Fragments, Run-Ons, &
Comma Splices
Grammar Unit 3
Part 1: Fragments
 Fragment = a sentence that doesn’t have an
independent clause (has a subject & a verb)
 Ex: Hit the winning run.
(no subject)
 A Dependent Clause has a subject and verb, but it
leaves the reader hanging.
 After Mario hit the winning run. (What?)
 Although the weather was cold. (What?)
 So, dependent clauses STANDING ALONE are
fragments!
More Fragments
 Phrase (missing subject and/or verb) = fragment
 In the morning.
 Wore a blue suit.
 Dependent clauses and phrases are important to our
writing b/c they add details, but they CANNOT be
sentences by themselves.
How to Identify Fragments
 Step 1: Find the verb, and double underline it.
 No verb = Phrase = Fragment
 Verb – Go to Step 2.
 Early in the morning. (No verb=Phrase=Fragment)
 After Mark drove all night. (Verb – Step 2)
 Step 2: Find the subject and underline it.
 No subject = Phrase = Fragment
 Subject – You have a clause. Go to Step 3.
 Drove all night. (No subject=Phrase=Fragment)
 After Mark drove all night. (Verb & Subject=Clause – Step
3)
 Step 3: You have a clause; determine which type
(Independent or Dependent).
 Find the Subordinating Conjunction and underline
it with a wavy line.
 Subordinating Conjunction and INCOMPLETE
IDEA= Dependent Clause = Fragment
 No Subordinating Conjunction OR Subordinating
Conjunction WITH a COMPLETE IDEA =
Independent Clause = Complete Sentence
 Examples:
 After Mark drove all night. (SC and incomplete idea =
Dependent Clause = Fragment)
 Mark drove all night. (No SC = Independent Clause =
Complete Sentence)
 After Mark drove all night, he was tired. (SC and
complete idea = Independent Clause = Complete
Sentence)
Fixing Fragments
 2 ways to fix a fragment, and both involve erasing
something
Method #1
 Erase the period and attach the fragment to a
sentence that has an independent clause.
 In the morning. (Phrase=Fragment)
Sherry jogs three miles. (IC=Sentence)
 In the morning, Sherry jogs three miles.
OR
 Sherry jogs three miles in the morning.
Method #2
 If a fragment is a dependent clause, you can erase
the subordinating conjunction and turn the
dependent clause into an independent clause.
 When the dog chews the newspaper.
(DC=Fragment)
 The dog chews the newspaper.
Your Assignment…
 Complete the Practice Worksheet
 Be ready for a quiz on fragments and fixing
fragments!
Part 2:
Comma Splices & Run-Ons
Comma Splices & RunOns…
 Both have 2 independent clauses
 A comma splice has a comma between the 2
independent clauses
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes.
 A run-on doesn’t have a comma between the 2
independent clauses
 Sue cooked dinner Joe washed the dishes.
Fixing Comma Splices &
Run-Ons
 4 methods to fix them
 Instead of erasing something, you add something.
(opposite of fixing fragments)
Method #1
 Add a period at the spot where the 2 clauses meet to
separate them into 2 sentences.
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice)
 Sue cooked dinner. Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT)
Method #2
 Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction
(FANBOYS) between the 2 independent clauses.
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice)
 Sue cooked dinner, and Joe washed dishes.
(CORRECT)
Coordinating Conjunctions
F A N B O
O N O U R
R D R T
Y
E
T
S
O
Know FANBOYS!!!
 They are the only words that can
be used with a comma to separate
2 independent clauses.
Method #3
 Add a subordinating conjunction at the beginning
of one of the independent clauses to make it
dependent.
 Use the subordinating conjunction that fits the
meaning of your sentence.
 A comma must follow the dependent clause when it is
at the beginning of a sentence.
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. (CS)
 After Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes.
OR
 Sue cooked dinner before Joe washed the dishes.
Method #4
 Add a semi-colon (;) between the 2 clauses if they
relate to one another.
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes.
 Sue cooked dinner; Joe washed the dishes.
 A variation of the semi-colon method: Add a
conjunctive adverb (transitions) followed by a
comma.
 Put the semi-colon after the 1st independent clause,
then write the conjunctive adverb followed by a
comma and the 2nd independent clause.
 Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes.
 Sue cooked dinner; therefore, Joe washed the dishes.
 Sue cooked dinner; consequently, Joe washed the
dishes.
Common Conjunctive
Adverbs
 However
 Therefore
 Consequently
 Nevertheless
 Accordingly
 Furthermore
 Hence
 Moreover
Also, look at
your Transition
Words List (in
your definition
essay packet) for
more conjunctive
adverbs.
Your Assignment…
 Complete the practice worksheet and…
 Study for the quiz!!!