Complex Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

What is a comma splice?

Back

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma, which is grammatically incorrect.

Front

How can you fix a comma splice?

Back

You can fix a comma splice by using a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or by creating a dependent clause.

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What is a fragment?

Back

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

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What are FANBOYS?

Back

FANBOYS is an acronym for the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Front

What punctuation is needed in the sentence: 'While we waited for the snow to stop we drank hot chocolate.'?

Back

A comma is needed after 'stop' to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause.

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Identify the error: 'Nothing but the sound of our garbage tent being roughly moved by the strong, cold wind.'

Back

This is a fragment because it does not have a main verb and cannot stand alone.

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.

Front

What is the difference between a simple sentence and a complex sentence?

Back

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause, while a complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.