (had), it does not express a complete thought.

Fragments• Relative Clause

Who was my roommate my freshman year.

This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (Who) and a verb (was), it does not express a complete thought. It would, however, be correct as a question: Who was my roommate my freshman year?

Fragments

• -ing Modifier

Living with a roommate.

This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.

Fragments

• Prepositional Phrase

In the same room.

This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.

Fragments

• Appositive

My roommate.

This is a fragment because, even though it has a subject (roommate), it has no verb and does not express a complete thought.

Fragments

• Infinitive

To live with a roommate.

This is a fragment because it has no subject or verb and does not express a complete thought.

FragmentsFragments may be corrected in 2 different ways.

1. Add words to complete the sentence. 2. Connect the fragment to the sentence

before or after it.

Fragments

1. Add words to complete the sentence.

Fragment: Who was my roommate my freshman year.

Sentence: Adrian, who was my roommate my freshman year, never took out the garbage.

Fragments2. Connect the fragment to the sentence

before or after it.

Fragment: I knew that my living arrangement was not the worst. Because I had a roommate I already knew.

Sentence: I knew that my living arrangement was not the worst because I had a roommate I already knew.

It’s Your Turn!Correct the fragment in 2 different ways:

When I come to the Writing Center. I always get help on my essays.

It’s Your Turn!Here are some possibilities:

1. I know I have made the right decision when I come to the Writing Center. I always get help on my essays.

2. When I come to the Writing Center, I always get help on my essays.

Run-Ons

Joining two independent clauses without any punctuation creates a run-on (or fused sentence).

Example: There are organizations available for almost any interest I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

Run-OnsRun-ons may be corrected in 5 different ways.

1. Use a period.2. Use a semicolon.3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive

adverb. 4. Use a comma and coordinating

conjunction. 5. Use a subordinating conjunction.

Run-Ons1. Use a period.

There are organizations available for almost any interest. I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

Run-Ons2. Use a semicolon.

There are organizations available for almost any interest; I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

Run-Ons3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.

There are organizations available for almost any interest; thus, I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

Run-Ons4. Use a comma and coordinating

conjunction.

There are organizations available for almost any interest, so I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

Run-Ons5. Use a subordinating conjunction.

Because there are organizations available for almost any interest, I have had a difficult time trying to decide on just a few.

It’s Your Turn!Correct the run-on in 5 different ways:

I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

It’s Your Turn!Here are some possibilities:

1. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center. My tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

2. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

3. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center; therefore, my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

4. I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center, so my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

5. As long as I have made a standing appointment in the Writing Center, my tutor will help me with writing assignments in all of my classes.

Comma Splices

Joining two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction creates a comma splice.

Example: Several of my classmates are in an honor society, I plan to work hard so I may join them.

Comma SplicesComma splices may be corrected the same way as run-ons.1. Use a period.2. Use a semicolon.3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive

adverb. 4. Use a comma and coordinating

conjunction. 5. Use a subordinating conjunction.

Comma Splices1. Use a period.

Several of my classmates are in an honor society. I plan to work hard so I may join them.

Comma Splices2. Use a semicolon.

Several of my classmates are in an honor society; I plan to work hard so I may join them.

Comma Splices3. Use a semicolon and conjunctive adverb.

Several of my classmates are in an honor society; indeed, I plan to work hard so I may join them.

Comma Splices4. Use a comma and coordinating

conjunction.

Several of my classmates are in an honor society, and I plan to work hard so I may join them.

Comma Splices5. Use a subordinating conjunction.

Now that several of my classmates are in an honor society, I plan to work hard so I may join them.

It’s Your Turn!Correct the comma splice in 5 different

ways:

I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, I tell my classmates to do the same.

It’s Your Turn!Here are 5 possibilities:

1. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center. I tell my classmates to do the same.

2. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center; I tell my classmates to do the same.

3. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center; furthermore, I tell my classmates to do the same.

4. I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, and I tell my classmates to do the same.

5. When I take all of my papers to the Writing Center, I tell my classmates to do the same.

Don’t forget: print the handout that goes with this presentation!

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For more information about fragments, run-ons, and comma splices or for help with other writing concerns, come to TSU’s Writing Center.

Visit room 300 in the Learning Resources Center or call 615.963.5102 to make an appointment.