1. Fragments
If a sentence lacks a subject, verb, or a complete thought, it is a fragment.

2. Common Fragment
A dependent word fragment has a subject and a verb but does not have a complete thought.
Example: Because Laura was tired.
The reader wants to know what happened because Laura was tired.
A word group that begins with “because” or another dependent word cannot stand alone; another idea is needed to complete the thought.

3. Example Because Laura was tired, She took a nap.
When the man pointed the gun at us. Dependent word fragment
When the man pointed the gun at us, ____________________________.
After I turned off the television set.
_________________after I turned off the television set.

4. Reminder
When a dependent word group starts a sentence, follow it with a comma.
Example: When the man pointed the gun at us, we gave him our money.
The way to correct a dependent word fragment will be to connect it to the sentence that comes before or after it.

5. Common Dependent Words
After
Since
Wherever
Although
That
Whether As
Though
Which
Because
Unless
While
Before
Until
who
Even if
What
Even though
When
Even when
Whenever If
where

6. Practice Identify the five dependent word fragments.
Before she goes to bed at night, Donna gets ready for the next day. Which will begin very early. She will get up before sunrise. Even if she stays up late studying. She wakes up so early because she has her own office cleaning business. She does the cleaning jobs early in the morning. Before the employees arrive at the office. In the evening, she makes sure she has all her supplies together. Because she doesn’t want to forget anything. Donna can’t do everything she needs to do. Unless she is well organized.

7. Further Practice
Before she goes to bed at night, Donna gets ready for the next day. Which will begin very early. She will get up before sunrise. Even if she stays up late studying. She wakes up so early because she has her own office cleaning business. She does the cleaning jobs early in the morning. Before the employees arrive at the office. In the evening, she makes sure she has all her supplies together. Because she doesn’t want to forget anything. Donna can’t do everything she needs to do. Unless she is well organized.

8. Practice
Underline the dependent word fragment then correct it. Remember, to add a comma after a dependent word group that begins a sentence.
Because the movie was so violent. Some people left the theater.
2. Everything was peaceful. Before Martha stormed into the room.
3. Unless the refrigerator is fixed soon. All the food will spoil.
4. The batter argued with the umpire. While the crowd booed.

9. Basics about run-ons and Comma Splices
A run-on is made up of two complete thoughts that are incorrectly run together without a connection between them.
Example:
Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.
Correction: Dolphins have killed sharks. They never attack humans.

10. Comma Splice
A comma splice is made up of two complete thoughts that are incorrectly joined(or spliced) together with only a comma. A comma alone is not enough to connect two complete thoughts.
Example:
Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.

11. Ways to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices
Method 1: Use a period and a capital letter.
Put each complete thought into its own sentence.
Run-on- The computer hummed loudly the sound was annoying.
Comma Splice-The computer hummed loudly, the sound was annoying.
Correct Version- The computer hummed loudly. The sound was annoying.

12. Ways to Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices
Use a comma and a joining word.
Connect two complete thoughts into one sentence with a comma and a joining word. Perhaps the most common joining words are: and, but and so.
Run-on- Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.
Comma Splice- Dolphins have killed sharks, they never attack humans.
Correct Version- Dolphins have killed sharks, but they never attack humans.

13. Corrections Continued
Run-on- The garden is overgrown the fence is falling down.
Comma Splice- The garden is overgrown, the fence is falling down.
Correct Version- The garden is overgrown, and the fence is falling down.
Run-on- The little boy appeared to be lost several women stopped to help him.
Comma splice- The little boy appeared to be lost, several women stopped to help him.
Correct Version- The little boy appeared to be lost, so several women stopped

14. Practice
Draw a line (I) between the two complete thoughts in each of the run-ons and comma slices that follow. Then rewrite each sentence. Correct it in one of two ways:
1. Use a period and a capital letter to create two sentences.
2. Use a comma and a logical joining word to connect the two complete thoughts. Choose from the following joining words: And( which means, in addition), But ( which means, however), So( which means, as a result)

15. Practice
The family is a happy one, they have a big problem. Maria has a serious liver disease she has to take a lot of medicine. Her liver cannot heal itself, she needs a liver transplant.

16. Correction of Practice Activity
1. The family is a happy one, but they have a big problem.
2. Maria has a serious liver disease, and she has to take a lot of medicine.
3. Her liver cannot heal itself. She needs a liver transplant.