Sentence Fragments and Run-ons

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Sentence Fragments and Run-ons

• Common problems in grammar

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Sentence Fragment

• Problem 1-
• Fragment that lacks a subject
• Example Hoped it would win a prize.
• Solution Add a subject!
• He hoped it would win a prize.

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Problem 2

• Fragment that lacks a complete verb
• Examples
• We heard a loud noise. The fire alarm across the
  street.
• The critics encouraging us to put on future
  shows.
• How did you fix these fragments?

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Solution

• Add a complete verb or a helping verb to make the
  sentence complete.
• We heard a loud noise. The fire alarm across the
  street was wailing.
• The critics are encouraging us to put on future
  shows.

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Problem 3

• Fragment that is a subordinate clause
• Maria was relieved. Because she found her
  notebook.
• Solution?

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Solution

• A-Combine the fragment with another sentence.
• B- Rewrite the fragment as a complete sentence,
  and add a subject to make it a complete thought.
• Maria was relieved because she found her
  notebook.
• Maria was relieved. She found her notebook.

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Problem 4

• Fragment that lacks both a subject and a verb.
• Example Paul finally finished his homework. At
  ten oclock.
• Solution?

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Solution

• Combine the fragment with another sentence.
• Paul finally finished his homework at ten oclock

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Run-on Sentence

• Problem 1-
• Comma splicetwo main clauses separated only by a
  comma.
• On vacation Luisa enjoys hiking in the mountains,
  Leon prefers swimming at the beach.
• Solution?

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Solution

• A- Replace the comma with an end mark.
• On vacation Luisa enjoys hiking in the mountains.
  Leon prefers swimming at the beach.
• B- Place a semi-colon or a dash between the main
  clauses.
• C- Add a conjunction after the comma.

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Problem 2

• Two main clauses with no punctuation between them
• Example Kim plays the guitar she writes music
  too.

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Solutions

• A- Separate the main clauses with a period
• Kim plays the guitar. She writes music too.
• B- Separate the main clauses with a semi colon.
• Kim plays the guitar she writes music too.
• C- Add a comma and conjunction
• Kim plays the guitar, and she writes music too.

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Problem 3

• Two main clauses with no comma before the
  conjunction
• Carla is planning to visit Yellowstone National
  Park next summer and her sister may join her.

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Solution

• Add the comma to separate the two main clauses.
• Carla is planning to visit Yellowstone National
  Park next summer, and her sister may join her.

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Directions

• Re-read pages 146-148 in Speak. Find four
  examples of fragments. Edit the fragments using
  your notes.
• Re-read pages 148-150. Find three examples of
  run-on sentences. Edit the run-ons using your
  notes.