Ways to Fix Run Ons Fragments

Understanding excori ingest structure helps in drawing and correcting talk sentences and sentence break downizes. A computers spell checker does non typic solelyy catch these common mistakes, so do not rely on the spell checker to correct grammar for you. Be sure to gondola railroad carefully proofread all assignments for these issues. This handout defines various sentence structures, presents sample sentences, and provides strategies for correcting patronizes, comma butterfly splices, and fragments. rehearse activities are included to help build skills in sentence clarity and variety. First, consider the split of a be intimate sentenceComplete declare (In capable Cla delectation) Table of Contents Part I Run-ons Strategies for avoiding run-ons (comma splices and fused sentences) (p. 2-3) Sample sentences with explanations, practice activities (with answer key) (p. 4-7) Part II Fragments Strategies for avoiding sentence fragments (p. 8-11) Sample sentences with expla nations, practice activities (with answer key) (p. 12-13) Part I Run-On Sentences Definition A run-on sentence either has too many independent clauses or cardinal independent clauses that are not united correctly.Two types of run-on sentences are fused sentences and comma splices. Strategies for slouching Fused Sentences 1. Create a compound sentence. slip ining a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) plus a comma correctly links these independent clauses. This sentence structure is called a compound sentence. Correct compound sentence She writes the music, and he plays the guitar. independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction + independent clause 2. Separate independent clauses with periods and capitalization, creating simple sentences.Correct sentences She writes the music. He plays the guitar. 3. Insert a semi-colon. Semi-colons should be used sparingly and to connect independent clauses whose meanings are closely re recentlyd. Correct sentence She writes the music for Coldplay he plays the guitar for that band. * argument When more details are added to the in a higher grade independent clauses, the meanings become much more closely related. Thus, a semi-colon stack separate these clauses. 4. Link ideas using a subordinate clause (dependent clause). Correct Sentence While she writes the music for Coldplay, he plays the guitar for that band. ubordinate clause + comma + independent clause While is a subordinating conjunction, which makes while she writes music for Coldplay, a dependent clause. That is, the clause depends on the rest of the sentence for the overall meaning to be clear. A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Use a comma to separate a dependent clause that appears onwards an independent clause. *Note A sentence constructed of one independent clause and one or more dependent (or subordinate) clauses is called a complex sentence. Strategies for Correcting comma Splices . Insert a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence. Correct Sentences She writes the music for Coldplay, but he plays the guitar for that band. She writes the music for Coldplay, and he plays the guitar for that band. Remember, the coordinating conjunction appears afterwards the comma. *Note Again, consider meaning before joining sentences. If the sentences are not closely connected, it may be best to march on them separate. Think about these two independent clauses Today I was late for class. I will have a burrito for dinner tonight.Since these ideas are distinct, keep the sentences separate. 2. Insert a semi-colon. Correct Sentence She writes the music for Coldplay he plays the guitar for that band. Again, to join two independent clauses with a semi-colon, be sure that their meanings are closely connected. The Tutoring Center has a separate handout on semi-colon habitude. * See pages 4-7 for further explanation of these strategies as well as sample sentences and practice activities. Run-On Sentences Examples and Explanations Examples It was raining Naomi could not celebrate her umbrella. (Fused)It was raining, Naomi could not find her umbrella. (Comma Splice) How to take a leak these run-ons step 1 Identify the independent clauses. It was raining + Naomi could not find her umbrella. subject + verb phrase subject + verb phrase (direct object) Step 2 Use one of the below strategies. 1. Period + Capital Letter (Separate Sentences) It was raining. Naomi could not find her umbrella. S + V. S +V 2. Comma + organize concomitant (Compound Sentence) It was raining, and Naomi could not find her umbrella. S + V , and S + V . Semi-Colon It was raining Naomi could not find her umbrella. S + V S + V 4. Subordinating coincidence + Comma (Complex Sentence) Though it was raining, Naomi could not find her umbrella. dependent clause, S + V *Note Use the Tutoring Centers Transitions/Grammar Aid Handout to help identify coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Ask a tutor if you are uncle ar about the meanings of these conjunctions or in which situations to use them. Practice Avoiding Run-Ons Correct the following run-on sentences by using the strategies previously discussed. 1.I go to the United States when I was young it was unaffixed to learn English, my parents were already here, they k unsanded English already. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Juan and David recognized from each one other they had been in the first grade together. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Her car would not start she was late for class. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 . The parents ate the baby slept in her stroller. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Eli wants to relinquish smoking this habit is too expensive. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Avoiding Run-Ons Answer signalise and Explanations 1. I moved to the United States when I was young it was balmy to learn English, my parents were already here, they knew English. Strategy 1 Period + Capital Letter (Separate Sentences) I moved to the United States when I was young. S + V (prepositional phrase) (dependent clause) It was easy to learn English. S + V (adverb phrase) My parents were already here. They knew English. S + V (adverb phrase). S + V (direct object)Strategy 2 Coordinating Conjunction + Comma (Compound Sentenc e) I moved to the United States when I was young, and it was easy to learn English. S + V , and S + V My parents were already here, so they knew English. S + V , so S + V Strategy 3 Semi-Colon I moved to the United States when I was young it was easy to learn English. S + V S + V My parents were already here they knew English.S + V S + V Strategy 4 Subordination (Complex Sentence) Because I moved to the United States when I was young, it was easy to learn English. (dependent clause) + , S + V Because is a subordinating conjunction that makes the first clause dependent on the second clause. Do not use a coordinating conjunction to link a dependent clause and an independent clause rather, use only a comma. For example Since my parents were already here, they knew English. Note This run-on sentence can also be corrected using a combination of the above strategies. I moved to the United States when I was young, so it was easy to learn English. (compound sentence) Because my parents w ere already here, they knew English. (complex sentence) More suggested answers 2. Juan and David recognized each other they had been in the first grade together. S + V S + V (prepositional phrase) Juan and David recognized each other, for they had been in the first grade together.S + V , for S + V Since they had been in the first grade together, Juan and David recognized each other. Since + dependent clause , S + V Juan and David recognized each other. They had been in the first grade together. S + V. S + V Now its starting to make sense 3. Her car would not start, so she was late for class. Her car would not start, and she was late for class. Her car would not start. She was late for class. Because her car would not start, she was late for class.Her car would not start she was late for class. (correct, but not the best choice) 4. While the parents ate, the baby slept in her stroller. The parents ate as the baby slept in her stroller. The parents ate. The baby slept in her stroller . The parents ate, and the baby slept in her stroller. The parents ate the baby slept in her stroller. 5. Eli wants to quit smoking. This habit is too expensive. Eli wants to quit smoking this habit is too expensive. Eli wants to quit smoking, for this habit is too expensive. Since this habit is too expensive, Eli wants to quit smoking.A more logical, concise construction using subordination would read as follows Since smoking is too expensive, Eli wants to quit. Part II Sentence Fragments There are several(prenominal) types of fragments. See pages 9-11 for detailed explanations and techniques for correcting fragments. Pages 12-13 include practice activities and an answer key. Types of Fragments Each example below illustrates a different type of sentence fragment. Any fragment can be corrected by linking the fragment to an independent clauseone which comes before or after it and which makes sense within the paragraph.Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns after how unless whichever although if until while as in order that/to what whether as if once whatever who as soon as rather than when whoever as though since whenever whom because so that where whomever before than whereas whose even if that wherever why even though though which Strategies for correcting subordinating conjunction and relative pronoun fragments 1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it. Correct Sentences While I was waiting for my car to be repaired, I read a magazine. dependent clause , S + V Notice the use of the comma after the dependent clause (because the dependent clause falls at the beginning of the sentence).I had to ride the bus while I was waiting for my car to be repaired. S + V dependent phrase *Note When a dependent (subordinate) clause comes after the independent clause, it is usually unnecessary to place a comma after that independent clause. Whether or not a comma is needed depends on the meaning of the sentence. 2. Remove the subordinating conjunction/relative pronoun. Correct sentence I was waiting for my car to be repaired. S + V Strategies for correcting ing fragments 1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it. Correct sentences Her expertise organism in chemistry and biology, she was not hired as an English instructor. ependent ing phrase , S + V She designed the new science exhibit, her expertise being in chemistry and biology. S + V , dependent ing phrase 2. Correct the verb form. Correct sentences Her expertise is in chemistry and biology. Her expertise was in chemistry and biology. *Note Sometimes you will also need to add a subject and correct the verb form. See the next page for an example. . Strategies for correcting abstracted subject fragments 1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it. Correct Sentences gage set off the alarm, evacuated the building, and closed ll the entrances. In the above sentence, it is clear that the subject, the doer of the actions, is security. 2. Add the missing subject. Correct Sentence Security set off the alarm and evacuated the building. Next, they closed all the entrances. *Note In this sentence, the pronoun they renames the subject, security. Transition Words Indicating a List or Examples also especially except for instance including in addition furthermore for example such as next Strategies for correcting extra information fragments 1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it. Correct sentence Many Americans take basic amenities for granted, for example, clean water and electricity. S + V , dependent phrase 2. Add the missing subject and verb. Correct sentence For example, basic amenities include clean water and electricity. transitional phrase, S + V Practice Avoiding Fragments Correct these sentences using the strategies previously discussed. 1. The dog loved his new toys. Especially the ones that squeaked. _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Maggie remembered her childhood. Her bring forth making pancakes for dinner in the small apartment. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. She decided to meet her new friend in a public place. That they had coherent over e-mail. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Because she met him on MySpace. She thought it was a good idea to be cautious. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. I cannot wait until hot seats Day. Finally, a day off. ___ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________ Avoiding Fragments Answers and Explanations 1. The dog loved his new toys, especially the ones that squeaked. S + V , dependent clause The dog loved his new toys. He especially loved the ones that squeaked. S + V. S + V 2.Maggie remembered her childhood, especially her mother making pancakes for dinner in the S + V, dependent clause small apartment. Maggie remembered her childhood. Her mother made pancakes in the small apartment. S + V. S + V (correct form) 3. She decided to meet her new friend in a public place that they had arranged over email. S + V dependent clause She decided to meet her new friend in a public place. They had arranged a place over email. S + V. S + V 4. Because she met him on MySpace, she thought it was a good idea to be cautious. dependent clause, S + V She thought it was a good idea to be cau tious she met him on MySpace.S + V S+ V 5. I cannot wait until Presidents Day, finally, a day off. S +V, dependent phrase I cannot wait until Presidents Day. Finally, we have a day off. S + V. S + V Avoiding Run-On Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments A complete sentence has (minimally) two parts, a subject and a verb. A sentence must also express a complete thought. Such a phrase consisting of a subject and a verb (with complete meaning) is also called an independent clause. Example He writes music. This sentence has a subject and verb.This sentence also expresses a complete thought, so its meaning is clear. he=subject (S) writes=verb (V) music=direct object (DO) 1. Fused Sentence Definition A fused sentence consists of two independent clauses, but both the comma and coordinating conjunction are missing. Example of a Fused Sentence She writes the music he plays the guitar. She writes the music and he plays the guitar are each independent clauses, containing a subject and a ver b and expressing complete thoughts. He plays the guitar is an independent clause that can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought and is grammatically correct. he=subject (S)plays=verb (V)guitar=direct object (DO)However, in the above example, the independent clause, She writes the music, incorrectly runs into a second independent clause, he plays the guitar. 2. Comma Splice Definition A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that follow one another and are incorrectly linked together only with a comma (or commas). The coordinating conjunction is missing. Example of a Comma Splice She writes the music, he plays the guitar. In the above sentence, a comma separates the two independent clauses, but a coordinating conjunction is also necessary. 1. Subordinating Conjunction and Relative Pronoun Fragments Example While I was waiting for my car to be repaired. How to find this type of fragmentWhen proofreading a paper, pay attention to subordinating conjuncti ons and relative pronouns. These words (see box below) turn subjects and verbs into dependent clauses. Identifying proper usage of dependent clauses can help in recognizing fragments. 2. -ing Fragments Example Her expertise being in chemistry and biology. How to find an -ing fragment If the only verb in the sentence ends in ing and does not have a helping verb, you have a fragment. While the word being is a verb, in the above sentence, it is not properly formed. In the below sentence, notice that the -ing verb has a helping verb I was walking down the street when it started raining. (This sentence is correct. Was functions as the helping verb. )When added to a verb, -ing sometimes makes a verb do the job of a noun Walking outdoors is my favorite form of exercise. (In this sentence, walking is a noun that functions as the subject. Is functions as the main verb. ) 3. Missing Subject Fragments Example Security set off the alarm and evacuated the building. Next, closed all the entrances . How to find this type of fragment The second phrase above (noted in bold) is a fragment because in that location is no subject. Entrances is a noun, but it is the object of the verb closed. Who or what is closing the entrances is unknown. That is, the subject of the sentence is missing. 4. Extra Information Fragments Example For instance, clean water and electricity. How to find and fix this type of fragment