IMPROVING YOUR
WRITING
Comma Splices &
Fused sentences,
Run-on Sentences,
And Fixing Fragments
CLAUSE REFRESHER
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Definition of a Clause: part of a sentence with its
own subject and predicate
Definition of Predicate: unit of a verb and all words modifying the verb example: is here in Larry is here.
Clause Example: The sentence
‘Mary has a friend who is rich‘
contains a main clause and
a subordinate clause (one that relies on the main for meaning)
 Which is which? WHY???
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FIX THOSE BAD SENTENCES!!!
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Definitions of a comma splice and a fused sentence:
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A comma splice contains two main clauses illegally joined by a
comma. The problem looks like this:
main clause
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+,+
another main clause = COMMA SPLICE.
A fused sentence, on the other hand, contains two main clauses
illegally run together with no punctuation. The problem looks like
this:
main clause
+
another main clause = FUSED SENTENCE.
MORE PROFESSIONAL WRITING
Comma splices and fused sentences make you look like an
amateur because they tell your reader that you cannot
control the construction of a sentence.
 So, how do you make your writing more professional???
 Correct comma splices and fragments & get rid of run-ons.
Let’s learn how to GET RID OF THOSE BAAAAAD SENTENCES!!!
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There are 4 strategies we can use to correct
comma splices:
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1) make two complete sentences
2) use a comma and a coordinating conjunction
3) use a semi-colon
4) use a subordinating conjunction
STRATEGY 1 —
MAKE TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
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Because comma splices and fused sentences contain
two main clauses, you can always
add a period at the end of the first clause then
begin the second with a capital letter.
Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy
poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.
Correct the above sentence
with Strategy #1.
STRATEGY 2 — USE A COMMA AND
A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION.
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There are seven coordinating conjunctions.
Some students remember the seven by learning the word
FANBOYS.
Each of the seven letters of FANBOYS stands for one of the
coordinating conjunctions.
F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so
FIX THE PROBLEM WITH STRATEGY 2
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Remember that you must use a coordinating conjunction that
logically joins the two complete sentences.
But, for example, would not work in the example below because
the writer is NOT showing contrast.
Teamed up with a comma, the seven coordinating conjunctions
can correctly join two main clauses.
Remember: FANBOYS
Correct the example sentence
with Strategy 2:
Grandma still rides her Harley
motorcycle her toy poodle
balances in a basket between
the handlebars.
STRATEGY 3 — USE A SEMICOLON.
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Unlike a comma, a semicolon IS a strong
enough mark of punctuation to join
two main clauses.
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Keep these things in mind when you use a semicolon:
- 1) The two main clauses that the semicolon
joins should be closely related in meaning.
- 2) Do NOT capitalize the word that follows the
semicolon UNLESS that word is a proper noun,
which is always capitalized anyway.
Correct the example sentence with Strategy 3:
Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy
poodle balances in a basket between the
handlebars.
Good writers mix things up!
KEEP IN MIND:
Limit your use of semicolons;
you should not wantonly scatter
them throughout your writing.
STRATEGY 4 — USE A CONJUNCTION.
First, here is a list to remind you of conjunctions we have covered before:
After
because
even though
once
since
that
until
where
whether
although
before
in order that
provided that
so that
though
when
whereas
while
as
even if
If
rather than
than
unless
whenever
wherever
why
USING CONJUNCTIONS
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When you are fixing a comma splice or fused
sentence, subordinating conjunctions can be the
most tricky to use.
There are two reasons they are tricky:
1) there are many to choose from, and
 2) you must use the right punctuation.
Now fix original problem sentence using Strategy 4:
Remember – use a subordinating conjunction
to subordinate the other part of the sentence
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Grandma still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy
poodle balances in a basket between the
handlebars.
A good writer can fix problem sentences using
all four strategies:
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adding a period and a capital letter
using a comma and a conjunction
joining the two main clauses with a semicolon
subordinating one part with a subordinate conjunction.
Now it is your turn. With a partner, correct the following
sentence with each of the four strategies you just learned.
http://www.chompchomp.com/rules/csfsrules.htm
Most Freshmen feel overwhelmed by
the workload in their college courses
they usually spend more time
socializing than studying
RUN-ON SENTENCES
The length of a sentence has nothing to do with
whether or not a sentence is a run-on.
 An over-exuberant, run-off-at-the-mouth, 400word gorilla of a sentence can be structurally
correct.
 A run-on sentence is one in
which two clauses have
been connected incorrectly.
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AVOIDING RUN-ON SENTENCES
There are three situations in which run-on sentences
are apt to happen:
1. When a pronoun in the second clause refers to a noun
in the first clause:
The President’s popularity has plummeted, she
apparently underestimated the opposition.
2. When a suggestion or directive occurs in the second
clause:
You will be responsible for this material on
the
final exam, study it thoroughly now.
3. When two clauses are connected by a conjunction:
Many people think protectionism can halt rising
prices, however, the opposite is actually true.
YIKERS!! FIX THESE SENTENCES!
FRAGMENTS
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The first thing you MUST be able to do is recognize the
difference between a sentence and a fragment.
Simply put:
a fragment does NOT contain a main clause.
When you analyze a group of words looking for the main
clause, you have to find three things: a subject, a verb,
and a complete thought.
If one of these three items is missing, a fragment results.
EXAMPLES OF FRAGMENTS
And yawned loudly enough to make everyone in class
turn around.
 NO subject; verb = yawned; NO complete thought.
The boy sitting on the fire escape dropping water
balloons on the pedestrians below.
 Subject = boy; NO verb; NO complete thought.
After Gabriel ate half a box of Devil Dogs.
 Subject = Gabriel; verb = ate;
NO complete thought .
WATCH WORDS FOR FRAGMENT IDENTIFICATION
Here are the words to watch for that will begin many fragments:
After
although
as
because
before
even if
even though
if
in order that
once
provided that
since
so [that is implied]
so that
than
that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
which
whichever
while
who
whoever
whom
whomever
whose
Anything Look Familiar?
CORRECT THAT FRAGMENT! A “HOW TO”
1) add the necessary main clause
 2) connect the fragment to a main clause
already in the passage.
 3) remove a subordinating conjunction
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Remember: Whether you add
or connect, you must use the
right punctuation.
EXAMPLES:
Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra.
Because = subordinate conjunction; Chase = subject; caught = verb.
What happened? Was he able to cheat on the test? Did he quickly ask
her for a date? The thought is incomplete. How do we correct it?
 Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe.
Until = subordinate conjunction; Rachel = subject; notices = verb.
What will happen? Will she embarrass her date? Will people at the
restaurant stare? Another incomplete thought. How do we correct it?
 Even though Fred stuck straws up his nose.
Even though = subordinate conjunction; Fred = subject; stuck = verb.
What happened? Could he still not pass as a walrus? Did the
McDonald's manager offer him a job anyway? This thought is
incomplete too!
How do we correct it?
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SOME FRAGMENTS BEGIN OR END WITH AN
“ING” OR “ED” WORD
Sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they
heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk.
 Twirling the baton with the speed and ferocity of
helicopter blades.
 Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp.
 Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of
mismatched socks.
These fragments are missing subjects.
Correct them by adding who or what.
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INFINITIVE PHRASE FRAGMENTS
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INFINITIVE Definition: to + verb
Although more words will follow to finish the phrase, you will not find
a main clause to finish the thought.
An infinitive phrase—by itself—cannot be a sentence.
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Examples of Infinitive Verb Fragments – Correct them by finishing the thought.
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Only to watch in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her
chemistry experiment into the sink.
 To catch butterflies for her biology project.
 To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands.
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AFTERTHOUGHT FRAGMENTS
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An afterthought does not contain a main clause
Watch for these words: especially, except, excluding, for
example, for instance, including, like, and such as.
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Examples of Afterthought Fragments: Correct them by adding a main clause.
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For example, leaky pens, candy wrappers, dollar
bills, and paperclips.
 Including the dog with three legs and the cat with
one eye.
 Such as leaving the stove on and teasing mean
dogs.
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LONELY VERB FRAGMENTS
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Writers will sometimes forget to
include a subject in a sentence.
The result is a verb pining for its partner.
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A lonely verb fragment will often begin with a
coordinating conjunction
and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet
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The marker for a lonely verb fragment will be the
immediate expression of action.
Remember that a verb alone cannot be a sentence.
LONELY VERB FRAGMENTS
And dashed through the downpour as raindrops
softened the hairspray shell holding her
elaborate coif in place.
 But knew that all of his effort would prove
useless in the long run.
 Took the thick book and, with a heavy sigh,
loaded it on top of her research pile.
Correct these lonely verb
fragments by adding a subject.
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APPOSITIVE FRAGMENTS
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Appositive Definition:
a noun phrase that renames and clarifies another noun.
Because an appositive can be long, writers
sometimes mistake them for a complete
sentence.
 By itself an appositive is not a sentence.
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APPOSITIVE FRAGMENT EXAMPLES
The unprepared student who was always
begging for an extra pencil and a couple sheets
of blank paper.
 A slacker wasting his afternoon
in front of the television.
 A dog around whom people need
to guard their fingers and food.
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Correct these appositive
fragments by adding the noun
they are renaming or clarifying.
PUT YOUR NEW KNOWLEDGE TO WORK!
You are going to peer edit, but
you are going to start at the end.
BTW, This is also a SUPER way to self-edit.
 Beginning at the end, evaluate every sentence:
 Is there a comma splice? Use this mark: CS
 Is it a fragment? Use this mark: frag.
 Is it a run-on? Use this mark: R-O
Use your notes to help
you identify CSs, frag.s, and R-Os
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