Run-Ons and Fused Sentences

Fragments and Run-Ons

By Linda Flores

fREQUENT Sentence mistakes

• A fused sentence (run-on) is two independent clauses that are joined together (or fused) with no signal as to where one ends and the other begins.​

• ​A comma splice is two independent clauses wrongly joined together, separated only by a comma.

• ​A sentence fragment is a group of words beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period that does not express a whole thought, usually because the group lacks a main verb or subject.

So if commas, semicolons, and conjunctions are good for combining sentences, they should

also be good for correcting errors involving fused sentences, comma splices, and fragments

resulting from faulty constructions.

Multiple Choice

A traditional radio antenna on a cell phone tower emits energy out in all directions only a portion of it gets to the right cell tower.

• directions only

• directions; so only

• directions, only

• directions. Only

Multiple Choice

For decades, period architecture and cobblestone streets have made Old Montreal a tourist attraction, this gracious waterfront area, dating back centuries, is getting new interest from the locals as well.

• attraction, this gracious

• attraction, which this gracious

• attraction, but this gracious

• attraction, gracious

Multiple Choice

The museum often hosts visiting exhibitions from countries around the world, now it is taking its own collection on a trip to visit several cities in the United States and Canada.

• world, now it

• world; now it

• world now it

• world, it now

Multiple Choice

You can add an exotic restaurant-like element to your home cooking by using flavored oils like lemon, wasabi, and porcini oils. Which can be found in gourmet grocery stores and online.

• oils. Which

• oils, they which

• oils, which

• oils, they

Multiple Choice

Some judges have questioned the practice of awarding attorneys' fees for class action suits. Contending that the lawyers are only interested in generating legal fees.

• suits. Contending

• suits, contending

• suits. They contending

• suits, they contend