Comma Splices, Fragments, and Run-on Sentences 232 Najd

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ You can start a sentence with because, as long as you make sure to fully complete the sentence. One clause beginning with the word because does not constitute a sentence.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ These are fragments: X Because the newspapers reported it. X Because the river ran dry.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ You can start a sentence with because if you follow it with a complete independent clause.

Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ These are complete sentences:  Because the newspapers reported it, the neighbors believed it.  Because the river ran dry, the dam would no longer provide electricity.

Comma Splices Comma Splices A comma splice is a type of run-on whereby two independent clauses—or complete sentences—are incorrectly joined by a comma.

Today I am tired, I will take a nap later. Comma Splices Example Today I am tired, I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices Grammatical Error: This comma splice has two independent clauses or complete sentences joined incorrectly by only a comma.

Comma Splices Reasoning: The first part of the sentence ("Today I am tired") is an independent clause or complete sentence, and the second phrase ("I will take a nap later") is also an independent clause or complete sentence. The two sentences need to be joined by more than just a comma.

Comma Splices There are three ways to correct a comma splice, and they are similar to the three ways of correcting a run-on.

Comma Splices Corrected Example 1. Replace the comma with a period and make two different sentences. Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices 2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a coordinate conjunction after the comma. Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices 3. Join the two separate sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (;). Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Comma Splices Decide if the following sentences are comma splices or a complete sentences.

Comma Splices 1.) John is always late for work, nobody seems to care. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Comma splice

Comma Splices 2.) Hot summer weather is nice, high temperatures are dangerous for certain people. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Comma Splice

Comma Splices 3.) Emily broke her ankle on the weekend; now she is in a great deal of pain. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Complete sentence

Comma Splices 4.) Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's health. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Comma Splice

Comma Splices 5.) When a student likes his class, he is more likely to achieve good grades. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Complete sentence

Comma Splices 6.) James has an interview with the PBS, I might get a job as his assistant. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Comma splice

Comma Splices 7.) After I was paid last week, I was able to do the grocery shopping. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Complete sentence

Comma Splices 8.) Due to the fact that I am so busy this week, I don't have time for my animals. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Complete sentence

Comma Splices 9.) Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Complete sentence

Comma Splices 10.) The air conditioner is too loud, Cleo can't sleep. a.) Comma splice b.) Complete sentence

Comma Splices Comma splice

Fragments A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It is missing one or more of the following parts: a subject a verb a coherent thought

Fragments Example #1 Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a bird in the middle of the road out in the storm.

Fragments Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "while." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

Fragments Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you saw a bird sitting in the middle of the road out in the storm.

Fragments Example #1 (corrected) Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a sitting bird in the middle of the road out in the storm, I thought it must have wandered away from its nest.

Fragments Example #2 When I went to the movies last week and I ran into a friend.

Fragments Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "when." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

Fragments Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you went to the movies last week and ran into a friend.

Fragments Example 2 (corrected) When I ran into a friend at the movies last week, I suggested we sit together.

Fragments Select the choice that tells whether the clause is a fragment or a complete sentence.

Fragments 1.) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments Fragment

Fragments 2.) When I took my exam today, I was very nervous. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments Complete Sentence

Fragments 3.) Wherever I go, I take my cell phone with me. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments a.) Complete Sentence

Fragments 4.) If I don't take my cell phone, and I need to make a call. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments b.) Fragment

Fragments 5.) As soon as I finish this grammar exercise, I will eat lunch. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments 6.) Because I didn't have time to write my paper and the computer was broken anyway. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments b.) Fragment

Fragments 7.) Before I go to the mall or maybe I will see a movie instead. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments b.) Fragment

Fragments 8.) Whether I complete this course and get credit for it in the fall. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments b.) Fragment

Fragments 9.) Until I can learn to manage my time better, I am afraid I will always be late. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments a.) Complete Sentence

Fragments 10.) So that I don't spend too much time on any of my projects, I make sure I take frequent breaks. a.) Complete Sentence b.) Fragment

Fragments a.) Complete Sentence

Run-on Sentences A run-on contains two independent clauses combined without proper punctuation (or two sentences in one).

Run-on Sentences Example #1 (run-on) Today I am tired I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences Grammatical Error: This run-on has two separate independent clauses, or complete sentences, with no conjunction and no punctuation.

Run-on Sentences Reasoning: The first part of the sentence "Today I am tired" is an independent clause or a complete sentence, and the second phrase "I will take a nap later" is also an independent clause or a complete sentence. Therefore, we have two sentences in one without proper punctuation to connect them.

Run-on Sentences There are three ways to correct a run-on:

Run-on Sentences 1. Separate the run-on by making two different sentences. Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences 2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a comma and a coordinate conjunction. Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences 3. Join the two sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (;). Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences 1.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I'm regretting not having listened to her. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences a.) Run-on

Run-on Sentences 2.) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences a.) Run-on

Run-on Sentences 3.) Organizations that promise students a scholarship if they pay an extraordinarily high application fee are most likely scams. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences 4.) Because Rose was late for the all-you-can-eat buffet, she had to order from the main menu. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences 5.) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences a.) Run-on

Run-on Sentences 6.) Although an immigration lawyer might help me to stay in this country, his fees are too expensive for me to afford. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences 7.) I like the history class because the material is explained so well. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences 8.) We followed the map we ended up in Canada instead. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences a.) Run-on

Run-on Sentences 9.) Although the trip to Montreal was not very well planned, we had a great time. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences 10.) I received an A on my Psychology test I am happy. a.) Run-on b.) Complete sentence

Run-on Sentences a.) Run-on