Sentences Fragments and Runons What is a sentence

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Sentences, Fragments, and Run-ons

Sentences, Fragments, and Run-ons

What is a sentence? A complete sentence has three components: 1. A subject (the

What is a sentence? A complete sentence has three components: 1. A subject (the actor in the sentence) 2. A predicate (the verb or action) 3. A complete thought. ( It can stand alone and make sense---It is INDEPENDENT)

Some sentences can be very short: John waited This sentence has a subject (

Some sentences can be very short: John waited This sentence has a subject ( John) and a verb (waited), and it expresses a complete thought. A complete sentence is also known as an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Independent Clauses (complete sentences) can be expanded to contain a lot more information: *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.

As your sentences grow more complicated it gets harder to spot and stay focused

As your sentences grow more complicated it gets harder to spot and stay focused on the basic elements of a complete sentence. The main thought is still John waited. No matter how long or short the other sentence parts are, none of them can stand alone and make sense.

A Sentence Fragment is an incomplete sentence. Some fragments lack a subject or a

A Sentence Fragment is an incomplete sentence. Some fragments lack a subject or a verb, or both, but the fragments most students have trouble with are dependent clauses. These have a subject and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought. 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? ) Each example has a subject and verb, so what makes the thought incomplete? ?

The first words do: Because, after, when These words belong to a special class

The first words do: Because, after, when These words belong to a special class of words called Subordinators or Subordinating Conjunctions. Becoming aware of subordinating conjunctions can help you eliminate 90% of your fragments. Subordinating Conjunctions do three things: 1. Join two sentences together 2. Make one of the sentences dependent on the other for a complete thought 3. Indicate a logical relationship

You need to recognize the subordinators when you see them. Some common subordinating conjunctions

You need to recognize the subordinators when you see them. Some common subordinating conjunctions and the relationships they indicate are: 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

The subordinator (and the whole dependent clause) most often will appear at the beginning

The subordinator (and the whole dependent clause) most often will appear at the beginning of the sentence, but may also appear at the end. Because his car was in the shop, John took the bus because his car was in the shop. (Notice punctuation: Dependent clause at beginning needs a comma after. At the end…no comma. ) ALWAYS REMEMBER: EVERY DEPENDENT CLAUSE NEEDS TO BE ATTACHED TO AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Find and fix your fragments by: 1. Remembering the basics: subject, verb, complete thought

Find and fix your fragments by: 1. Remembering the basics: subject, verb, complete thought 2. Scanning your sentences for subordinating conjunctions. 3. Identifying the subordinating word and the rest of the clause and making sure it all is attached to an independent clause.

John took the bus. (independent clause. complete thought. Can stand alone as a sentence…so

John took the bus. (independent clause. complete thought. Can stand alone as a sentence…so far so good) Because his car was in the shop. ( uh oh! Fragment!) John took the bus because his car was in the shop. ( FIXED!)

What is a run-on sentence? A run-on happens when you put two complete sentences

What is a run-on sentence? A run-on happens when you put two complete sentences together in one sentence without separating them properly.

My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. This one sentence actually

My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus it is very garlicky. This one sentence actually contains two sentences, but in the rush to get the idea out, it was written incorrectly. There are many ways to correct this run-on: A semicolon: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky. A comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, for it is very garlicky. A subordinating conjunction: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus because it is very garlicky. Simply make it two separate sentences: My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus. It is very garlicky.

You CANNOT just add a comma between the two sentences or you end up

You CANNOT just add a comma between the two sentences or you end up with a COMMA SPLICE. My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, it is very garlicky. ( Wrong punctuation and sentence structure!!) Fortunately, comma splices are easy to fix. Use the same methods as the run-on sentence.

All of these errors are easy to make and will ruin the effectiveness of

All of these errors are easy to make and will ruin the effectiveness of your paper, not to mention your grade! Take your time. Edit carefully. Learn the rules and apply them. A little time spent will earn you great benefit!