finding and fixing comma splices, run-ons and fragments

Finding and Fixing Comma Splices, Run-Ons and Fragments

Correcting Common Sentence Errors

Do you want papers with less red marks?

Help you identify common sentence errors

Give you easy ways to make corrections

Enable you to develop your own personal editing checklist

This workshop will:

In order to identify a fragment, you need to know what makes up a sentence.Subject + verb .A subject is a noun – but you can have lots of

other parts of speech attached to that noun(Prepositional Phrase) (adjectives) SUBJECT NOUN

+ verbIn the morning, the beautiful tiny bird sings loudly.

(Adverb clause) , SUBJECT NOUN + verbWhile I was eating, he watched television.

SUBJECT NOUN + adjective clause + verbThe girl who has three sisters has lots of clothes.

Understanding Sentences

There are four different types of sentences in academic American EnglishSimple – also called an Independent ClauseCompound – two independent clauses joined

togetherComplex – a dependent clause and an

independent clauseCompound Complex – two independent clauses

joined with at least one dependent clause

Understanding Sentences

Questions about Clauses or Phrases? Click here.

Questions about Sentence Types,Click here

To continue

Unlock the cluesto discover the answer

What makes a Clause?A clause is a collection of words that has both a subject

and a verb.There are two types of clauses: independent and

dependent.Examples:

I enjoy working at PGCC.Because working at PGCC is enjoyable

Click here to return to

CS/Frag/RO presentation



dependent.Examples:


SUBJECT





dependent.Examples:


VERB





dependent.Examples:


INDEPENDENT

DEPENDENT





dependent.Examples:


INDEPENDENT

DEPENDENT

Dependent WordClick here to return

to CS/Frag/R

O presentatio

n

What makes a Clause?An Independent Clause is a complete thought. At a

minimum, it contains a subject and a verb. Note: A command independent clause has an implied subject

– you. Example: Close the window.



What makes a Clause?A Dependent Clause is an incomplete thought. It contains

a subject and a verb, but it also has a dependent word.If left unattached to an independent clause, the listener

or reader may be left with unanswered questions.Example

The apartment where he livesWhile I was outAlthough driving can be challenging



Identifying Dependent WordsThere are numerous dependent words that are used

to convey meaning. A few are listed below.

After AlthoughAsBecauseBeforeEven ifEven thoughIf In order to

Just asLike

Since Unless

UntilWhereas

WhenWhereWhile



What makes a Phrase?A Phrase is a collection of two or more words that do not

have a subject/verb relationship.Examples:

Walking on the beachIn the afternoonSomeone on the phoneBeautiful childYelled on the phoneAfter graduation



Practice Your SkillsIn the following exercise, determine if the collection of

words is a Phrase, Independent Clause or a Dependent Clause.

Things to think about:To do this, identify nouns and/or verbs.If there isn’t a subject and verb, it can’t be a clause! It may

be a phrase.Is the collection of words a complete thought?Is there a dependent word?


CS/Frag /RO presentation

Click here to go to practice

Practice Your Skills1. after the soccer game ended

2. at the store

3. Gina came into the store

4. although I could not play

5. the running water

6. from earlier centuries

7. before a hurricane occurs

8. during the rainy season

9. I took a quick jog

10.Just as he passed by

11.through the winter months

12.to do the paper route

13.jumping rope

14.will have finished

Besides identification, another way to practice is to create independent clauses from the dependent clauses and phrases.

Example: During the rainy season (phrase)

IC: The jungle comes alive during the rainy season.



Practice Your Skills1. While the baby slept

2. In the moonlight

3. Running is fun

4. The student’s grades

5. approached silently

6. Giraffes eat leaves

7. Throughout our time together

8. Understanding his meaning

9. Although he apologized

10.The audience clapped

11.On the broken steps

12.The baby’s surprising long hair

13.In order to succeed

14.The team won

Besides identification, another way to practice is to create independent clauses from the dependent clauses and phrases.

Example: During the rainy season (phrase)

IC: The jungle comes alive during the rainy season.



Sentence Types in American Academic

English

Four TypesSimpleCompoundComplexCompound Complex

Understanding how these sentences are constructed will enhance your writing.



SimpleAlso known as an Independent Clause (IC)A complete thoughtMade up of a Subject and a VerbCan have a compound subject and/or a

compound verbMay not have a stated subject (in command

sentences)



SimpleS V = ICExamples:

I went to the store.Olu and Maria got married.Samira and Oscar went home and made

dinner.Don’t drink that coffee!



CompoundMade up of two Independent Clauses joined

by a coordinator (a conjunction or a transitional word)

Conjunctions:FANBOYSAlways proceeded by a comma

Transitional Word:Always proceeded by a semicolon and followed

by a comma



CompoundIC(SV) con IC(SV) = CompoundExamples:

Olu got married to Maria, and they moved to Washington, DC.

Samira made dinner, so Oscar did the dishes.

We spent time together; however, it wasn’t always a good experience.



ComplexMade up of at least one Independent

Clause (IC) and one Dependent Clause (DC)

DC = dependent word (subordinator) SV. Some dependent words can also act as the

subject of the dependent clause. DC= depVA dependent clause is not a complete

thought. Comma Rules: DC, IC. IC DC.



ComplexDC(depSV) IC(SV) = ComplexExamples:

Olu got married after he moved to Washington, DC.

While Samira made dinner, Oscar did the dishes.

The storybook that I read to my son made him laugh.



Compound-ComplexMade up of at least two Independent Clauses

joined by a coordinator (a conjunction or a transitional word) and a Dependent Clause

Must meet the requirements of both Compound and Complex sentences.



Compound-ComplexDC (dep SV) IC(SV) con IC(SV)Examples:

Olu got married to Maria after he immigrated, and they decided to live in Washington, DC.

Samira made dinner, so Oscar, who was a good husband, did the dishes.

We spent a lot of time together; however, it wasn’t always a good experience because we frequently argued.



Practice ExerciseIdentify the Sentence Type:

Although he was a nice person, he didn’t have many friends.

She frequented the library; however, she never checked out any books.

When the police made an arrest, the neighbors were relieved.

The noise of the airplane rattled the windows, and it scared the animals.

When he graduated, he looked for a job, but he couldn’t find one that suited him.

The dog ran after the cat. The rainstorm lasted into the evening and caused

flooding.Click here to

return to CS/Frag/RO presentation

Practice ExerciseIdentify the Sentence Type:

CX: Although he was a nice person, he didn’t have many friends.

CO: She frequented the library; however, she never checked out any books.

CX: When the police made an arrest, the neighbors were relieved.

CO: The noise of the airplane rattled the windows, and it scared the animals.

COCX: When he graduated, he looked for a job, but he couldn’t find one that suited him.

S: The dog ran after the cat. S: The rainstorm lasted into the evening and caused

flooding.Click here to

return to CS/Frag/RO presentation

Practice ExerciseUse these clauses to practice creating

sentences when they left however, the teacher gave the test she was happy so they talked a bird sang in the tree who was very frightened if he wanted



Make your sentence errors disappear

Guarantee “A” papers

But it will help you get closer to your goal of less red, more well said

This workshop will NOT:

Read the following paragraph and try to identify errors with sentence structure.

The many serious effects of smoking. The principle effect is the deterioration of a smoker’s health. Smoking increases the risk of lung disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. Smoking creates respiratory problems prolonged use may lead to emphysema and the need to be hooked up to a machine to pump enough oxygen into the lungs. Another effect of this habit is that smoking breeds halitosis, a smoker's breath always smells foul and repulsive. The strong, offensive odor of smoke in clothing, hair, and skin. The final effect of smoking is that it depletes the pocketbook, smoking has always been an expensive habit, and the price of cigarettes continues to rise. The negative effects of smoking are many. Which one is wondering why people do not find a way to break this harmful addiction.

Practice Exercise

Let’s review one sentence at a time.

The many serious effects of smoking.

Practice Exercise

1. Can you identify the subject and verb?

2. There is no verb! This is a FRAGMENT.

3. Fix the problem by adding a verb.

The principle effect is the deterioration of a smoker’s health. Smoking increases the risk of lung dis1.1.ease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. Smoking creates respiratory problems prolonged use may lead to emphysema and the need to be hooked up to a machine to pump enough oxygen into the lungs. Another effect of this habit is that smoking breeds halitosis, a smoker's breath always smells foul and repulsive. The strong, offensive odor of smoke in clothing, hair, and skin. The final effect of smoking is that it depletes the pocketbook, smoking has always been an expensive habit, and the price of cigarettes continues to rise. The negative effects of smoking are many. Which one is wondering why people do not find a way to break this harmful addiction.



Practice Exercise

1. Can you identify the subject and verb?

2. Yes. No problems here.



Practice Exercise

finding and fixing comma splices, run-ons and fragments

Documents

subject verb

independent clauses

dependent clause questions

command independent

enjoyable subject

csfragro presentation

enjoyable verb

adverb clause