Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma
Splices!
A
fragment is when a dependent clause is treated as a sentence, such as when one might
say:
Because I forgot about the test.
Fragments are incorrect because they are not complete thoughts.
Independent clause= _______________________________________________________________________
Ex. I can’t wait to write my Lord of the Flies essay!
Dependent clause=
_________________________________________________________________________
Dependent clauses usually have marker words (also called ___________________________________,
like after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order
to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Ex. Even though I took a shower today.
You may have noticed that newspaper and magazine journalists often use a dependent clause as a
separate sentence when it follows clearly from the preceding main clause, as in the last example
above. This is a conventional journalistic practice, often used for emphasis. For academic writing
and other more formal writing situations, however, you should avoid such journalistic fragment
sentences (OWL at Purdue).
When joining an Independent clause and a dependent clause, you can:
1. Start with the dependent clause (if it contains a subordinating conjunction), and a comma, and then add the
independent clause.
Ex. After taking Mrs. Taft’s class, students have a better understanding of writing rules.
2. If you start with the independent clause, there is no need for a comma.
Ex. Students have a better understanding of writing rules after taking Mrs. Taft’s class.
run on
A
is when two or more independent ________________ are shoved together without proper
punctuation or separation!
Sometimes, this mistake is called a ________________ sentence.
Ex. I really love Mrs. Taft’s literature class I am now an amazingtastic writer!
It’s important to be able to join clauses to your writing doesn’t sound _________________!
When you’d like to put two independent clauses together, you can:
1. Separate the two independent clauses completely using a period, but then they may sound choppy.
2. Separate the two independent clauses with a comma and a ________________________ conjunction.
(FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO) FANBOYS!
3. Separate the two independent clauses with a Semi-colon. This should be used sparingly and only if
the two clauses relate to each other.
4. __________________________ adverbs can also be used after a semi-colon; however, use them
properly. ☺
Some are: _________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
A
comma splice is when ____________________________________________.
Ex. I cannot go to the movies, my Mom will kill me!
To splice means to join, so a comma splice could easily have been called a comma join, but that would have been too
simple! Some people get confused and think that the word “splice” means to separate, as in split, but it is not that way.
In standard American English, you’re not supposed to use comma splices in writing. It is a formal rule! And we all love
rules, don’t we?!
How does one fix a comma splice?
1. Make two sentences instead of one: I cannot go to the movies. My mom will kill me!
2. Use a semicolon: I cannot go to the movies; my mom will kill me!
3. Use a subordinating conjunction (because, etc.): I cannot go to the movies because my mom will
kill me!
4. Use a semicolon plus a conjunctive adverb (therefore, then, however, for example): I cannot go
to the movies; besides, my mom will kill me!
5. Use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) after the comma: I cannot go to the movies, for my
mom will kill me!