Introduction: Connecting Your Learning
Imagine instructions like these:
To get rid of the hard disk error message on your computer. First you should back up your files, now contact your computer manufacturer for support they can diagnose the error to determine whether it can be repaired or replaced. Keeping these printed instructions close by so everything to fix your computer is in one place.
These instructions are teeming with sentence fragments and run-ons. Errors interfere with the reader's understanding. Your ideas deserve to be expressed clearly and smoothly.
| Readings, Resources, and Assignments | |
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| Required Readings | Read the following before starting the lesson: |
| Multimedia Resources | View the following presentation: Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences (Click on the PowerPoint icon to view the presentation) |
| Required Assignments |
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Focusing Your Learning
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
- Write grammatically correct sentences.
- Identify and correct run-on sentences and fragments.
Key Terms
Sentence Fragment
Sentence Run-on
Presentation
Run-Ons
Can you spot a run-on sentence? A run-on sentence is just as its name suggests; it is a sentence that runs on. Sentences run on because they are missing internal punctuation. They can be long, or they can be short. Take a look at the example.
Example: I love Facebook it is my life.
This is a run on. Look at it more closely.
- "I love Facebook" is one independent clause.
- "I" is the subject, and "love Facebook" is the predicate.
- "It" is the subject of the second independent clause, and "is my life" is the predicate.
- This sentence runs on. Some internal punctuation is missing.
You can easily correct the run-on example sentence.
Here are your options.
Option1: I love Facebook. It is my life. Simply insert end punctuation.
Option 2: I love Facebook; it is my life. Using a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses is a great way to include variety in your sentences.
Option 3: I love Facebook, for it is my life. You might also add a coordinating conjunction.
So which option should you choose? That depends on what you are trying to accomplish. What is the connection between the two sentences? What is the relationship?
Fragments
When you think of a fragment of pie or a fragment of wood, what do you imagine? Do you imagine a piece of something? A fragment is just that, a piece. A sentence fragment is also a piece, a piece of a sentence. Remember that a sentence must have a subject, it must have a predicate, and it must express a complete thought. A sentence fragment, or a piece of a sentence, is missing one of these elements. The length of a sentence does not make it a fragment. A short sentence is not necessarily a fragment.
Example 1: I ran.
This is a perfectly good sentence.
It has a subject "I" and a predicate "ran."
It also expresses a complete thought.
Example 2: Check, check, check.
Just because end punctuation appears after "check, check, check," this does not make it a sentence.
In fact, "check, check, check" is a fragment. It is missing a subject.
Here is another example. On your own, answer the questions. When you complete the exercise, check your answers to see how well you did.
Practice Example: After I ran the track
Run a check.
- Is there a subject?
- Is there a predicate?
- Does it express a complete thought? Is it independent?
Practice
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Make sure that you have read Sentence Fragments and What are Run-On Sentences? and review the Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences PowerPoint Presentation. |
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Now that you have learned more about sentence fragments and run-ons, take some time to practice what you have learned. Complete the interactive activities below. |
Summarizing Your Learning
Ultimately, avoiding run-ons and fragments will make your writing more clear. Your reader will be able to follow your thoughts without becoming frustrated. You will gain credibility, and most importantly your message will be understood.
Assessing Your Learning
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Now it is time to show what you have learned. Complete the assignment below. |
- Grammar: Fragments and Run-Ons