COMMA SPLICES, FUSED SENTENCES, AND FRAGMENTS A FEW WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WRITING FLOW MORE NATURALLY

FIRST, SOME DEFINITIONS Comma Splice – This is when you use a comma between two independent clauses (two full sentence) when you DON’T NEED TO! –Ex: Mary Ellen screamed, as her pet tarantula crawled out of the room Fused Sentence – Also called a run-on. This is when two independent clauses are shoved together without the proper punctuation (comma, period, or semi-colon) –EX: The teacher screamed so the student shoved the tarantula back in his bag. Sentence Fragment – This is when you have an incomplete thought posing as a full sentence. –Ex: When we walked to the park, after we had finished all our tests on the last day of school.

JUST A COUPLE MORE Independent Clause – This is a full sentence. It should have a subject and a verb. Dependent Clause – This is not a full sentence. It is missing something or needs to be attached to something else. It can’t stand alone! Coordinating Conjunction – These are the words you use to combine independent clauses. They are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So (FANBOYS) Dependent Clause Markers – These are words that signal a dependent clause. BEWARE! These words will quickly turn your fabulous sentences into fragments. A few examples are: When, While, Where, As, Unless, and Since. Independent Clause Markers – These are words that can go after a semi- colon. A few examples are: However, Therefore, Consequently, Also, and Nevertheless.

LABEL THE PARTS OF THESE SENTENCES He’d passed houses he wasn’t a stranger to, and he’d been stared at by several people he knew. When you read a book like this it is easy to get lost in your head. While many people love to read, the number of bookstores in the United States dwindles each year. Unless you see the movie. Coordinating Conjunction Dependent Clause Marker D.C.I.C. Fragment

THE NUMBERS WE HAD THE MOST TROUBLE WITH: 4, 6, 7, 8, AND 9/3 # 3: Running late with dinner, Elizabeth fussed with seasonings and wiped spots off the glasses. While the family stared at their empty plates. –A. dinner; Elizabeth –B. seasonings, and –C. glasses while –D. No change is necessary.

THE NUMBERS WE HAD THE MOST TROUBLE WITH: 4, 6, 7, 8, AND 9/3 # 3: Running late with dinner, Elizabeth fussed with seasonings and wiped spots off the glasses. While the family stared at their empty plates. –A. dinner; Elizabeth (Improper use of Semi-Colon) –B. seasonings, and (Comma Splice) –C. glasses while (Correct Answer) –D. No change is necessary. (Fragment) Semi-Colons! Use a Semi-colon to join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). Use a Semi-colon to join two independent clauses with an independent clause marker (however, therefore, consequently, also, nevertheless, etc.)

WE ALL HAD TROUBLE HERE... # 4: Everyone scrambled off the lakeside patio. When the 10-foot alligator lumbered onto shore. A. patio when B. patio ; when C. patio, when D. No change is necessary.

WE ALL HAD TROUBLE HERE... # 4: Everyone scrambled off the lakeside patio. When the 10-foot alligator lumbered onto shore. A. patio when (Correct Answer) B. patio ; when (Incorrect use of semi-colon) C. patio, when (Dep./ Ind. clause order) D. No change is necessary. (Fragment) Clause Order and Commas Independent Clause + Dependent Clause = NO comma The dogs drooled while they ate their pizza. Dependent Clause + Independent Clause = YES comma While they ate their pizza, the dogs drooled.

AAAAND THIS ONE... #6: Warren wanted to make a good impression on Melody but the soda explosion that soaked his shirt ruined their first meeting. A. Melody; but, the B. Melody; however, the C. Melody, however, the D. No change is necessary.

AAAAND THIS ONE... #6: Warren wanted to make a good impression on Melody but the soda explosion that soaked his shirt ruined their first meeting. A. Melody; but, the (Semi-Colon doesn’t go with coordinating conjunctions) B. Melody; however, the (Correct Answer!) C. Melody, however, the (Needs a coordinating conjunction NOT an independent clause marker) D. No change is necessary. (Run-on) Semi-Colons! Use a Semi-colon to join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). Use a Semi-colon to join two independent clauses with an independent clause marker (however, therefore, consequently, also, nevertheless, etc.)

NUMERO SEVEN! #7: Because of the hot sun, ice cream ran down the cone and coated Randall’s fingers, his tongue couldn’t keep up. A.sun; ice cream B.Cone, and C.Fingers, for his D.No change is necessary

NUMERO SEVEN! #7: Because of the hot sun, ice cream ran down the cone and coated Randall’s fingers, his tongue couldn’t keep up. A.sun; ice cream(Semi-colon usage) B.Cone, and(Comma Splice!) C.Fingers, for his(Correct answer!) D.No change is necessary(Needs coordinating conjunction with comma) Remember! The subject that directly follows your introductory clause MUST be the subject related to the clause. Ex: Because of the hot sun, he licked the ice cream running down the cone.

NEED A BRAIN BREAK?

AAAAND MOVING ON! # 8: Wanda took a deep breath and got ready to yell. Because Paul was about to explain why his half of the rent would be late again. A.yell, because B.Yell because C.Yell for D.No change is necessary

AAAAND MOVING ON! # 8: Wanda took a deep breath and got ready to yell. Because Paul was about to explain why his half of the rent would be late again. A.yell, because (not a FANBOYS) B.Yell because(correct answer) C.Yell for(Fanboys NEED a comma) D.No change is necessary (Fragment) Because I said So! Do NOT put commas before because unless it will clear up confusion in your sentence (rare). The word “because” indicates that you are about to explain or add meaning to your sentence. This makes the phrase following “because” essential and thus no comma is needed!

LAST ONE! # 9: After Simon bought roses for Emily, he spotted Derek’s car in her driveway and realized that this gesture would not repair the relationship or win back her love. A.Emily. He B.Driveway. And C.Relationship; or D.No change is necessary

LAST ONE! # 9: After Simon bought roses for Emily, he spotted Derek’s car in her driveway and realized that this gesture would not repair the relationship or win back her love. A.Emily. He (Fragment) B.Driveway. And (Comma splice) C.Relationship; or (Semi-colon with coordinating conjunction) D.No change is necessary (Correct answer!)

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LESSON. Fix the sentences on the worksheet, and explain what is wrong with each one. Due Monday! (4/11)