Recognizing and Correcting Fragments and Run-ons Note: Punctuation Guide Attached
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| Recognizing and Correcting Fragments and Run-ons
Note: Punctuation Guide Attached (An MSJC-SJC Writing Center Handout) Two of the most fundamental grammar mistakes made by student writers are fragments and run-ons, which are considered major grammar errors. As a college writer, it is important that you learn to identify and correct these sorts of problems in your own work. Sentence Fragments A sentence fragment is a grammatically incomplete sentence, either because it lacks a subject and/or a verb or because it starts with a dependent word and thus is a dependent clause (as opposed to an independent clause). Correcting Fragments. There are two ways to correct a fragment. The easiest and most common way is to simply connect the fragment to the sentence of which it is a logical part (either the sentence in front of it or the sentence after it). The other way is to rewrite the fragment so that it is a complete sentence. Four of the most common types of fragments include:
Incorrect: Eileen drove forty miles to the nearest pet store. Because she had run out of her dog’s favorite treats. Correct: Eileen drove forty miles to the nearest pet store because she had run out of her dog’s favorite treats. Incorrect: While I was waiting for the bus. Someone approached me and asked for money. Correct: While I was waiting for the bus, someone approached me and asked for money.
sentences that lack a subject. Correct them by either connecting them or by adding the subject.
the corner.
the corner. Correct: The truck hurtled through the intersection. It then slammed into the flower stand on the corner.
i.e. to try). Incorrect: Julie spent almost four hours on the Internet. Trying to find a new job. Correct: Julie spent almost four hours on the Internet trying to find a new job. Incorrect: Nelson waited patiently for the red light to turn green. Not realizing that the signal light was not working. Correct: Nelson waited patiently for the red light to turn green, not realizing that the signal light was not working. Incorrect: Alfonso worked until midnight. To get his paper finished on time. Correct: Alfonso worked until midnight to get his paper finished on time.
Incorrect: I enjoy outdoor activities. Such as hiking, cycling, and rock-climbing. Correct: I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and rock-climbing. Incorrect: Tom enjoys several science fiction television shows. For example, Star Trek, Stargate, and Battlestar Galactica. Correct: Tom enjoys several science fiction televison shows. For example, he regularly watches Star Trek, Stargate, and Battlestar Galactica. Note: When introducing a list with a phrase like “such as” or “for example,” do not use a colon with the phrase. You can use a colon to introduce a list, but if you do, the word group before the colon must be a complete thought (an independent clause). Incorrect: Helena likes loud, primary colors such as: red, blue, and yellow. Correct: Helena likes loud, primary colors such as red, blue, and yellow. Correct: Helena likes loud, primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. Run-on Sentences Run-on sentences are two or more sentences run together without the proper punctuation between them. Run-ons come in two types: fused sentences and comma splices. (Note: some texts and teachers do not consider comma splices to be true run-ons, but most do.) 1.) Fused sentences: Fused sentences are two or more sentences that are “fused” together rather than being separated with the proper punctuation. Incorrect: Tony is in love with Lola he thinks she is beautiful. Correct: Tony is in love with Lola. He thinks she is beautiful. 2.) Comma Splices: A comma splice occurs when a writer “splices” two sentences together by using a comma alone between them. Incorrect: Tony is in love with Lola, he thinks she is beautiful. Correct: Tony is in love with Lola, and he thinks she is beautiful. Correcting Run-ons. There are essentially five methods to correct run-on sentences, and while more than one technique may work to correct any given run-on, one method might be preferable to another depending on the specific situation.
1. Using a period: Using a period is perhaps the easiest and most fundamental way to fix a run-on, but if you choose this technique, don’t forget to capitalize as necessary. Incorrect: Felix is interested in astronomy, he is fascinated by the heavens. Correct: Felix is interested in astronomy. He is fascinated by the heavens. 2. Using a comma with a coordinating conjunction (one of the FANBOYS). If you use a comma to fix a fused sentence, or if you are correcting a comma splice, you must also use a coordinating conjunction, i.e. the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Incorrect: Tom drove to the store, he was out of milk and eggs. Correct: Tom drove to the store, for he was out of milk and eggs. Incorrect: Tina is often late for work, she usually leaves early, too. Correct: Tina is often late for work, and she leaves early, too. 3. Using a semicolon alone. The semicolon can be used to connect two sentences rather than using a comma and a FANBOYS, but its use is not arbitrary. Semicolons are used to connect two sentences that are closely related in content. Incorrect: My mother likes musicals, my father prefers action films. Correct: My mother likes musicals; my father prefers action films. Incorrect: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, Mercury is the smallest. Correct: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system; Mercury is the smallest. 4. Using a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb. If you connect two sentences using a conjunctive adverb such as however, nevertheless, and in addition (see attached list), use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it. Incorrect: Alfonso insisted that the work be done by midnight, he refused to pay overtime, though.
Correct: Alfonso insisted that the work be done by midnight; however, he refused to pay overtime. Incorrect: Don works two jobs every week he also goes to school part-time. Correct: Don works two jobs every week; in addition, he goes to school part-time. 5A. Using subordination. Run-on sentences can also be corrected by using subordination, turning one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause, often by using a dependent word such as after, because, and when (see attached list). If the dependent clause comes at the start of the sentence, follow it with a comma. If it comes at the end of the sentence, do not use a comma. Incorrect: Pilar enrolled in a French class, she was hoping to take a trip to Paris. Correct: Pilar enrolled in a French class because she was hoping to take a trip to Paris. Incorrect: Hans saw a TV show about shark attacks, after that he refused to swim in the ocean.
Correct: After he saw a show about shark attacks, Hans refused to swim in the ocean. Incorrect: The front door banged loudly in the wind, Dorothy almost jumped out of her skin.
Correct: When the front door banged loudly in the wind, Dorothy almost jumped out of her skin. 5B. Subordination can take other forms as well, including using a gerund (the “ing” form of a verb) or a relative pronoun (such as who or which). Also note that a dependent word group can interrupt an independent clause rather than preceding it or following it. Incorrect: Dave decided to invest his inheritance, this proved to be a smart move. Correct: Dave decided to invest his inheritance, which proved to be a smart move. Incorrect: Mons Olympus is the tallest mountain on Mars, it is fifteen miles high. Correct: Mons Olympus is the tallest mountain on Mars, rising fifteen miles into the air. Incorrect: Edwin Hubble is a famous twentieth century astronomer he discovered that the universe is expanding. Correct: Edwin Hubble, a famous twentieth century astronomer, discovered that the universe is expanding. The chart on the next two pages is a must-have. Make a copy and keep it with your writing materials!! 
A Chart of Methods for Correcting Run-On Sentences (An MSJC-SJC Writing Center Handout) Method 1 Create two sentences. Independent . Capital letter Independent clause clause
Independent , or Independent clause , yet clause
clause clause   ; also,
; as a result, ; besides, ; certainly, ; consequently, ; finally, ; furthermore, ; however, Method 4 ; incidentally, Use a semicolon and ; in addition, a conjunctive adverb ; in fact, ; instead, Independent ; likewise, Independent clause ; meanwhile, clause
after
although as as if because before
even though Method 5 if in order that Independent since Dependent clause so that clause though unless (No comma is needed when a when dependent clause “trails” the whenever independent clause.) where whereas
whether while
 
After
Although As As if Because Before
Even though Method 6 If In order that Dependent Since Independent clause So that clause Though Unless (When a dependent clause introduces an Until independent clause, put a comma after it.) When Whenever
Where Whereas
Whether While
We sincerely thank and acknowledge contributions by the following: Hacker, Diane. The Bedford Handbook. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. Langan, John. English Skills. 8th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2007. This handout made available by Writing Center staff for the Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Campus Writing Center. 2009. |
se a comma and , for
