Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices

Front

What is a fragment?

Back

A fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It often lacks a subject or a verb.

Front

What is a run-on sentence?

Back

A run-on sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses that are not properly joined or separated.

Front

What is a comma splice?

Back

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

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Example of a fragment:

Back

"When we were on the bus." (This does not express a complete thought.)

Front

Example of a run-on sentence:

Back

"The highwire is my favorite the little dogs are a close second." (Two independent clauses are improperly joined.)

Front

Example of a comma splice:

Back

"Kevin Durant is a good basketball player, LBJ is bad at basketball." (Two independent clauses joined by a comma.)

Front

How can you fix a run-on sentence?

Back

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

Front

How can you fix a comma splice?

Back

You can fix a comma splice by replacing the comma with a semicolon, adding a coordinating conjunction, or making it two separate sentences.

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.

Front

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.