Sentence Structure
12
Common Errors: Fragments and Run-ons
Fragments
A fragment occurs when a group of words that does not form a complete sentence is punctuated as though it is a complete sentence. Here are three common types of fragments and ways to correct them:
The fragment may lack a predicate because the verb is incomplete:
Fragment: The runners staggering in the 100-degree heat.
Complete sentence: The runners were staggering in the 100-degree heat.
(Note: The present participle staggering is not a complete verb without the helping verb were. See Progressive Verb Tenses.)
The fragment may be a dependent (subordinate) clause that needs to be attached to an independent clause:
Fragment: Unless she could earn the money for tuition.
Complete sentence: Unless she could earn the money for tuition, she would have to drop out of school.
(Note: The fragment here is an adverb clause and does not express a complete thought unless it is attached to an independent clause. See Complex Sentences.)
Fragment: Which was the best thing to do.
Complete sentence: My sister decided to sell the house, which was the best thing to do.
(Note: The fragment here is an adjective clause and does not express a complete thought unless it is attached to an independent clause. See Complex Sentences.)
The fragment may be a subject with modifiers that needs a linking verb.
Fragment: Doubt and mistrust everywhere, fogging the minds of managers and workers alike.
Complete Sentence: Doubt and mistrust were everywhere, fogging the minds of managers and workers alike.
(Note: Were supplies the needed linking verb in this sentence (see Sentence Patterns). Fogging may seem like a verb, but it is only part of a participial phrase and cannot be a complete verb without a helping verb. See Components of a Sentence.)
Run-on Sentences
Sentences with two or more independent clauses that have been incorrectly combined are known as run-on sentences. A run-on sentence may be either a fused sentence or a comma splice.
Fused sentence: A family of foxes lived under our shed young foxes played all over the yard.
Notice that there are two sentences here, one about a family of foxes, which ends with the word shed, and another about the young foxes. These two sentences are simply run together without any punctuation, coordination, or subordination, creating a fused sentence.
Comma splice: We looked outside, the kids were hopping on the trampoline.
Here the break between the two sentences is marked with only a comma. Since a comma is not a legitimate way to connect independent clauses, this creates a comma splice.
Correcting Run-ons with Punctuation
One way to correct run-on sentences is to correct the punctuation. For example, adding a period will correct the run-on by creating two separate sentences. Using a semicolon between the two complete sentences will also correct the error. A semicolon allows you to keep the two closely related ideas together in one sentence. When you punctuate with a semicolon, make sure that both parts of the sentence are independent clauses.
Run-on (fused sentence): The accident closed both lanes of traffic we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.
Corrected sentence: The accident closed both lanes of traffic; we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.
When you use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, you may wish to add a conjunctive adverb to show the connection between the two thoughts. After the semicolon, add the conjunctive adverb and follow it with a comma (see Compound Sentences).
Run-on (comma splice): The project was put on hold, we didn’t have time to slow down, so we kept working.
Corrected sentence: The project was put on hold; however, we didn’t have time to slow down, so we kept working.
Coordinating conjunctions (remember FANBOYS) and subordination, discussed in the sections on Compound Sentences and Complex Sentences, can also be used to fix run-ons.
Exercises
Use what you have learned so far to identify common sentence errors. Label each sentence as a fragment (F), a run-on sentence (R), or a correct, complete sentence (C) in your own notebook. Then, rewrite corrected sentences.
- _____ Being absent hurts a student’s grade, he or she should be in class every day.
- _____ Having been interested in science most of her life, she did well in Biology 101.
- _____ Hurry with your breakfast, you will miss the bus.
- _____ Several students had the right answer; however, most of them failed the exam.
- _____ Several girls expressed concerns about course selections, therefore, changes were made.
- _____ Jim practiced the violin daily, he wanted to excel in music.
- _____ The child loved his mother, but he did not want to obey her.
- _____ I had a severe case of the flu last year.
- _____ And had spent the first three days of my illness in bed.
- _____ Because I was sick of my bed and decided I’d lie on the sofa and watch television.
- _____ Only getting up to take care of the necessities of life.
- _____ Then I must have fallen asleep.
- _____ When I was suddenly conscious again.
- _____ The wind howled outside, the house was damp and chilly, and my fever soared.
- _____ Then somewhere in the blackness ahead of me, I saw a spot of light.
- _____ What has happened to the economy, many Americans want the answer to this question.
- _____ He was late for his appointment, then he forgot to bring his briefcase with him.
- _____ Voting is a privilege, this privilege should not be taken for granted.
- _____ Be ready for any emergency, plan ahead.
- _____ Because I was sure that I had died.
- _____ A friend is always willing to help, friendship is invaluable.
- ____ Although he was sick, James came to class.
- _____ Running a temperature between 102 and 107.
- _____ We were excited about the game, and we won.
- _____ Be careful with your answer, your grade could be affected.
Key Takeaways
- A sentence is complete when it contains both a subject and verb (predicate). A complete sentence makes sense on its own.
- Every sentence must have a subject, which usually appears at the beginning of the sentence. A subject may be a noun (a person, place, or thing) or a pronoun.
- A compound subject contains more than one noun.
- A prepositional phrase describes, or modifies, another word in the sentence but cannot be the subject of a sentence.
- A verb is often an action word that indicates what the subject is doing. Verbs may be action verbs (transitive or intransitive), linking verbs, or helping verbs.
- Remembering the five basic sentence patterns is useful when correcting grammar errors.
- Fragments and run-on sentences are two common errors in sentence construction.
- Fragments can be corrected by adding a missing subject or verb or combining a dependent clause with an independent clause.
- Run-on sentences can be corrected by adding appropriate punctuation or using coordination or subordination.
