Comma Splices, Fragments, and Run-on Sentences

1. Comma Splices, Fragments, and Run-on Sentences 232 Najd

2. Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ • You can start a sentence with because, as long as you make sure to fully complete the sentence. One clause beginning with the word because does not constitute a sentence.

3. Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ • These are fragments: • X Because the newspapers reported it. X Because the river ran dry.

4. Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ • You can start a sentence with because if you follow it with a complete independent clause.

5. Starting a Sentence with ‘Because’ • These are complete sentences: •  Because the newspapers reported it, the neighbors believed it. •  Because the river ran dry, the dam would no longer provide electricity.

6. Comma Splices • Comma Splices • A comma splice is a type of run-on whereby two independent clauses—or complete sentences—are incorrectly joined by a comma.

7. Comma Splices • Example • Today I am tired, I will take a nap later.

8. Comma Splices • Grammatical Error: This comma splice has two independent clauses or complete sentences joined incorrectly by only a comma.

9. Comma Splices • Reasoning:The first part of the sentence ("Today I am tired") is an independent clause or complete sentence, and the second phrase ("I will take a nap later") is also an independent clause or complete sentence. The two sentences need to be joined by more than just a comma.

10. Comma Splices • There are three ways to correct a comma splice, and they are similar to the three ways of correcting a run-on.

11. Comma Splices • Corrected Example • 1. Replace the comma with a period and make two different sentences. Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

12. Comma Splices • 2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a coordinate conjunction after the comma.Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

13. Comma Splices • 3. Join the two separate sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (;).Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

14. Comma Splices • Decide if the following sentences are comma splices or a complete sentences.

15. Comma Splices • 1.) John is always late for work, nobody seems to care. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

16. Comma Splices • Comma splice

17. Comma Splices • 2.) Hot summer weather is nice, high temperatures are dangerous for certain people. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

18. Comma Splices • Comma Splice

19. Comma Splices • 3.) Emily broke her ankle on the weekend; now she is in a great deal of pain. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

20. Comma Splices • Complete sentence

21. Comma Splices • 4.) Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's health. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

22. Comma Splices • Comma Splice

23. Comma Splices • 5.) When a student likes his class, he is more likely to achieve good grades. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

24. Comma Splices • Complete sentence

25. Comma Splices • 6.) James has an interview with the PBS, I might get a job as his assistant. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

26. Comma Splices • Comma splice

27. Comma Splices • 7.) After I was paid last week, I was able to do the grocery shopping. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

28. Comma Splices • Complete sentence

29. Comma Splices • 8.) Due to the fact that I am so busy this week, I don't have time for my animals. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

30. Comma Splices • Complete sentence

31. Comma Splices • 9.) Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

32. Comma Splices • Complete sentence

33. Comma Splices • 10.) The air conditioner is too loud, Cleo can't sleep. • a.) Comma splice • b.) Complete sentence

34. Comma Splices • Comma splice

35. Fragments • A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It is missing one or more of the following parts: • a subject • a verb • a coherent thought

36. Fragments • Example #1 • Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a bird in the middle of the road out in the storm.

37. Fragments • Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "while." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

38. Fragments • Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you saw a bird sitting in the middle of the road out in the storm.

39. Fragments • Example #1 (corrected) • Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a sitting bird in the middle of the road out in the storm, I thought it must have wandered away from its nest.

40. Fragments • Example #2 • When I went to the movies last week and I ran into a friend.

41. Fragments • Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the word "when." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a verb.

42. Fragments • Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you went to the movies last week and ran into a friend.

43. Fragments • Example 2 (corrected) • When I ran into a friend at the movies last week, I suggested we sit together.

44. Fragments • Select the choice that tells whether the clause is a fragment or a complete sentence.

45. Fragments • 1.) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road. • a.) Complete Sentence • b.) Fragment

46. Fragments • Fragment

47. Fragments • 2.) When I took my exam today, I was very nervous. • a.) Complete Sentence • b.) Fragment

48. Fragments • Complete Sentence

49. Fragments • 3.) Wherever I go, I take my cell phone with me. • a.) Complete Sentence • b.) Fragment

50. Fragments • a.) Complete Sentence