Sentence Errors: Run-ons/Fused Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments

Front

What is a run-on sentence?

Back

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.

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What is a comma splice?

Back

A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Front

What is a sentence fragment?

Back

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought and is not a complete sentence.

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How can you fix a run-on sentence?

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You can fix a run-on sentence by adding a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction between the independent clauses.

Front

How can you fix a comma splice?

Back

You can fix a comma splice by replacing the comma with a period, a semicolon, or adding a coordinating conjunction.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

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What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

What punctuation can be used to separate independent clauses?

Back

Independent clauses can be separated by a period, a semicolon, or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses; examples include 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', and 'yet'.

Front

What is the purpose of a semicolon?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.