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Fixing Sentence Fragments & Run-Ons

This document discusses fragments, run-on sentences, and how to identify and fix them. A fragment is a group of words that is missing a subject, verb, or complete thought. A run-on sentence squashes together two independent clauses without proper punctuation. There are two types of run-ons: fused sentences with no punctuation and comma splices that use only a comma. To fix fragments, add the missing parts, and to fix run-ons, separate the clauses with a period, use a semicolon, or add a comma and conjunction.

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Emma Precious
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143 views10 pages

Fixing Sentence Fragments & Run-Ons

This document discusses fragments, run-on sentences, and how to identify and fix them. A fragment is a group of words that is missing a subject, verb, or complete thought. A run-on sentence squashes together two independent clauses without proper punctuation. There are two types of run-ons: fused sentences with no punctuation and comma splices that use only a comma. To fix fragments, add the missing parts, and to fix run-ons, separate the clauses with a period, use a semicolon, or add a comma and conjunction.

Uploaded by

Emma Precious
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Fragments and Run-On Sentences: Provides an overview of the topics of fragments and run-on sentences with a visual example.
  • What is a Fragment?: Defines a fragment and provides examples of incomplete sentences lacking elements like subject or verb.
  • What Causes Fragments?: Explains the causes behind sentence fragments through examples highlighting missing subjects or predicates.
  • Fixing Fragments: Describes methods to fix sentence fragments by adding necessary grammatical components.
  • What is a Run-On Sentence?: Introduces run-on sentences, explaining their formation through independent clauses without proper punctuation.
  • What is a Fused Sentence?: Clarifies the concept of fused sentences as an error of combining sentences without punctuation.
  • Comma Splice: Defines comma splice errors and provides examples of incorrect sentence joining using commas.
  • Fixing Run-Ons: Outlines strategies to resolve run-on sentences by adding appropriate punctuation or restructuring sentences.
  • Correction Exercise: Presents sentences that require correction for run-on or fragment errors as a practice exercise.
  • Conclusion: Summarizes the main points about correcting fragments and run-on sentences, emphasizing solutions.

Fragments, and

run-on sentences
DR S. ASHIKUTI
What is a fragment?

A fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence,


but is missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
A fragment leaves the reader asking questions: what is
this about? or what happened?
*Spoke loudly. Who spoke loudly?

*My cousin and I. What about the two of you?

*Behind the community hall. What about it?


What causes fragments?
A fragment may be missing a SUBJECT…

*Spoke loudly. Who spoke loudly?

A fragment may be missing a PREDICATE…

*My cousin and I. What about the two of you?

A fragment may be missing BOTH…

*Behind the community hall. What about it?


Fixing fragments

Fixing fragments: add the missing part(s)

Add both
Add a
Add a subject (subject and
predicate
predicate)

Paulus waited
John spoke My cousin and I
behind the
loudly. cooked.
community hall.
What is a run-on sentence?
— A run-on sentence has at least two independent
clauses, which can stand by themselves, but have
been squashed together instead of being correctly
connected.

Fused Comma
sentences splice

Two
types of
run-ons
What is a fused sentence?

A fused sentence has two or more thoughts put together


in the same sentence without any punctuation in
between.

In short, a fused sentence is a sentence error caused by


running one sentence into another without correct
punctuation.

Examples: *I live in Windhoek I love this city.


*He was tired he went to bed early.
*They need more staff they are currently hiring.
Comma splice
Comma splice refers to a sentence error
caused by combining two independent
clauses with a comma.

Examples:
1. *The shop is closed, let’s go back home.
2. *I attended the meeting, it was a
productive day.
3. *It was very cold on Tuesday, many people
were late for work.
Fixing run-ons (fused
sentences and comma splice)
Separate the The shop is closed. Let’s
independent clauses. go back home.
Fixing run-ons

I attended the meeting; it


Add a semicolon. was a productive day.

It was very cold on


Add a comma and a Tuesday, so many people
conjunction. were late for work.

Make one of the Since the shop is closed,


clauses dependent. let’s go home.
Correct the sentences
below.
The representatives did not attend the meeting
they were delayed.
The chairperson cancelled the meeting he
walked out.
The event had to be cancelled it was a windy
day.
Petrus picked up his children he then drove home.

MTC increased their tariffs they introduced 4g


network.
Conclusion

Remember: Fragments need either a


subject, a verb, or both.

Run-ons need a full stop and capital letter,


a semicolon, or a comma and conjunction
or one clause to be made dependent.

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