Grammar Review:Fragments & Run-Ons

Fragments & Run-Ons

• Jordan’s unhealthy infatuation with boy band posters and paraphernalia was the reason for his friends’ intervention, he did not take it well.

Fragments & Run-Ons

• Jordan’s unhealthy infatuation with boy band posters and paraphernalia was the reason for his friends’ intervention, he did not take it well.

• Wondered what they were going to do with all of those Backstreet Boys figurines.

Fragments & Run-Ons

• Jordan’s unhealthy infatuation with boy band posters and paraphernalia was the reason for his friends’ intervention, he did not take it well.

• Wondered what they were going to do with all of those Backstreet Boys figurines.

RUN-ON

Fragments & Run-Ons

• Jordan’s unhealthy infatuation with boy band posters and paraphernalia was the reason for his friends’ intervention, he did not take it well.

• Wondered what they were going to do with all of those Backstreet Boys figurines.

RUN-ON

FRAGM

ENT

Fragments

• Examples:– When I placed the marshmallow in the

microwave.– Considering all of the evidence that coffee stunts

one’s growth– Mr. Cooper, who gets giddy at the thought of how

awesome Lancaster County soil is.

Fragments

• Examples:– When I placed the marshmallow in the

microwave, it exploded.– Considering all of the evidence that coffee stunts

one’s growth.– Mr. Cooper, who gets giddy at the thought of how

awesome Lancaster County soil is.

Fragments

• Examples:– When I placed the marshmallow in the

microwave, it exploded.– Considering all of the evidence that coffee stunts

one’s growth, Mr. Marsh sadly moved on to drinking tea.

– Mr. Cooper, who gets giddy at the thought of how awesome Lancaster County soil is.

Fragments

• Examples:– When I placed the marshmallow in the

microwave, it exploded.– Considering all of the evidence that coffee stunts

one’s growth, Mr. Marsh sadly moved on to drinking tea.

– Mr. Cooper, who gets giddy at the thought of how awesome Lancaster County soil is, has been admitted to a mental institution.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Trying to use an –ing verb without a helper:• The kid sitting behind me snoring his way

through Mr. Marsh’s lecture.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Trying to use an –ing verb without a helper:• The kid IS sitting behind me snoring his way

through Mr. Marsh’s lecture.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Trying to use an –ing verb without a helper:• The kid IS sitting behind me snoring his way

through Mr. Marsh’s lecture. • The kid sitting behind me IS snoring his way

through Mr. Marsh’s lecture.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Using an incorrect word as a transitional word:• Although I refuse to waste time watching

NASCAR.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Using an incorrect word as a transitional word:• However, Although I refuse to waste time

watching NASCAR.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Beginning a “who” or “that”: clause and never

finishing it:• Arguing with his guidance counselor, Allen, who

didn’t even sign up for this ridiculous class.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Beginning a “who” or “that”: clause and never

finishing it:• Arguing with his guidance counselor, Allen, who

didn’t even sign up for this ridiculous class.

Fragments

• Common problems:– Beginning a “who” or “that”: clause and never

finishing it:• Arguing with his guidance counselor, Allen, who

didn’t even sign up for this ridiculous class.• Arguing with his guidance counselor, Allen, who

didn’t even sign up for this ridiculous class, begged to get out.

Run-Ons

• Examples:– Mr. Cantrell loves to paint floating bananas he is a

talented artist.– Her father is a pastor she secretly smokes

cigarettes and practices witchcraft. – I didn’t get any candy for Halloween I stole yours.

Run-Ons

• Examples:– Mr. Cantrell loves to paint floating bananas. He is

a talented artist.– Her father is a pastor she secretly smokes

cigarettes and practices witchcraft. – I didn’t get any candy for Halloween I stole yours.

Run-Ons

• Examples:– Mr. Cantrell loves to paint floating bananas. He is

a talented artist.– Her father is a pastor, yet she secretly smokes

cigarettes and practices witchcraft. – I didn’t get any candy for Halloween I stole yours.

Run-Ons

• Examples:– Mr. Cantrell loves to paint floating bananas. He is

a talented artist.– Her father is a pastor, yet she secretly smokes

cigarettes and practices witchcraft. – Because I didn’t get any candy for Halloween, I

stole yours.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Slapped two sentences together with only a

comma:• Our legs were like jelly, we had just run “the

pacer” for Mr. Morgan for an hour.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Slapped two sentences together with only a

comma:• Our legs were like jelly, for we had just run “the

pacer” for Mr. Morgan for an hour.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Slapped two sentences together with only a

comma:• Our legs were like jelly, for we had just run “the

pacer” for Mr. Morgan for an hour.

“for” is like “because” but can be used with a comma

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Glued two sentences together with a word that is

NOT conjunction:• Mr. Heiser secretly gorged on donuts, then he

wiped the powdered sugar from his face and fingers before his wife got home.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Glued two sentences together with a word that is

NOT conjunction:• Mr. Heiser secretly gorged on donuts, then he

wiped the powdered sugar from his face and fingers before his wife got home.

Not a conjunction

Run-OnsBe careful of the “Nottas”:

• “Notta” Coordinating Conjunction:• Adverbs: – Then, Next, Also, etc.

• Subordinating Conjunctions:– Because, When, If, After, etc.

• Transitional Words: – However, Nevertheless, Moreover, Instead, Therefore, Thus, etc.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Glued two sentences together with a word that is

NOT conjunction:• Mr. Heiser secretly gorged on donuts, then he

wiped the powdered sugar from his face and fingers before his wife got home.

Not a conjunction

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Glued two sentences together with a word that is

NOT conjunction:• Mr. Heiser secretly gorged on donuts, and then

he wiped the powdered sugar from his face and fingers before his wife got home.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Using a conjunction with the wrong connotation:• Erik found a moldy egg roll in the backseat of

his mini van, so he ate it anyway.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Using a conjunction with the wrong connotation:• Erik found a moldy egg roll in the backseat of

his mini van, so he ate it anyway.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Using a conjunction with the wrong connotation:• Erik found a moldy egg roll in the backseat of

his mini van, yet he ate it anyway.

Run-Ons

• Common problems:– Using a conjunction with the wrong connotation:• Erik found a moldy egg roll in the backseat of

his mini van, yet he ate it anyway.• Erik found a moldy egg roll in the backseat of

his mini van, but he ate it anyway.