Sentences* Types of Sentences* Sentence Structure: Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices

Types of SentencesA simple sentence consists of

one independent clause and no subordinate clauses. A simple sentence may contain a compound subject or a compound verb.◦EXAMPLE: Most TV family shows idealize family

life.

According to TV, parents could understand and

solve any problem. (compound verb)

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. ◦EXAMPLE:A 1970s sitcom called The Brady Bunchfeatured a blended family that consisted of two

ofthe original parents, three girls, and three boys.

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together.◦EXAMPLE:The TV Father worked, and the TV motherstayed at home with the TV children.

A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.◦EXAMPLE:Each week the show broke new

ground, and, asactors tackled one sensitive subject

afteranother, the show quickly became the

numberone program on television.

Writing SentencesA sentence fragment is part of a

sentence that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence.

Fragments are caused by missing parts, sometimes a sentence fragment is missing a subject or a verb.◦EXAMPLE:Chef Crum angered by the rejection.

(fragment) How would you make this a complete

thought?

A run-on sentence is two or more sentences written as though they were one sentence.

Ways to fix: separate into two sentences, comma + FANBOYS, or semicolon.◦EXAMPLE:

The book paved the way for Julia Child’stelevision series The French Chef eventuallyChild became a star in the world of cooking.

Fix this run-on

A comma splice occurs when the writer mistakenly uses a comma instead of a semicolon or period.

What’s the mistake below?

◦EXAMPLE:For generations, people have enjoyed the

everpopular ice cream as a dessert, historicalrecords show that ice cream was invented

bythe Chinese around 2000 B.C.

Checklist for CorrectingFragments and Run-Ons

Have I…◦____ avoided a run-on sentence by

adding a conjunction and a comma or a semicolon or a period?

◦____ corrected any comma splices with a semicolon or a period?

Does each sentence…◦____ have a subject?◦____ have a verb?◦____ express a complete thought?