Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences

Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences

​ELAGSE7&8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.

Open Ended

What is a complete sentence?

A complete sentence has three components:

• a subject (the actor in the sentence)

•  a predicate (the verb or action), and

• a complete thought (it can stand alone and make sense—it’s independent).

They waited.

Is this a complete sentence?​

Some sentences can be very short, with only two or three words expressing a complete thought.

​

so.......YES! THIS MEETS ALL CRITERIA OF A COMPLETE SENTENCE.​

This sentence has a subject (They) and a verb (waited), and it expresses a complete thought. We can understand the idea completely with just those two words, so again, it’s independent—an independent clause. It can be expanded to contain a lot more information, like this:

• They waited for the bus all morning.

• They waited for the bus all morning in the rain last Tuesday.

• Wishing they’d brought their umbrella, they waited for the bus all morning in the rain last Tuesday.

Multiple Choice

A complete sentence has what three components?

• Subject, Predicate, and correct spelling.

• Subject and Predicate

• Subject, Predicate, and a complete thought.

• All of the above

Sentence Fragments

An incomplete sentence.

Some fragments are incomplete because they LACK either a subject or a verb, or both. The fragments that most students have trouble with, however, are dependent clauses—they have a subject and a verb, so they look like complete sentences, but they don’t express a complete thought.

• Dependent: CANNOT stand on their own [needs to be attached to an independent clause]

• Independent: CAN stand on their own

Multiple Choice

A Dependent Clause

• Can stand on their own and does not need help to express a complete thought

• Cannot stand on their own and needs to be attached to an independent clause

Examples of incomplete thoughts: 

• Because their car was in the shop (…What did they do?)

• After the rain stops (…What then?)

​Joining two independent clauses

Use a semicolon and comma with

however, moreover, therefore, furthermore, in addition, as a result, hence, .....to introduce a new independent clause in a sentence. 

​  EXAMPLES:

*We plan to stay for another year; however, Peter is leaving now.

*You get immediate access when you purchase an online course; therefore, you can start today.

*Swimming is against the rules; moreover, it’s dangerous.

*She always meets her deadlines; furthermore, her work is good.

​

**When these words join two independent clauses they are known as adverbial conjuncts (or conjunctive adverbs) because they are adverbs acting as conjunctions.**

Fused / Run-on Sentences

Two complete sentences (a subject and its predicate and another subject and its predicate) put together in one sentence without separating them properly.

Multiple Choice

Is the sentence below correct or a fused sentence?

My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky.

• Correct

• Fused

How do we fix a fused sentence?

• Semicolon: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky.

• Comma & Coordinating Conjunctions: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, for it is very garlicky. OR My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, and it is very garlicky.

• Subordinating Conjunctions [used correctly]: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus because it is very garlicky. OR My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; however, it is very garlicy.

• Separate the Sentences: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus. It is very garlicky.

Original: My favorite food is tacos they are very spicy.

• DOESN’T WORK

​Fixed: My favorite food is tacos. They are very spicy.

BUT..................THIS WAY IS ELEMENTARY AND BORING!!!!!!!

On your paper, use three ways here to rewrite this sentence.My favorite food is tacos they are very spicy.

• Semicolon: Sentence 1; sentence 2.

• Comma & Coordinating Conjunctions: Sentence one, FANBOY sentence 2.

• Subordinating Conjunctions [used correctly]:

  Cause / Effect: because, since, so that

  Comparison / Contrast: although, even though, though, whereas, while

  Place & Manner: how, however, where, whereverPossibility / Conditions: if, whether, unless

  Relation: that, which, who

• Use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb: sentence 1; conj. adverb, sentence 2.

  however, moreover, therefore, furthermore, in addition, as a result, hence, .....to introduce a new independent clause in a sentence. 

Comma Splice

If you don’t have FANBOYS between the two complete and separate thoughts, using a comma alone causes a “comma splice”.

My hamster loved to play, I gave him a hula-hoop. BAD

​For, And, Nor But Or Yet So

How do we fix comma splices?

You wore a lovely hat, it was your only defense from the sun. BAD

• Add a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. [For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So]: You wore a lovely hat, and it was your only defense from the sun. GOOD

• SEMICOLON: You wore a lovely hat; it was your only defense from the sun. GOOD

• Separate the Sentences: You wore a lovely hat. It was your only defense from the sun. GOOD

• Subordinating Conjunctions [used correctly]: You wore a lovely hat because it was your only defense from the sun . GOOD

• Conjunctive Adverb (however, therefore, moreover, whereas, furthermore, henceforth, etc). You wore a lovely hat; in addition, it was your only defense from the sun. GOOD

Multiple Choice

My mother and sister bake nearly every evening, we then enjoy eating together.

• Correct as is

• Fused sentence

• Fragment Sentence

• Comma Splice

Multiple Choice

I liked the novel because it was very informative.

• Correct as is

• Fused Sentence

• Fragment Sentence

• Comma Splice

Multiple Choice

Our new landlord was expected to make changes. Such as fixing the plumbing, installing a new washer, and replacing the security gate. Has not done any of it yet and weeks have passed.

• Correct as is

• Fused Sentence

• Fragment Sentence

• Comma Splice

Multiple Choice

I forgot to eat breakfast on the morning of my driver’s test I was so nervous.

• Correct as is

• Fused Sentnece

• Fragment Sentence

• Comma Splice

Multiple Choice

If the front door is locked, use the back entrance.

• Correct as is

• Fused Sentence

• Comma Splice

• Fragment Sentence

Multiple Choice

I decided to go to the store and then to the game.

• correct as is

• I decided to go to the store, and then to the game.

• I decided to go to the store; therefore, and then to the game.

• I decided to go to the store; Then to the game.

Multiple Choice

There was an accident on Route 38 last night, several people got hurt.

 

• There was an accident on Route 38 last night, several people got hurt.

•   There was an accident on Route 38 last night, or several people got hurt.

• Because there was an accident on Route 38 last night several people got hurt.

• There was an accident on Route 38 last night, and several people got hurt.

Multiple Choice

Jane missed several assignments, she knew her grade would be lowered, but she didn't expect a D.

• Jane missed several assignments; although, she knew her grade would be lowered, she didn't expect a D.

• Jane missed several assignments, she knew her grade would be lowered but she didn't expect a D.

• Jane missed several assignments. She knew her grade would be lowered, she didn't expect a D.

• Jane missed several assignments. She knew her grade would be lowered; but she didn't expect a D.

Multiple Choice

The project needs to be completed by the end of the month, the deadline I believe is August 30th.   

•   The project needs to be completed by the end of the month; The deadline is August 30th.

•   The project needs to be completed by the end of the month. And the deadline is August 30th.

• The project needs to be completed by the end of the month; the deadline is August 30th.

Multiple Choice

Linda owns a catering business in New Orleans she enjoys cooking for special events such as weddings, parties, and holidays.

• Correct as is

• Fused Sentence

• Fragment Sentnece

• Comma Splice

Open Ended

Correct this sentence three different ways. DO NOT USE JUST A PERIOD.

The front door was locked, we should not enter.

Sources:

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/fragments-and-run-ons/

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/commas/