Fragments Runon Sentences What is a fragment Fails
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Fragments & Run-on Sentences
What is a fragment? • • • Fails to be a sentence because it cannot stand alone as an independent clause Missing either the subject or main verb Example: • • Mrs. Finch, who is not coming to dinner. o missing main verb (What will she do? ) Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. o missing subject
Ways to fix fragments: 1. Pull the fragment into a nearby sentence a. This can require added words (making subordinate clauses), punctuation, or simply the addition or words 1. The students were often late. Making it difficult to get started on time. 2. The students were often late, making it difficult to get started on time. 2. Add the missing part (subject or verb) to create an independent clause. 1. The commuters were staring hopefully down the track. Just wanted to get to work on time. 2. The commuters were staring hopefully down the track. They just wanted to get to work on time.
Test Yourself: 1. The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands. Which is why we believed the proposed amendments should be passed. 2. A story with deep thoughts and emotions. 3. I have to find a new roommate. Because the one I have right now is not working out.
What is a run-on sentence? • When two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) are put together without the proper punctuation between the clauses § Example: Adam is a sweet boy he really loves animals.
Types of Run-on Sentences 1 -FUSED: · When a writer puts no mark of punctuation and no coordinating conjunction between independent clauses. EXAMPLE: Independent clause [-----------------------------------] [----------------------------] Gestures are a means of communication for everyone they are essential for the hearing impaired. 2 -COMMA SPLICE: · Two or more independent clauses joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction (or are joined by a word that is not a coordinating conjunction). EXAMPLE: Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, they are essential for the hearing impaired.
Ways to fix run-on sentences: 1 - Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) 2 - Use a semicolon (or if appropriate, a colon or dash). A semicolon may be used alone; it can also be accompanied by a transitional phrase such as however. a. When using a transitional phrase, you will need a comma after the transitional phrase 3 - Make the clauses into separate sentences. 4 - Restructure the sentence, perhaps by subordinating one of the clauses
Test Yourself: 1. It was a beautiful day there was not a cloud in the sky. 2. Why shouldn’t a divorced wife receive have of her husband’s pension and retirement benefits, she was her husband’s partner for many years 3. Suddenly there was a loud silence, the shelling had stopped.
