Fragments, Run-Ons, & Comma Splices Grammar Unit 3

Part 1: Fragments Fragment = a sentence that doesn’t have an independent clause (has a subject & a verb) Fragment = a sentence that doesn’t have an independent clause (has a subject & a verb) Ex: Hit the winning run.(no subject) Ex: Hit the winning run.(no subject) A Dependent Clause has a subject and verb, but it leaves the reader hanging. A Dependent Clause has a subject and verb, but it leaves the reader hanging. After Mario hit the winning run. (What?) After Mario hit the winning run. (What?) Although the weather was cold. (What?) Although the weather was cold. (What?) So, dependent clauses STANDING ALONE are fragments! So, dependent clauses STANDING ALONE are fragments!

More Fragments Phrase (missing subject and/or verb) = fragment Phrase (missing subject and/or verb) = fragment In the morning. In the morning. Wore a blue suit. Wore a blue suit. Dependent clauses and phrases are important to our writing b/c they add details, but they CANNOT be sentences by themselves. Dependent clauses and phrases are important to our writing b/c they add details, but they CANNOT be sentences by themselves.

How to Identify Fragments Step 1: Find the verb, and double underline it. Step 1: Find the verb, and double underline it. No verb = Phrase = Fragment No verb = Phrase = Fragment Verb – Go to Step 2. Verb – Go to Step 2. Early in the morning. (No verb=Phrase=Fragment) Early in the morning. (No verb=Phrase=Fragment) After Mark drove all night. (Verb – Step 2) After Mark drove all night. (Verb – Step 2) Step 2: Find the subject and underline it. Step 2: Find the subject and underline it. No subject = Phrase = Fragment No subject = Phrase = Fragment Subject – You have a clause. Go to Step 3. Subject – You have a clause. Go to Step 3. Drove all night. (No subject=Phrase=Fragment) Drove all night. (No subject=Phrase=Fragment) After Mark drove all night. (Verb & Subject=Clause – Step 3) After Mark drove all night. (Verb & Subject=Clause – Step 3)

Step 3: You have a clause; determine which type (Independent or Dependent). Step 3: You have a clause; determine which type (Independent or Dependent). Find the Subordinating Conjunction and underline it with a wavy line. Find the Subordinating Conjunction and underline it with a wavy line. Subordinating Conjunction and INCOMPLETE IDEA= Dependent Clause = Fragment Subordinating Conjunction and INCOMPLETE IDEA= Dependent Clause = Fragment No Subordinating Conjunction OR Subordinating Conjunction WITH a COMPLETE IDEA = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence No Subordinating Conjunction OR Subordinating Conjunction WITH a COMPLETE IDEA = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence

Examples: Examples: After Mark drove all night. (SC and incomplete idea = Dependent Clause = Fragment) After Mark drove all night. (SC and incomplete idea = Dependent Clause = Fragment) Mark drove all night. (No SC = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence) Mark drove all night. (No SC = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence) After Mark drove all night, he was tired. (SC and complete idea = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence) After Mark drove all night, he was tired. (SC and complete idea = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence)

Fixing Fragments 2 ways to fix a fragment, and both involve erasing something 2 ways to fix a fragment, and both involve erasing something

Method #1 Erase the period and attach the fragment to a sentence that has an independent clause. Erase the period and attach the fragment to a sentence that has an independent clause. In the morning. (Phrase=Fragment) In the morning. (Phrase=Fragment) Sherry jogs three miles. (IC=Sentence) In the morning, Sherry jogs three miles. In the morning, Sherry jogs three miles.OR Sherry jogs three miles in the morning. Sherry jogs three miles in the morning.

Method #2 If a fragment is a dependent clause, you can erase the subordinating conjunction and turn the dependent clause into an independent clause. If a fragment is a dependent clause, you can erase the subordinating conjunction and turn the dependent clause into an independent clause. When the dog chews the newspaper. (DC=Fragment) When the dog chews the newspaper. (DC=Fragment) The dog chews the newspaper. The dog chews the newspaper.

Your Assignment… Complete the Practice Worksheet Complete the Practice Worksheet Be ready for a quiz on fragments and fixing fragments! Be ready for a quiz on fragments and fixing fragments!

Part 2: Comma Splices & Run-Ons

Comma Splices & Run- Ons… Both have 2 independent clauses Both have 2 independent clauses A comma splice has a comma between the 2 independent clauses A comma splice has a comma between the 2 independent clauses Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. A run-on doesn’t have a comma between the 2 independent clauses A run-on doesn’t have a comma between the 2 independent clauses Sue cooked dinner Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner Joe washed the dishes.

Fixing Comma Splices & Run-Ons 4 methods to fix them 4 methods to fix them Instead of erasing something, you add something. (opposite of fixing fragments) Instead of erasing something, you add something. (opposite of fixing fragments)

Method #1 Add a period at the spot where the 2 clauses meet to separate them into 2 sentences. Add a period at the spot where the 2 clauses meet to separate them into 2 sentences. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner. Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT) Sue cooked dinner. Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT)

Method #2 Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) between the 2 independent clauses. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) between the 2 independent clauses. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, and Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT) Sue cooked dinner, and Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT)

Coordinating Conjunctions

Know FANBOYS!!! They are the only words that can be used with a comma to separate 2 independent clauses. They are the only words that can be used with a comma to separate 2 independent clauses.

Method #3 Add a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of one of the independent clauses to make it dependent. Add a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of one of the independent clauses to make it dependent. Use the subordinating conjunction that fits the meaning of your sentence. Use the subordinating conjunction that fits the meaning of your sentence. A comma must follow the dependent clause when it is at the beginning of a sentence. A comma must follow the dependent clause when it is at the beginning of a sentence. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. (CS) Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. (CS) After Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. After Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes.OR Sue cooked dinner before Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner before Joe washed the dishes.

Method #4 Add a semi-colon (;) between the 2 clauses if they relate to one another. Add a semi-colon (;) between the 2 clauses if they relate to one another. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; Joe washed the dishes. A variation of the semi-colon method: Add a conjunctive adverb (transitions) followed by a comma. A variation of the semi-colon method: Add a conjunctive adverb (transitions) followed by a comma. Put the semi-colon after the 1 st independent clause, then write the conjunctive adverb followed by a comma and the 2 nd independent clause. Put the semi-colon after the 1 st independent clause, then write the conjunctive adverb followed by a comma and the 2 nd independent clause.

Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; therefore, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; therefore, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; consequently, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; consequently, Joe washed the dishes.

Common Conjunctive Adverbs However However Therefore Therefore Consequently Consequently Nevertheless Nevertheless Accordingly Accordingly Furthermore Furthermore Hence Hence Moreover Moreover Also, look at your Transition Words List (in your definition essay packet) for more conjunctive adverbs.

Your Assignment… Complete the practice worksheet and… Complete the practice worksheet and… Study for the quiz!!! Study for the quiz!!!