Identifying and Correcting Sentence Errors Fragments and Run-Ons Identifying and Correcting Sentence Errors  Les Hanson 2002

Introduction This presentation explains the following grammatical concepts: Clauses (dependent and independent) Sentences Fragments Run-Ons Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs

Clauses A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb You stink. Sally is talking. Most clauses have further information after the verb Subject Verb I hate grammar Sally is talking loudly

Two Types of Clauses Independent clause (Main clause) Can stand alone as a sentence Can be joined to another clause Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder. Dependent clause (Subordinate clause) Cannot stand alone as a sentence Must be joined to an independent clause Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers. A word that joins clauses is a conjunction

Joining Clauses A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause to make a sentence Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder because he wanted to make his own firecrackers. Or Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers, Mr. Wyatt filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder. When the sentence starts with the dependent clause, it must have a comma before the independent clause

Fragments Fragments look like sentences but are missing a subject or a verb, or they are put together incorrectly. Fragment Error Running the ball all the way to the end zone! No subject Marie the best skater in the class. No verb Before Jameson lit the fuse. A dependent clause by itself

Correcting Fragments Subjects or verbs can be added Joseph is running the ball all the way into the end zone. Marie, the best skater in the class, went on to win the gold medal in the 2022 North Pole Olympics. Fragments can be joined together Incorrect! Kolton first saw the snakes, and he and Bobby battled them bravely. But Mr. Wyatt ran away shrieking. Correct: Kolton first saw the snakes, and he and Bobby battled them bravely, but Mr. Wyatt ran away shrieking.

Run-ons Run-ons (fused sentences) occur when clauses are joined incorrectly. While camping, Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean, he always made Jake do it. Comma splice Nicholson yelled, “Stairs!” everyone heard, “Bears!” and went running off into the opposite direction. Run-on

Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Join the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction And, or, but, so, yet While camping, Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean, so he always made Jake do it. Join the clauses with a subordinating conjunction Because, although, if, when, since, after, etc. Because Webb didn’t want to lick his bowl clean while camping, he always made Jake do it.

Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Make the clauses into separate sentences The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car. The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop contest at AT because of their super knowledge of physics. They used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car.

Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Join two independent clauses with a semicolon (;)if they are closely related. You may include a conjunctive adverb along with the semicolon: Conjunctive Adverbs: however, for example, therefore, moreover, indeed, consequently, etc. The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car. The group McLovin’ won the Egg Drop Contest at Adventure Treks because of their superior knowledge of physics; additionally, they used their winnings to buy Mr. Wyatt a new car. . Notice how the sentence is punctuated

Correct the following Mr. Wyatt managed to make it home and change his clothes, and he told his parents a dog bit off his foot, he avoided punishment for playing with explosives. Mr. W. managed to make it home and change his clothes. He told his parents he fell off his bicycle, thus avoiding punishment for playing with explosives. Mr. W. managed to make it home. He changed his clothes and told his parents that he fell off his bicycle. He avoided punishment for playing with explosives. Mr. W. left town shortly after. Didn’t see him again for five years. Mr. Wyatt left town shortly after, I and didn’t see him again for five years.

Correct the following Took a trip home last summer. I ran into Mr. W. after my long absence he is unable to play soccer. Didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers. During a trip home last summer, I ran into Mr. W. after a long absence. He is unable to play soccer. I didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers. After a long absence, I took a trip home last summer. I ran into Mr. W., who is unable to play soccer. I didn’t ask if he still plays with firecrackers.

Interactive Exercise You can get further practise by clicking the button below or by following the link to the interactive exercise http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/leshanson/Hot_Potato/Sentence_Structure_6.htm