A fragment is an INCOMPLETE THOUGHT that is punctuated as a sentence.
Example:
Jumped over the moon.
The dog with yellow hair.
The donkey on the wall.
A run-on sentence is a sentence that is not punctuated correctly.
Example:
- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.
A comma splice occurs when YOU are trying to separate two or more independent clause by using a comma.
Example:
- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.
You can correct run-ons and comma splices like this…
By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. and a comma
By using a semicolon ( ; ) REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.
A conjunctive adverb with a semi-colon
Example of a corrected run-on
-Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year; it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrim and Indian first dinner.
Example of a corrected comma splice
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.
A simple sentence contains one independent clause and NO subordinate clause.
Example:
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year.
A simple sentence is NOT..
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year that my family loves.
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and NO subordinate clause.
Example:
- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and
Indians first dinner.
-This is NOT a compound sentence..
- During Thanksgiving, my family cooks and eats dinner with friends.
You can punctuate compound sentences 3 ways:
By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y. and a comma
By using a semicolon ( ; )
REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.
Using a conjunctive adverb
Remember, you can use a conjunctive adverb to separate a compound sentence.
Hint- Conjunctive adverbs are normally transition words.
Example:
Uncle James plays in a rock band; however, they still play in their garage.
It is suppose to rain today; in fact, it may rain all night
It will rain today, and it will rain tomorrow.
The weather man has forecasted it rain; it may flood. (correct)
The weather man has forecasted it rain; it flooded in Memphis. (incorrect)
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
Example
Because of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair was frizzy all day.
A complex sentence will have one of the following subordinate clauses:
Noun clause- Whomever did not take notes on Friday will take notes on Monday.
Adjective clause- I wore a shirt that has multiple colors.
Adverb Clause- I will go walking after the storm.
A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
Example
Because of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair was frizzy all day; therefore, she placed her hair into a ponytail.