Fragments
and Run-Ons
Identifying and
Correcting
Sentence Errors
 Les Hanson 2002
Introduction
 This presentation explains the
following grammatical concepts:
 Clauses
(dependent and independent)
 Sentences
 Fragments
 Run-Ons
 Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs
Clauses
 A clause is a group of words with a
subject and a verb
Subject
You
Sally
Verb
stink.
is talking.
 Most clauses have further information
after the verb
Subject
I
Verb
hate
grammar
Sally
is talking
loudly
Two Types of Clauses
 Independent clause (Main clause)



Can stand alone as a sentence
Can be joined to another clause
Fred filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder.
 Dependent clause (Subordinate clause)



Cannot stand alone as a sentence
Must be joined to an independent clause
Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers.
A word that joins clauses is a conjunction
Joining Clauses
 A dependent clause can be joined to
an independent clause to make a
sentence
 Fred
filled a cardboard tube with
gunpowder because he wanted to make
his own firecrackers.
Or
 Because he wanted to make his own
firecrackers, Fred filled a cardboard tube
with gunpowder.
When the sentence starts with the
dependent clause, it must have a comma
before the independent clause
Fragments
 Fragments look like sentences but
are missing a subject or a verb, or
they are put together incorrectly.
Fragment
Told everyone to get out
of the way.
Disposable lighter in his
hand.
Error
No subject
Before he lit the fuse.
A dependent
clause by itself
No verb
Correcting Fragments
 Subjects or verbs can be added
 Fragments can be joined together
 All of the following are correct



With his disposable lighter in his hand, he told
everyone to get out of the way. Then he lit the fuse.
Pulling out his disposable lighter, Fred told everyone
to get out of the way before he lit the fuse.
He pulled out his disposable lighter. Fred told
everyone to get out of the way and then he lit the
fuse.
Run-ons
 Run-ons (fused sentences)
occur when clauses are joined
incorrectly.
Comma
splice
Run-on
He didn’t throw the firecracker, he placed it
between his legs, he wanted to put the
lighter away first.
The fuse burned too quickly before he could
throw it the explosive blew up between his
legs.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
1. Join the clauses with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction (fanboys)


For, And, nor, but, or, yet, so
He wanted to put the lighter away first, so Fred
placed the firecracker between his legs, and he
didn’t throw it.
2. Join the clauses with a subordinating
conjunction


Because, although, if, when, since, after
Because the fuse burned too quickly before he
could throw it, the explosive blew up between his
legs.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
3. Make the clauses into separate
sentences
X Fred fell down screaming when the
smoke cleared we all expected to see
a bloody mess.
 Fred fell down screaming. The smoke
cleared. We all expected to see a
bloody mess.
 Fred fell down screaming. When the
smoke cleared, we all expected to see
a bloody mess.
Four Ways to Correct Run-ons
4. Join two independent clauses with a
semicolon (;)if they are closely related.


You may include a conjunctive adverb along with
the semicolon:
however, for example, therefore, moreover,
indeed, consequently
X Fred hadn’t taped the tube properly and most of the

force was released out the ends of the tube the
explosion did direct some pressure against his groin.
Fred hadn’t taped the tube well and most of the force
was released out the ends of the tube; however, the
explosion did direct some pressure against his groin.
Notice how the sentence
is punctuated
Correct the following
1.
Fred managed to make it home and change
his clothes, and he told his parents he fell
off his bicycle, he avoided punishment for
playing with explosives.


2.
Fred managed to make it home and change his
clothes. He told his parents he fell off his bicycle,
thus avoiding punishment for playing with
explosives.
Fred managed to make it home. He changed his
clothes and told his parents that he fell off his
bicycle. He avoided punishment for playing with
explosives.
I left town shortly after. Didn’t see him
again for five years.

I left town shortly after and didn’t see him again
for five years.
Correct the following
3.
Took a trip home last summer. I ran
into Fred after my long absence he is
unable to have children. Didn’t ask if
he still plays with firecrackers.
 During a trip home last summer, I ran
into Fred after a long absence. He is
unable to have children. I didn’t ask if he
still plays with firecrackers.
 After a long absence, I took a trip home
last summer. I ran into Fred, who is
unable to have children. I didn’t ask if he
still plays with firecrackers.
Interactive Exercise
 You can get further practise by
clicking the button below or by
following the link to the interactive
exercise
 http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/leshanson/Hot_P
otato/Sentence_Structure_6.htm