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

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

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

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

16. Comma Splices
Comma splice

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

18. Comma Splices
Comma Splice

19. 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

20. Comma Splices
Complete sentence

21. 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

22. Comma Splices
Comma Splice

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

24. Comma Splices
Complete sentence

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

26. Comma Splices
Comma splice

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

28. Comma Splices
Complete sentence

29. 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

30. Comma Splices
Complete sentence

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

32. Comma Splices
Complete sentence

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

34. Comma Splices
Comma splice

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

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

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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.

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

41. 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.

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

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

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

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

46. Fragments
Fragment

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

48. Fragments
Complete Sentence

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

50. Fragments
a.) Complete Sentence

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

52. Fragments
b.) Fragment

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

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

55. Fragments
b.) Fragment

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

57. Fragments
b.) Fragment

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

59. Fragments
b.) Fragment

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

61. Fragments
a.) Complete Sentence

62. 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

63. Fragments
a.) Complete Sentence

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

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

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

67. 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.

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

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

70. 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.

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

72. 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

73. Run-on Sentences
a.) Run-on

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

75. Run-on Sentences
a.) Run-on

76. 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

77. Run-on Sentences
b.) Complete sentence

78. 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

79. Run-on Sentences
b.) Complete sentence

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

81. Run-on Sentences
a.) Run-on

82. 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

83. Run-on Sentences
b.) Complete sentence

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

85. Run-on Sentences
b.) Complete sentence

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

87. Run-on Sentences
a.) Run-on

88. 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

89. Run-on Sentences
b.) Complete sentence

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

91. Run-on Sentences
a.) Run-on