Comma Splices Fragments and Runon Sentences 232 Najd

Comma Splices, Fragments, and Run-on Sentences 232 Najd

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ �You can start a sentence with because, as long as you make sure to fully complete the sentence. One clause beginning with the word because does not constitute a sentence.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ �These are fragments: �X Because the newspapers reported it. X Because the river ran dry.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ �You can start a sentence with because if you follow it with a complete independent clause.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ �These are complete sentences: � Because the newspapers reported it, the neighbors believed it. � Because the river ran dry, the dam would no longer provide electricity.

Comma Splices �A comma splice is a type of runon whereby two independent clauses—or complete sentences —are incorrectly joined by a comma.

Comma Splices � Example � Today I am tired, I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices �Grammatical Error: This comma splice has two independent clauses or complete sentences joined incorrectly by only a comma.

Comma Splices �Reasoning: The first part of the sentence ("Today I am tired") is an independent clause or complete sentence, and the second phrase ("I will take a nap later") is also an independent clause or complete sentence. The two sentences need to be joined by more than just a comma.

Comma Splices � There are three ways to correct a comma splice, and they are similar to the three ways of correcting a run-on.

Comma Splices �Corrected Example � 1. Replace the comma with a period and make two different sentences. Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices � 2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a coordinate conjunction after the comma. Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices � 3. Join the two separate sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (; ). Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices �Decide if the following sentences are comma splices or a complete sentences.

Comma Splices � 1. ) John is always late for work, nobody seems to care. �a. ) Comma splice �b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Comma splice

Comma Splices � 2. ) Hot summer weather is nice, high temperatures are dangerous for certain people. �a. ) Comma splice �b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Comma Splice

Comma Splices � 3. ) Emily broke her ankle on the weekend; now she is in a great deal of pain. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Complete sentence

Comma Splices � 4. ) Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's health. �a. ) Comma splice �b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Comma Splice

Comma Splices � 5. ) When a student likes his class, he is more likely to achieve good grades. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Complete sentence

Comma Splices � 6. ) James has an interview with the PBS, I might get a job as his assistant. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Comma splice

Comma Splices � 7. ) After I was paid last week, I was able to do the grocery shopping. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Complete sentence

Comma Splices � 8. ) Due to the fact that I am so busy this week, I don't have time for my animals. �a. ) Comma splice �b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Complete sentence

Comma Splices � 9. ) Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Complete sentence

Comma Splices � 10. ) The air conditioner is too loud, Cleo can't sleep. � a. ) Comma splice � b. ) Complete sentence

Comma Splices � Comma splice

Fragments �A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It is missing one or more of the following parts: �a subject �a verb �a coherent thought

Fragments �Example #1 �Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a bird in the middle of the road out in the storm.

Fragments �Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "while. " Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

Fragments �Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you saw a bird sitting in the middle of the road out in the storm.

Fragments �Example #1 (corrected) �Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a sitting bird in the middle of the road out in the storm, I thought it must have wandered away from its nest.

Fragments �Example #2 �When I went to the movies last week and I ran into a friend.

Fragments �Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "when. " Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

Fragments �Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you went to the movies last week and ran into a friend.

Fragments �Example 2 (corrected) � When I ran into a friend at the movies last week, I suggested we sit together.

Fragments �Select the choice that tells whether the clause is a fragment or a complete sentence.

Fragments � 1. ) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � Fragment

Fragments � 2. ) When I took my exam today, I was very nervous. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �Complete Sentence

Fragments � 3. ) Wherever I go, I take my cell phone with me. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �a. ) Complete Sentence

Fragments � 4. ) If I don't take my cell phone, and I need to make a call. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � b. ) Fragment

Fragments � 5. ) As soon as I finish this grammar exercise, I will eat lunch. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � 6. ) Because I didn't have time to write my paper and the computer was broken anyway. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � 7. ) Before I go to the mall or maybe I will see a movie instead. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � 8. ) Whether I complete this course and get credit for it in the fall. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �b. ) Fragment

Fragments � 9. ) Until I can learn to manage my time better, I am afraid I will always be late. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �a. ) Complete Sentence

Fragments � 10. ) So that I don't spend too much time on any of my projects, I make sure I take frequent breaks. �a. ) Complete Sentence �b. ) Fragment

Fragments �a. ) Complete Sentence

Run-on Sentences �A run-on contains two independent clauses combined without proper punctuation (or two sentences in one).

Run-on Sentences � Example #1 (run-on) � Today I am tired I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences �Grammatical Error: This run-on has two separate independent clauses, or complete sentences, with no conjunction and no punctuation.

Run-on Sentences �Reasoning: The first part of the sentence "Today I am tired" is an independent clause or a complete sentence, and the second phrase "I will take a nap later" is also an independent clause or a complete sentence. Therefore, we have two sentences in one without proper punctuation to connect them.

Run-on Sentences � There are three ways to correct a run-on:

Run-on Sentences � 1. Separate the run-on by making two different sentences. Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences � 2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a comma and a coordinate conjunction. Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences � 3. Join the two sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (; ). Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences � 1. ) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I'm regretting not having listened to her. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �a. ) Run-on

Run-on Sentences � 2. ) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � a. ) Run-on

Run-on Sentences � 3. ) Organizations that promise students a scholarship if they pay an extraordinarily high application fee are most likely scams. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � 4. ) Because Rose was late for the allyou-can-eat buffet, she had to order from the main menu. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � 5. ) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �a. ) Run-on

Run-on Sentences � 6. ) Although an immigration lawyer might help me to stay in this country, his fees are too expensive for me to afford. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � 7. ) I like the history class because the material is explained so well. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � 8. ) We followed the map we ended up in Canada instead. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �a. ) Run-on

Run-on Sentences � 9. ) Although the trip to Montreal was not very well planned, we had a great time. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences � 10. ) I received an A on my Psychology test I am happy. �a. ) Run-on �b. ) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences �a. ) Run-on