SENTENCE FRAGMENTS AND SEMICOLONS English 101 WHATS A
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SENTENCE FRAGMENTS AND SEMI-COLONS English 101
WHAT’S A COMPLETE SENTENCE? 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). Example: John waited.
EXAMPLES OF MORE COMPLEX SENTENCES John waited for the bus all morning in the rain last Tuesday. Wishing he’d brought his umbrella, John waited for the bus all morning in the rain last Tuesday. Wishing he’d brought his umbrella and dreaming of his nice warm bed, John waited for the bus all morning in the rain last Tuesday, determined to make it to class for his test.
WHAT ARE SENTENCE FRAGMENTS? Incomplete sentences Missing either a subject, verb, or a complete thought.
COMPLETE OR INCOMPLETE THOUGHTS? Because his car was in the shop (…What did he do? ) After the rain stops (…What then? ) When you finally take the test (…What will happen? ) Since you asked (…Will you get the answer? ) If you want to go with me (…What should you do? )
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS – WHAT DO THEY DO? join two sentences together make one of the sentences dependent on the other for a complete thought (make one a dependent clause) indicate a logical relationship
COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS Cause / Effect: because, since, so that Comparison / Contrast: although, even though, whereas, while Place & Manner: how, however, wherever Possibility / Conditions: if, whether, unless Relation: that, which, who Time: after, as, before, since, whenever, while, until
HOW TO FIX SENTENCE FRAGMENTS Identify the subordinating conjunction with the subject and verb (the dependent clause) Join the dependent clause with an independent clause If dependent BEFORE independent, use a comma Because his car was in the shop, John took the bus. If dependent AFTER independent, no comma needed John took the bus because his car was in the shop.
USING SEMI-COLONS Semi-colons are best used to fix run-on or comma splice errors Combine two independent clauses (two complete sentences)
EXAMPLES My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, it is very garlicky. FIXED with Semi-Colon: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky.
