Avoiding Fragments and RunOns Recognizing Fragments A fragment

Avoiding Fragments and Run-Ons

Recognizing Fragments A fragment is a group of words with end punctuation that either does not have a subject or a verb or does not express a complete thought. While they are accepted in written dialogue and are sometimes used for effect in today's fiction, they are generally not considered acceptable in formal compositions.

Key Concept: When you write, avoid fragments by making sure that each of your sentences has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Most fragments are phrases, subordinate clauses, or words in a series.

Correcting Phrase Fragments Many phrase fragments can be corrected by simply linking them to words that come before or after them. Example: Fragment- A chair built by my father Added to a nearby sentence- Our neighbor asked about a piece of furniture, a chair built by my father.

In some cases, you will need to add missing sentence parts to make a phrase into a complete sentence. Example: Fragment- The embroidered tapestry. Corrected Sentence- The embroidered tapestry hung on the wall.

Correcting Clause Fragments Subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as sentences. Either connect them to nearby independent clauses or add the missing sentence parts. Example: Fragment- Because we wanted to avoid crowds. Corrected Sentence- Because we wanted to avoid crowds, we arrived at the fair early.

Correcting Series Fragments Always check to see that a series of words has both a subject and a verb. Example: Fragment- Tulips bursting out of the ground, daffodils beginning to fade, and violets pushing through the grass. Corrected Sentence- Tulips bursting out of the ground, daffodils beginning to fade, and violets pushing through the grass were all captured in the painting.

Recognizing Run-Ons A run-on sentence is two or more complete sentences incorrectly punctuated as if they were one. Key Concept: Use punctuation, conjunctions, or other methods to join or separate the parts of a run on sentence.

Four Ways To Correct Run-Ons 1. With End Marks and Capitals Run-On: Elizabeth turned at the sudden noise a bird had crashed into the picture window. Sentence: Elizabeth turned at the sudden noise. A bird had crashed into the picture window. 2. With Commas and Conjunctions Run-On: I baked the cake this morning I have not frosted it yet. Sentence: I baked the cake this morning, but I have not frosted it yet.

3. With Semicolons Run-On: The novice potter kept trying to make a vase, however he failed each time. Sentence: The novice potter kept trying to make a vase; however, he failed each time. 4. By Rewriting Run-On: My aunt stayed with us for a week my cousins came too. Sentence: When my aunt stayed with us for a week, my cousins came too.

Fused Sentences and Comma Splices Be sure to look out for the two most common types of run-on sentences: fused sentences and comma splices. A fused sentence consists of two or more sentences not separated or joined by any punctuation. A comma splice is two or more sentences separated by a comma instead of by a comma and a conjunction.

Examples: Fused Sentence-- The quiltmaker put on a demonstration the crowds came to see her at work. Comma Splice-- The potter displayed his vases, the painter showed her portraits.

Works Cited: Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.