Fragments and run-ons and splices! OH MY! A brief guide. To major grammatical errors that can turn potential A’s into disasters teachers will cringe when they see these mistakes, I’m sure every one of you is cringing too. By: Kimberly Lynn McGraw Revised by Mamie Webb Hixon (9/20/10) 1

Fragments and run-ons and splices! OH MY! A brief guide. [fragment] To major grammatical errors that can turn potential A’s into disasters [fragment][run-on sentence] teachers will cringe when they see these mistakes,[comma splice] I’m sure every one of you is cringing too. 2

Fragments FRAGMENT A group of words that does not express a completed thought. 3

Intentional Fragments Splendid entertainment from a master storyteller. A soon-to-be classic. One of the most mesmerizing stories of the decade. Achieves Shakespearean dimensions. The intentional fragments above are from advertising print media about the 2010 movie The Social Network. 4

Intentional Fragments From Grammar in Context by Kitty Chen Dean ADVERTISING LANGUAGE: Identify the intentional fragments in the advertising copy below. The perfect jacket for all occasions. Dressy with a tie. Casual with a polo shirt. Stain resistant. Waterproof. Inside and outside pockets. Secret pocket for important documents. Roomy. Hand-turned lapels. Five-button cuffs. Comes in charcoal or black. Order now while supplies last. One per customer, please. Want to lose weight? Have friends? Get a good job? Find that special someone? Join the TopNotch Health and Sports Club and make all your dreams come true. Sign up today! Join now and get the first month free. Also a tee shirt with our logo. And two free passes for anyone you know. A great bargain! Subscribe to Computer Casuals. The only magazine that tells you what to wear while you work at your computer. You’ll feel better knowing you look right for Games. Chats. Surfing. 5

Intentional Fragments From Grammar in Context by Kitty Chen Dean “Professional writers often use intentional fragments for emphasis and variety since they want to attract and maintain their audience.” The perfect jacket for all occasions. Dressy with a tie. Casual with a polo shirt. Stain resistant. Waterproof. Inside and outside pockets. Secret pocket for important documents. Roomy. Hand-turned lapels. Five-button cuffs. Comes in charcoal or black. Order now while supplies last. One per customer, please. Want to lose weight? Have friends? Get a good job? Find that special someone? Join the TopNotch Health and Sports Club and make all your dreams come true. Sign up today! Join now and get the first month free. Also a tee shirt with our logo. And two free passes for anyone you know. A great bargain! Subscribe to Computer Casuals. The only magazine that tells you what to wear while you work at your computer. You’ll feel better knowing you look right for Games. Chats. Surfing. 6

Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. Avoid unintentional fragments in academic and business writing. A fragment IS NOT a true sentence, though it is capitalized and punctuated as if it were a sentence. A true sentence must have the following: –subject- complete, finite verb- a complete thought Examples –Correct The buying of so many American companies and so much real estate by the Japanese has caused concern on Wall Street. –Incorrect The buying of so many American companies. (missing complete thought) The buying of so many American companies causing concern on Wall Street. (missing complete verb) Of so many American companies has caused concern. (missing a subject) 7

Spotting Fragments from Frederick Crews’ The Random House Handbook, 6 th Ed. You can recognize many fragments by the words they introduce. Subordinating terms such as although, because, especially, even, except, for example, including, instead of, so that, such as, that which, who, and when. A PASSAGE ERROR-RIDDEN WITH FRAGMENTS I have always helped my older brother. Especially with his car. In addition, I assisted him with many chores. Such as washing the car and vacuuming the interior. He let me do whatever I wanted. Except start the engine. Now I drive my own car. Which is a 1993 Chevy. Because of my experience with cars, I am thinking of possible jobs to help pay the cost of upkeep. Including driving a cab. Because maintaining a car can be extremely expensive. REVISED I have always helped my older brother, especially with his car. In addition, I assisted him with many chores, such as washing the car and vacuuming the interior. He let me do whatever I wanted except start the engine. Now I drive my own car, which is a 1993 Chevy. Because of my experience with cars, I am thinking of possible jobs to help pay the cost of upkeep, including driving a cab because maintaining a car can be extremely expensive. 8

Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. A group of words can contain a subject and a verb and still be a fragment: Local agencies will become overcrowded and ineffective. Unless the number of mental health services is increased. On Thursday, we reported the numbers of our missing traveler’s checks. Which were lost during our arrival in New Orleans that morning. If there are no more malpractice suits, the hospital will win its license renewal. However, no one can be sure. Because patients are very quick to go to court. 9

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition Connect the fragment to the preceding sentence, which is most likely the sentence from which the fragment is disconnected. Local agencies will become overcrowded and ineffective. Unless the number of mental health services is increased. On Thursday, we reported the numbers of our missing traveler’s checks. Which were lost during our arrival in New Orleans that morning. If there are no more malpractice suits, the hospital will win its license renewal. However, no one can be sure. Because patients are very quick to go to court. Revised: Local agencies will become overcrowded and ineffective unless the number of mental health services is increased. On Thursday, we reported the numbers of our missing traveler’s checks, which were lost during our arrival in New Orleans that morning. If there are no more malpractice suits, the hospital will win its license renewal. However, no one can be sure because patients are very quick to go to court. 10

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition Connect the fragment to the preceding sentence, which is most likely the sentence from which the fragment is disconnected. --The prime rate went down two percentage points during the last quarter. Although government economists are still worried about high inflation and low productivity. --I like many kinds of snacks. Pizza being the best. Revised: The prime rate went down two percentage points during the last quarter although government economists are still worried about high inflation and low productivity. I like many kinds of snacks, pizza being the best. 11

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition Connect the fragment to the preceding sentence, which is most likely the sentence from which the fragment is disconnected. --In August of 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and Louisiana with winds that clocked 175 mph. The country’s worst natural disaster in this century. --At the class reunion, we laughed and reminisced. And sang old songs from the sixties. Revised: In August of 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and Louisiana with winds that clocked 175 mph, the country’s worst natural disaster in this century. At the class reunion, we laughed and reminisced and sang old songs from the sixties. 12

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition Change the fragment to a sentence. --I’ll never forget the birthday present my dad bought me when I was ten. A new three-speed bike. --Political and religious systems, social customs, loyalties and traditions tumbling down like so many rotten apples off a tree. Revised: I’ll never forget the birthday present my dad bought me when I was ten. It was a new three-speed bike. Political and religious systems, social customs, loyalties and traditions came tumbling down like so many rotten apples off a tree. 13

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition Add the missing subject or verb, or remove or change the punctuation. --His character was stern. His manner reserved and usually forbidding. --The speech for my film class took a long time to prepare. And then turned out poorly. I needed a live audience. But didn’t have one for the test. Revised: His character was stern. His manner was reserved and usually forbidding. The speech for my film class took a long time to prepare and then turned out poorly. I needed a live audience but didn’t have one for the test. 14

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition The study showed that many employees eventually begin to neglect their duties. Merely because they become bored with their job. The Color Purple is the story of the trials and tribulations of two sisters. Overcoming obstacles to discover themselves and to find each other after a long separation. Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed center of the art world. A center that is livelier than those of prewar Europe. In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students attending colleges and universities in the United States; the largest number coming from the Middle East. 15

Revising Fragments from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed., and Martha Kolln’s Understanding English Grammar, 4 th Edition The study showed that many employees eventually begin to neglect their duties merely because they become bored with their job. The Color Purple is the story of the trials and tribulations of two sisters overcoming obstacles to discover themselves and to find each other after a long separation. Since 1945, New York has been the undisputed center of the art world, a center that is livelier than those of prewar Europe. In 1977, there were 200,000 foreign students attending colleges and universities in the United States, the largest number coming from the Middle East. 16

Run-On/Fused Sentences from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. and Mamie Hixon’s Real Good Grammar, Too, 2 nd ed. RUN-ON SENTENCE A sentence construction error that occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are not separated by a coordinating conjunction or any punctuation 17

Run-On/Fused Sentences from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. and Mamie Hixon’s Real Good Grammar, Too, 2 nd ed. A LONG SENTENCE IS NOT NECESSARILY A RUN-ON SENTENCE. CORRECT SENTENCE: Black-bearded, pale-faced, with thin, compressed lips, aquiline nose, and dark, piercing eyes, he slouched in his weather-stained uniform; yet he was greatly beloved by the few who knew him best, and he was gifted with that strange power of commanding measureless devotion from the thousands whom he ruled with an iron hand. 18

Run-On/Fused Sentences from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. and Mamie Hixon’s Real Good Grammar, Too, 2 nd ed. A RUN-ON SENTENCE CAN BE A SHORT SENTENCE. RUN-ON SENTENCE: The new CEO isn’t only handsome he’s rich too. Walk with your feet dance with your heart. 19

Run-On/Fused Sentences from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. and Mamie Hixon’s Real Good Grammar, Too, 2 nd ed. Examples: Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life he also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year however, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over then he asked the professor if he could leave early. 20

Revising Run-On Sentences Revision 1: Add a period and a capital letter. Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life. He also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year. However, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. Revision 2: Add a semicolon Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life; he also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year; however, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. 21

Revising Run-On Sentences Revision 1: Add a period and a capital letter. Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over. Then he asked the professor if he could leave early. Revision 2: Add a semicolon Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over; then he asked the professor if he could leave early. 22

Run-On/Fused Sentences from the HBJ Handbook, 1992 Edition Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish in addition, she is learning Chinese. Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion she never intended them for publication. Rus works part time as a security guard he is helping to pay his tuition. Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver from there, they drove to the ski lodge in Aspen. Cloning has aroused great interest as a scientific novelty however, its implications seem frightening to many. 23

Revising Run-On Sentences Liz is already fluent in English and Spanish; in addition, she is learning Chinese. Emily Dickinson wrote her poems in seclusion; she never intended them for publication. Rus works part time as a security guard; he is helping to pay his tuition. Stewart and Rosemary flew to Denver; from there, they drove to the ski lodge in Aspen. Cloning has aroused great interest as a scientific novelty; however, its implications seem frightening to many. 24

Comma Splices/Comma Faults from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. COMMA SPLICE aka COMMA FAULT A comma splice is a sentence error, not a comma error. A comma splice occurs when two complete sentences are separated only by a comma. 25

Comma Splices/Comma Faults The following sentence contains a comma error, NOT a comma splice: What’s more dangerous than aggressive driving, is indecisive driving. A comma error is a punctuation error, not a sentence error. 26

Revising Comma Splices from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. The divorce rate has risen sharply in recent years, many couples, consequently, now choose to live together before marrying. Graduate students who are also teaching assistants (TA’s) carry a double burden, they must balance the needs of their students against the demands of their own studies. Angie arrived on campus with mixed feelings, she was already homesick as well as excited. Mrs. Webb listens to everyone's opinions, then she makes up her own mind. 27

Revising Comma Splices from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. The divorce rate has risen sharply in recent years; many couples, consequently, now choose to live together before marrying. Graduate students who are also teaching assistants (TA’s) carry a double burden; they must balance the needs of their students against the demands of their own studies. Angie arrived on campus with mixed feelings; she was already homesick as well as excited. Mrs. Webb listens to everyone's opinions; then she makes up her own mind. 28

Comma Splices from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life, he also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year, however, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over, then he asked the professor if he could leave early. 29

Comma Splice Revisions from James A. Heffernan's and John E. Lincoln’s Writing: A College Handbook, 2 nd ed. Revision 1: Add a period and a capital letter. Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life. He also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year. However, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over. Then he asked the professor if he could leave early. Revision 2: Add a semicolon Henry David Thoreau went to the woods in order to simplify his life; he also wanted to live close to nature. Most working people get at least one raise a year; however, inflation often leaves them with no increase in buying power. Ethan didn’t show up for class until it was half over; then he asked the professor if he could leave early. 30

A Few Exceptions from John McKernan’s The Writer’s Handbook, 2 nd ed. and Mamie Hixon’s Real Good Grammar, Too, 2 nd ed. Intentional use of fragments –Used for effect We live in Florida, and summers are always hot. So hot! Two exceptions to comma splices –Short, parallel independent clauses joined by commas He fished, she cooked, we all ate. I came, I saw, I conquered. –Short question and short statement joined by commas I didn’t know, did you? 31

BONUS QUESTION IS THE FOLLOWING WORD GROUP A RUN-ON, FRAGMENT, COMMA SPLICE, OR CORRECT? –Verizon Wireless said Sunday that it would pay up to $90 million in refunds to 15 million cell phone customers who were wrongly charged for data sessions or Internet use, one of the largest-ever customer refunds by a telecommunications company. –Breaking News Alert The New York Times Sun., October 03, :21 PM ET 32

BONUS QUESTION IS THE FOLLOWING WORD GROUP A RUN-ON, FRAGMENT, COMMA SPLICE, OR CORRECT? –Verizon Wireless said Sunday that it would pay up to $90 million in refunds to 15 million cell phone customers who were wrongly charged for data sessions or Internet use, one of the largest-ever customer refunds by a telecommunications company. –Breaking News Alert The New York Times Sun., October 03, :21 PM ET 33

SENTENCING Now that you have completed this “crash course” in Sentence Errors, you have the following “sentencing”: Don’t write run-on sentences they are hard to read. Do not separate two sentences with a comma, use a semicolon or a period. And no sentence fragments. 34

Resources Dean, Kitty Chen. English Grammar in Context. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Heffernan, James A., and John E. Lincoln. Writing: A College Handbook. 2 nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., Hixon, Mamie Webb. Real Good Grammar, Too. 2 nd ed. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Kolln, Martha. Understanding English Grammar, Fourth Edition. New York: MacMillan Publishing, McKernan, John. The Writer’s Handbook. 2 nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.,