CONTENTS

1- Run-on Sentences
(Fused Sentences and Comma Splices)

2- Comma Splices

3- Fragments
Avoiding Run-On Sentences, Comma Splices, and Fragments

Complete Sentence (Independent Clause)

A complete sentence has (minimally) two parts, a subject and a

verb. A sentence must also express a complete thought. Such a
phrase consisting of a subject and a verb (with complete meaning)
is also called an independent clause.

Example: He writes songs.

This sentence has a subject and verb. This sentence also expresses
a complete thought, so its meaning is clear.

he=subject (S) writes=verb (V)songs =direct object (DO)

Run-On Sentences
Definition: A run-on sentence either has too many independent clauses or two independent
clauses that are not linked correctly.

Two types of run-on sentences are fused sentences and comma splices.
 1. Fused Sentence

Definition: A fused sentence consists of two independent clauses, but both the comma and
coordinating conjunction are missing.

Example of a Fused Sentence: She writes the music he plays the guitar.

‘She writes the music’ and ‘he plays the guitar’ are each independent clauses,
containing a subject and a verb and expressing complete thoughts. ‘He plays the guitar’ is
an independent clause that can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought and is
grammatically correct.

he=subject (S) plays=verb (V) guitar=direct object (DO)

However, in the above example, the independent clause, ‘She writes the music,’
incorrectly runs into a second independent clause, ‘he plays the guitar.’

Strategies for Correcting Fused Sentences:

1. Create a compound sentence.
Inserting a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) plus a comma correctly
links these independent clauses. This sentence structure is called a compound sentence.

Correct compound sentence: She writes the music, and he plays the guitar.
independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction + independent clause

2. Separate independent clauses with periods and capitalization,

creating simple sentences.
Correct sentences: She writes the music. He plays the guitar.

3. Insert a semi-colon.
Semi-colons should be used sparingly and to connect independent clauses whose
meanings are closely related.

Correct sentence: She writes the music for Coldplay; he plays the guitar for that band.

* Note: When more details are added to the above independent clauses, the meanings
become much more closely related. Thus, a semi-colon can separate these clauses.

4. Link ideas using a subordinate

clause (dependent clause). Correct
Sentence:
While she writes the music for Coldplay, he plays the guitar for that band.
subordinate clause + comma + independent clause
 ‘While’ is a subordinating conjunction, which makes ‘while she writes music for Coldplay,’
a dependent clause. That is, the clause depends on the rest of the sentence for

the overall meaning to be clear. A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Use a comma to
separate a dependent clause that appears before an independent clause.

*Note: A sentence constructed of one independent clause and one or more dependent
(or subordinate) clauses is called a complex sentence.

2. Comma Splice
Definition: A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that follow one another
and are incorrectly linked together only with a comma (or commas). The coordinating conjunction
is missing.

Example of a Comma Splice: She writes the music, he plays the guitar.

In the above sentence, a comma separates the two independent clauses, but a coordinating
conjunction is also necessary.
1. Insert a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence.
Correct Sentences:
She writes the music for Coldplay, but he plays the guitar for that band. She
writes the music for Coldplay, and he plays the guitar for that band.

Remember, the coordinating conjunction appears after the comma.

*Note: Again, consider meaning before joining sentences. If the sentences are not closely
connected, it may be best to keep them separate. Think about these two independent clauses:

Today I was late for class.

I will have a burrito for dinner tonight.

Since these ideas are distinct, keep the sentences separate.

2. Insert a semi-colon.
Correct Sentence: She writes the music for Coldplay; he plays the guitar for that band.

Again, to join two independent clauses with a semi-colon, be sure that their meanings are
closely connected. The Tutoring Center has a separate handout on semi-colon usage.
 Run-On Sentences: Examples and Explanations

Examples:
It was raining Naomi could not find her umbrella. (Fused)

It was raining, Naomi could not find her umbrella. (Comma Splice)

How to fix these run-ons:

Step 1: Identify independent clauses.

It was raining + Naomi could not find + her umbrella.

subject + verb phrase subject + verb phrase (direct object)

Step 2: Use one of the strategies below.

1. Period + Capital Letter (Separate Sentences)

It was raining. Naomi could not find her umbrella.

S + V. S +V

2. Comma + Coordinating Conjunction (Compound Sentence)

It was raining, and Naomi could not find her umbrella.

S+V , and S + V

3. Semi-Colon

It was raining; Naomi could not find her umbrella.

S+V ; S+V

4. Subordinating Conjunction + Comma (Complex Sentence)

Though it was raining, Naomi could not find her umbrella.

dependent clause, S+V

*Note: Use the Tutoring Center’s Transitions/Grammar Aid Handout to help identify
coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Ask a tutor if you are unclear about the meanings of
these conjunctions or in which situations to use them.
Sentence Fragments
Definition: A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. Most fragments are
missing the subject, the verb, or both. Identifying some fragments can be confusing
because they may actually contain a subject and a verb. However, these nouns and
verbs do not form an independent clause when they follow subordinating
conjunctions, adverbs, or relative pronouns. (See below for an explanation of these
terms.)
 Example of a sentence fragment: After the party starts.
party=subject starts=verb

This phrase has a noun and a verb; however, the subordinating conjunction ‘after’
makes it a dependent clause. Therefore, this dependent clause needs to be linked to
an independent clause.

Correct sentence: After the party starts, I will be able to relax. (complex sentence)

‘I will be able to relax’ is an independent clause that can stand alone. It expresses a
complete thought. Remember to separate a dependent clause and an independent
clause with a comma (when the dependent clause appears before the independent
clause).

Types of Fragments
Each example below illustrates a different type of sentence fragment. Any fragment can be
corrected by linking the fragment to an independent clause—one which comes before or
after it and which makes sense within the paragraph.

1. Subordinating Conjunction and Relative Pronoun Fragments

Example:

While I was waiting for my car to be repaired.

How to find this type of fragment:

When proofreading a paper, pay attention to subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.
These words (see box below) turn subjects and verbs into dependent clauses. Identifying
proper usage of dependent clauses can help in recognizing fragments.

Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns

after how unless whichever
although if until while
as in order that/to what whether
as if once whatever who
as soon as rather than when whoever
as though since whenever whom
because so that where whomever
before than whereas whose
even if that wherever why
even though though which

Strategies for correcting subordinating conjunction and relative

pronoun fragments:

1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before

or after it. Correct Sentences:

While I was waiting for my car to be repaired, I read a magazine.

dependent clause ,S+V

Notice the use of the comma after the dependent clause (because the dependent
clause falls at the beginning of the sentence).

I had to ride the bus while I was waiting for my car to be repaired.
S+V dependent phrase
*Note:
When a dependent (subordinate) clause comes after the independent clause, it is usually
unnecessary to place a comma after that independent clause. Whether
or not a comma is needed depending on the meaning of the sentence.

2. Remove the subordinating conjunction/relative pronoun.

Correct sentence:
I was waiting for my car to be repaired.
S+V
 2. “-ing” Fragments
Example:
Her expertise being in chemistry and biology.

How to find an “-ing” fragment:

If the only verb in the sentence ends in ‘–ing’ and does not have a helping verb, you have
a fragment. While the word ‘being’ is a verb, in the above sentence, it is not properly
formed.

In the below sentence, notice that the ‘-ing’ verb has a helping verb:
I was walking down the street when it started raining. (This sentence is correct. ‘Was’
functions as the helping verb.)

When added to a verb, ‘-ing’ sometimes makes a verb do the job of a noun:
Walking outdoors is my favorite form of exercise. (In this sentence, ‘walking’ is a noun
that functions as the subject. ‘Is’ functions as the main verb.)

Strategies for correcting “ing” fragments:

1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it.
Correct sentences:
Her expertise being in chemistry and biology, she was not hired as an English
instructor.
dependent –ing phrase ,S + V

She designed the new science exhibit, her expertise being in chemistry and biology.
S+ V , dependent –ing phrase

i.Correct the verb form. Correct sentences:

Her expertise is in chemistry and biology.
Her expertise was in chemistry and biology.
*Note: Sometimes you will also need to add a subject and correct the verb form. See the
next page for an example.

3. Missing Subject Fragments

Example:

Security set off the alarm and evacuated the building. Next, closed all the entrances.

How to find this type of fragment:

The second phrase above (noted in bold) is a fragment because there is no subject. ‘Entrances’
is a noun, but it is the object of the verb ‘closed.’ Who or what is closing the entrances is
unknown. That is, the subject of the sentence is missing.
 Strategies for correcting missing subject fragments:
1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it.
Correct Sentences:
Security set off the alarm, evacuated the building, and closed all the entrances.

In the above sentence, it is clear that the subject, the doer of the actions, is security.

2. Add the missing subject.

Correct Sentence:
Security set off the alarm and evacuated the building. Next, they closed all the
entrances.
*Note: In this sentence, the pronoun ‘they’ renames the subject, security.

4. “Extra Information”

Fragments Example:

For instance, clean water and electricity.

How to find and fix this type of

fragment:

In these kinds of fragments, usually the verb is missing. Watch out for transitional phrases that
signal an example, a list, added details, or information, such as those listed in the box below.

Transition Words Indicating a List or Examples

also especially except for instance including

in addition furthermore for example such as next

Strategies for correcting “extra information” fragments:

1. Connect the fragment to the sentence that comes before or after it.
Correct sentence:
Many Americans take basic amenities for granted, for example, clean water
and electricity.
S + V , dependent phrase

2. Add the missing subject and

verb.

Correct sentence:
For example, basic amenities include clean water and electricity.
transitional phrase, S + V