Run-on sentences, Comma splice and fragments
Run-on sentences are independent clauses that have not been joined correctly.
(Hint: they are missing a FANBOY, a comma, or a semi-colon). You can correct these in three
different ways: use a FANBOY and a comma, add a semi-colon, or make the sentence into two
separate sentences)
Example:
The movie Star Wars was wonderful I watch it all the time.
Correction:
The movie Star Wars was wonderful. I watch it all the time.
The movie Star Wars was wonderful; I watch it all the time.
The movie Star Wars was wonderful, and I watch it all the time.
Comma Splice is where two or more independent clauses are joined by a comma without a
coordinating conjunction.
Example:
I went to Disneyland, I went on all the rides.
Correction:
I went to Disneyland, and I went on all the rides.
I went to Disneyland; I went on all the rides.
Fragment is a clause missing part of the sentence such as the subject or verb. It cannot stand
on its own. To fix a fragment you can combine the fragment to another sentence or fix the
fragment by making it a sentence.
Example:
Used to cure sunburns.
Correction:
Aloe is used to cure sunburns.
Identify the following sentences as a run-on, comma splice or fragment.
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5.
Before the rain.
She walked he ran.
The dentist pulled my tooth, I was in pain.
Godzilla was exhausted he used all his energy in destroying Tokyo.
The movie Rain Man
Correct the following comma splices, run-ons, and fragments.
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2.
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5.
My best friend
Science is a necessary evil, many people enter this field.
I watched several movies, ate pizza, and went shopping I had a very busy day!
Gestures re a means of communication
Literature is the gateway to knowledge, I don’t understand where the gate lies.
Written by Christina Stork
Edited for online use by Peter J. Wegner
©2003 Northern Arizona University Writing Program