grammar presentation about run ons, fragments and comma splices for middle school students.

1. Run-Ons, Comma
Splices, & Fragments
WE WILL IDENTIFY RUN-ONS, FRAGMENTS AND COMMA SPLICES AND
CORRECT THEM

2. Sentence Errors
The majority of errors in sentence writing are in three specific areas:
Run-ons
Fragments
Comma splices
Each of these errors is easy to correct.

3. Meet the FANBOYS
Did you know that you can
separate two complete
sentences with a comma
only if you use one of the
FANBOYS?
F
F A
A N
N B
B O
O Y
Y S
S
For
For
And
And
Nor
Nor
But
But
Or
Or
Yet
Yet
So
So

4. Here’s how they work . . .
1-This is a great class the teacher never finishes on time.
◦ This is a great class,
, but
but the teacher never finishes on time.
2-It is now one o’clock let’s start the workshop.
◦ It is now one o’clock,
, so
so let’s start the workshop.
3-Prof. Velasquez talked about the history of the
Mayans she discussed their art and music.
◦ Prof. Velasquez talked about the history of the Mayans,
, and
and
she discussed their art and music.

5. Run-ons run on and on and on and...
Run-ons are sentences that should be
separated, but they are joined anyway
without proper punctuation.
◦ The global food crisis is a threat to Africa many
The global food crisis is a threat to Africa many
children are dying of hunger
children are dying of hunger.
But what do you do if you want to join
them as one complete sentence?

6. Fixing run-ons: there are
options.
Option one: separate the two complete sentences
using a period.
◦ The global food crisis is a threat to Africa. Many children are dying of
The global food crisis is a threat to Africa. Many children are dying of
hunger.
hunger.
Option two: join them by using a semi-colon.
◦ The global food crisis is a threat to Africa; many children are dying of
The global food crisis is a threat to Africa; many children are dying of
hunger.
hunger.

7. More options for run-ons
Option three: Separate them by a comma and a
FANBOYS:
◦ The global food crisis is a threat to Africa, and many children are dying of
The global food crisis is a threat to Africa, and many children are dying of
hunger.
hunger.
Option four: Find ways to join them by subordination.
◦ As a result of the global food crisis in Africa, many children are dying of
As a result of the global food crisis in Africa, many children are dying of
hunger.
hunger.

8. Comma Splices
Comma splices are sentences that should be
separated, but they are joined with a comma.
1-College is hard, the expectations are higher than high school.
(Comma splice)
2-The professor assigns too much homework, I don’t have much
free time.

9. Fixing comma splices
If you are guilty of comma splices, relax. They are easy to fix.
Option one: separate the sentences into two
◦ College is hard, the expectations are higher than high school.
◦ College is hard. The expectations are higher than high school.
College is hard. The expectations are higher than high school.
Option two: change the wording so that they can become one
complete sentence.
◦ College is hard, the expectations are higher than high school.
◦ College is hard because the expectations are higher than high school.
College is hard because the expectations are higher than high school.

10. More options for comma
splices
Option three: join the two sentences by a comma and a FANBOYS.
◦ College is hard, the expectations are higher than high school.
◦ College is hard, for the expectations are higher than high school.
College is hard, for the expectations are higher than high school.

11. Fragments
Fragments are incomplete sentences.
They are partial ideas, leaving the reader to think, “What does this mean?”
They may lack a verb, a subject, or both.
Examples:
◦ Whenever she asks.
◦ As this was a great opportunity.
◦ Finding nowhere to turn

12. Fixing Fragments
Option one: Add a subject or a verb until the sentence makes complete
sense as a stand-alone thought.
Finding nowhere to turn.
Ask yourself “Who am I talking about?”
◦ Finding nowhere to turn, the
Finding nowhere to turn, the young man
young man eventually turned to alcohol and
eventually turned to alcohol and
drugs.
drugs.

13. Fixing fragments: Another
option
Option two: join them to the previous or next sentence.
◦ My uncle always gives Janet the car. Whenever she asks.
◦ My uncle always gives Janet the car whenever she asks.
My uncle always gives Janet the car whenever she asks.

14. Remember, you are in
charge!
How you want to edit your paper is your decision.
Over time, you will develop a writing style.
Determine which way best suits the tone and purpose of the writing.
In some cases, short sentences are more powerful and effective. In
others, longer sentences enhance understanding of a point.