1. Les Hanson 2002 Fragments and Run-Ons Identifying and Correcting Sentence Errors
2. Introduction This presentation explains the following grammatical concepts: Clauses (dependent and independent) Sentences Fragments Run-Ons Semicolons and conjunctive adverbs
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4. Joining Clauses When the sentence starts with the dependent clause, it must have a comma before the independent clause 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.
5. Fragments Fragments look like sentences but are missing a subject or a verb, or they are put together incorrectly.
6. 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.
7. Run-ons Run-ons (fused sentences) occur when clauses are joined incorrectly. He didn’t throw the firecracker, he placed it between his legs, he wanted to put the lighter away first. Comma splice The fuse burned too quickly before he could throw it the explosive blew up between his legs. Run-on
8. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Join the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction And, or, but, so, yet He wanted to put the lighter away first, so Fred placed the firecracker between his legs, and he didn’t throw it. 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.
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10. Fred fell down screaming. The smoke cleared. We all expected to see a bloody mess.
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12. 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
