Fragments
A fragment is a complete or unfinished sentence. It does not express a complete thought
Ex: Incorrect - Justin Beiber is an adolescent. Which is why he needs braces.
Correct - Justin Beiber is an adolescent, which is why he needs braces.
Ex: Incorrect - Lucy hates most animals. Including monkeys.
Correct - Lucy hates most animals, including monkeys.
Ex: Incorrect - Justin Beiber is an adolescent. Which is why he needs braces.
Correct - Justin Beiber is an adolescent, which is why he needs braces.
Ex: Incorrect - Lucy hates most animals. Including monkeys.
Correct - Lucy hates most animals, including monkeys.
Run-ons
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more sentences are incorrectly combined as one sentence. To fix a run-on sentence, add a period or semicolon or add a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Ex: Incorrect - The writing center is helpful it also has nice tutors.
Correct - The writing center is helpful. It also has nice tutors.
Ex: Incorrect - My nephew loves Legos he doesn't like vegetables.
Correct - My nephew loves Legos, but he doesn't like vegetables.
Correct - My nephew loves Legos; he doesn't like vegetables, however.
Ex: Incorrect - The writing center is helpful it also has nice tutors.
Correct - The writing center is helpful. It also has nice tutors.
Ex: Incorrect - My nephew loves Legos he doesn't like vegetables.
Correct - My nephew loves Legos, but he doesn't like vegetables.
Correct - My nephew loves Legos; he doesn't like vegetables, however.
Comma Splices
A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence when two independent clauses are joined by a comma.
Ex: Incorrect - I like cats, dogs are great too.
You can fix comma splices in a few ways:
1. Add one of the FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions - For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
Ex: Correct - I like cats, but dogs are great too.
2. Change the comma to a period.
Ex: Correct - I like cats. Dogs are great too.
3. Change the comma to a semicolon
Ex: Correct - I like cats; dogs are great too.
Note: Semicolons should be used sparingly!
Ex: Incorrect - I like cats, dogs are great too.
You can fix comma splices in a few ways:
1. Add one of the FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions - For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
Ex: Correct - I like cats, but dogs are great too.
2. Change the comma to a period.
Ex: Correct - I like cats. Dogs are great too.
3. Change the comma to a semicolon
Ex: Correct - I like cats; dogs are great too.
Note: Semicolons should be used sparingly!