This presentation covers common sentence errors such as fragments, comma splices, and fused sentences. It provides examples of these errors and teaches how to identify them. Attendees will learn how to write grammatically correct sentences using appropriate punctuation like periods and conjunctions, as well as subordination with subordinate conjunctions. The goal is to recognize what makes a sentence complete and to employ punctuation and grammar properly to avoid errors in sentences.

1. Fragments, CommaFragments, Comma
Splices, and FusedSplices, and Fused
SentencesSentences
Fragments, CommaFragments, Comma
Splices, and FusedSplices, and Fused
SentencesSentences
How do I know
if I have too
little in a
sentence ...
How do I know
if I have too
little in a
sentence ...
And how can
I tell if I have
too much?
And how can
I tell if I have
too much?

2. This presentation
covers avoiding
sentence
fragments,
comma splices,
and fused
sentences.
This presentation
covers avoiding
sentence
fragments,
comma splices,
and fused
sentences.
You will learn to
recognize complete
sentences, employ
appropriate
punctuation, and
use subordination
and coordination.
You will learn to
recognize complete
sentences, employ
appropriate
punctuation, and
use subordination
and coordination.

3. A fragment, comma splice,A fragment, comma splice,
and/or fused sentence itemand/or fused sentence item
on an objective test mighton an objective test might
look like thislook like this .. .. ..

4. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item

5. Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item
At the pizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on theAt the pizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on the
argument at the next table, hot cheeseargument at the next table, hot cheese
cascaded over her slice of pizza onto her barecascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bare
lap.lap.
A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; Jolene
B.B.table while hottable while hot
C.C.pizza. Ontopizza. Onto
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
At theAt the pizzeria, Jolenepizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on theeavesdropped on the
AA
argument at the nextargument at the next table, hottable, hot cheesecheese
BB
cascaded overcascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bareher slice of pizza onto her bare
CC
lap.lap.
A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; Jolene
B.B.table while hottable while hot
C.C.cascaded. Overcascaded. Over
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
At theAt the pizzeria, Jolenepizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on theeavesdropped on the
AA
argument at the nextargument at the next table while hottable while hot cheesecheese
BB
cascaded overcascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bareher slice of pizza onto her bare
CC
lap.lap.
A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; Jolene
B.B.table while hottable while hot
C.C.cascaded. Overcascaded. Over
D.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.
Is the
punctuation (or
lack of it) at A,
B, or C
incorrect?
Is the
punctuation (or
lack of it) at A,
B, or C
incorrect?
The comma between
table and hot
makes a comma
splice, an error that
option B fixes.
The comma between
table and hot
makes a comma
splice, an error that
option B fixes.

6. Andre practiced jump shots to impressAndre practiced jump shots to impress
Coach Nelson.Coach Nelson.
A sentence must have aA sentence must have a subjectsubject,,
verbverb, and, and complete thoughtcomplete thought..
A sentence must have aA sentence must have a subjectsubject,,
verbverb, and, and complete thoughtcomplete thought..
Andre = subject,
practiced = verb,
and the thought =
complete, so you
have a sentence.
Andre = subject,
practiced = verb,
and the thought =
complete, so you
have a sentence.

7. Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.
Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.

8. Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.
Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.

9. Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.
Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment when youwhen you
see one.see one.

10. AndreAndre spinningspinning the ball to show off histhe ball to show off his
skills.skills.
Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment whenwhen
you see one.you see one.
Recognize aRecognize a fragmentfragment whenwhen
you see one.you see one.
AndAnd spunspun the ball to show off his skills.the ball to show off his skills.As AndreAs Andre spunspun the ball to show off histhe ball to show off his
skills.skills.
AndreAndre spunspun the ball to show off his skills.the ball to show off his skills.
Spinning ≠ a
verb, so you have
a fragment!
Spinning ≠ a
verb, so you have
a fragment!
Now there’s no
subject, so you
still have a
fragment.
Now there’s no
subject, so you
still have a
fragment.
Yikes! Now the
thought is not
complete!
Yikes! Now the
thought is not
complete!
Finally! A
subject, a verb,
and a complete
thought!
Finally! A
subject, a verb,
and a complete
thought!

11. RecognizeRecognize fused sentencesfused sentences andand
comma splicescomma splices..
RecognizeRecognize fused sentencesfused sentences andand
comma splicescomma splices..

12. RecognizeRecognize fused sentencesfused sentences andand
comma splicescomma splices..
RecognizeRecognize fused sentencesfused sentences andand
comma splicescomma splices..
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Andre sank a perfect basket from half court,Andre sank a perfect basket from half court,
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
You cannot
run together
two sentences
with no
punctuation!
You cannot
run together
two sentences
with no
punctuation!
You cannot
join two
sentences with
a comma!
You cannot
join two
sentences with
a comma!
Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half courtcourt
unfortunatelyunfortunately the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half court,court,
unfortunatelyunfortunately the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

13. Fix the error with aFix the error with a periodperiod and aand a
capital lettercapital letter..
Fix the error with aFix the error with a periodperiod and aand a
capital lettercapital letter..
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Swish
goes the
period!
Swish
goes the
period!
Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half court.court.
Unfortunately,Unfortunately, the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

14. Fix the error with aFix the error with a commacomma andand
aa coordinating conjunctioncoordinating conjunction..
Fix the error with aFix the error with a commacomma andand
aa coordinating conjunctioncoordinating conjunction..
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Be my
FANBOYS—
for, and, nor,
but, or, yet,
and so.
Be my
FANBOYS—
for, and, nor,
but, or, yet,
and so.
Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half court,court,
butbut the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

15. Fix the error with aFix the error with a
semicolonsemicolon..
Fix the error with aFix the error with a
semicolonsemicolon..
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Use the
semicolon
sparingly — 3
to 4 times per
essay, max.
Use the
semicolon
sparingly — 3
to 4 times per
essay, max.
Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half court;court;
unfortunately,unfortunately, the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

16. Fix the error with aFix the error with a
subordinate conjunctionsubordinate conjunction..
Fix the error with aFix the error with a
subordinate conjunctionsubordinate conjunction..
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court
unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Reduce one
of the two
clauses to an
incomplete
thought.
Reduce one
of the two
clauses to an
incomplete
thought.
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court afterafter
the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

17. These are the subordinateThese are the subordinate
conjunctions.conjunctions.
These are the subordinateThese are the subordinate
conjunctions.conjunctions.
 afterafter
 althoughalthough
 asas
 becausebecause
 beforebefore
 even thougheven though
 if, even ifif, even if
 in order thatin order that
 onceonce
 provided thatprovided that
 sincesince
 so [so [thatthat implied], so thatimplied], so that
 thanthan
 thatthat
 thoughthough
 unlessunless
 when, wheneverwhen, whenever
 where, wherever, whereaswhere, wherever, whereas
 whetherwhether
 whilewhile

18. AlthoughAlthough Andre sank a perfect basket from halfAndre sank a perfect basket from half
courtcourt,, the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
HereHere’s our sample:’s our sample:HereHere’s our sample:’s our sample:
Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtAndre sank a perfect basket from half court afterafter thethe
coachcoach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.
Dropping the comma
after court is like a
championship game
turnover!
Dropping the comma
after court is like a
championship game
turnover!
Adding an
unnecessary
comma is like
grandstanding
when a teammate is
open!
Adding an
unnecessary
comma is like
grandstanding
when a teammate is
open!

19. The End.The End.