11.3 Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
4 min read•august 9, 2024
Avoiding run-on sentences and sentence fragments is crucial for clear writing. These common errors can confuse readers and weaken your message. By understanding how to identify and fix them, you'll improve your writing's clarity and impact.
Mastering proper sentence structure is a key skill in English grammar. Run-ons and fragments are easy mistakes to make, but with practice, you can learn to spot and correct them. This will help you communicate more effectively in all your writing.
Run-on Sentences
Types of Run-on Sentences
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- occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or connecting words
- joins two independent clauses with only a comma, lacking a
- combines two independent clauses without any punctuation or connecting words between them
- expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence
- Coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance
- functions as a strong comma to separate closely related independent clauses
Identifying and Correcting Run-on Sentences
- Recognize run-on sentences by identifying multiple independent clauses improperly connected
- Correct comma splices by adding a coordinating conjunction after the comma (I love coffee, and I drink it every morning)
- Fix fused sentences by separating independent clauses with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction (I'm tired; I need to sleep)
- Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (She's an excellent writer; her novels are bestsellers)
- Add a to create a complex sentence (Because I'm tired, I need to sleep)
- Employ a with proper punctuation to link independent clauses (I'm tired; therefore, I need to sleep)
Common Mistakes and Prevention
- Avoid mistaking long sentences for run-ons, as length doesn't determine correctness
- Be cautious with compound predicates, which don't require comma or semicolon (She sang and danced)
- Watch for subtle run-ons in dialogue or informal writing (He said he was coming I don't believe him)
- Practice identifying subject-verb pairs to recognize independent clauses more easily
- Use sparingly to prevent overuse and maintain sentence variety
- Remember that dependent clauses cannot stand alone and require connection to an independent clause
Sentence Fragments
Understanding Sentence Fragments
- lacks essential components to form a complete thought
- Independent clause contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete idea
- includes a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
- Subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause, connecting it to an independent clause
Types of Sentence Fragments
- omits the doer of the action (Went to the store)
- fails to express an action or state of being (The cat on the windowsill)
- stands alone without an independent clause (Because it was raining)
- uses a verb form as an adjective without a main clause (Running through the park)
- begins with "to" followed by a verb's base form (To finish the project on time)
Correcting Sentence Fragments
- Add a subject to fragments lacking one (She went to the store)
- Include a verb in fragments missing an action or state of being (The cat sits on the windowsill)
- Combine dependent clauses with independent clauses (Because it was raining, we stayed indoors)
- Attach participle phrases to complete sentences (Running through the park, I saw my friend)
- Connect infinitive phrases to main clauses (To finish the project on time, we worked overtime)
- Use coordinating conjunctions to join related fragments into complete sentences (I love coffee, and I drink it every morning)
- Employ subordinating conjunctions to create complex sentences from fragments (Although it was late, we continued working)
Conjunctions and Punctuation
Types and Uses of Conjunctions
- Coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
- Subordinating conjunction introduces dependent clauses, linking them to independent clauses (because, although, if, when, while)
- work in pairs to connect sentence elements (either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also)
- Conjunctive adverb transitions between independent clauses, showing relationships (however, therefore, moreover, consequently)
Punctuation Rules for Conjunctions
- Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses (I studied hard, and I passed the exam)
- Omit the comma when coordinating conjunctions join words or phrases (She likes apples and oranges)
- Place a comma after a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence (Although it was raining, we went for a walk)
- Avoid using a comma when the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence (We went for a walk although it was raining)
- Employ a semicolon before and a comma after conjunctive adverbs joining independent clauses (She was late; however, she apologized)
Advanced Conjunction and Punctuation Techniques
- Use semicolons to separate items in a complex list containing internal commas (We visited Paris, France; London, England; and Rome, Italy)
- Employ em dashes for emphasis or to set off parenthetical information (She loved three things — reading, writing, and arithmetic)
- Utilize colons to introduce lists or explanations following independent clauses (He needed three items: a pen, paper, and an envelope)
- Incorporate parentheses for supplementary information that can be removed without altering the sentence structure (The concert (which lasted for hours) was spectacular)
- Apply the Oxford comma in lists of three or more items for clarity (I bought apples, oranges, and bananas)
- Combine different types of conjunctions to create varied and complex sentence structures (Although it was raining, we went for a walk, but we brought umbrellas)
Key Terms to Review (23)
Adding a subject: Adding a subject refers to the process of incorporating a noun or pronoun into a sentence to clarify who or what is performing the action or being described. This technique is crucial in transforming incomplete thoughts into complete sentences, thus preventing run-on sentences and sentence fragments. By adding a subject, clarity and coherence are enhanced, allowing the reader to easily understand the intended message.
Attaching participle phrases: Attaching participle phrases are verb forms ending in -ing or -ed that add information to a sentence by describing a noun or pronoun. These phrases can enhance the detail and clarity of a sentence, but if not properly connected, they can lead to run-on sentences or fragments, creating confusion in writing.
Combining sentences: Combining sentences is the process of joining two or more simple sentences to create a more complex and coherent sentence. This technique enhances writing by reducing the number of short, choppy sentences and helps to clarify relationships between ideas. By using conjunctions, punctuation, or relative clauses, combining sentences allows for smoother transitions and a more fluid narrative.
Comma Splice: A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by just a comma without a coordinating conjunction. This error can disrupt the flow and clarity of writing, making it essential to understand proper punctuation to avoid it.
Conjunctive Adverb: A conjunctive adverb is a type of adverb that connects two independent clauses, indicating a relationship between them, such as contrast, addition, or cause and effect. They often serve to improve the flow of sentences by linking thoughts more cohesively. Common examples include 'however', 'therefore', and 'meanwhile', and they can help clarify the relationship between ideas, making writing clearer and more effective.
Connecting infinitive phrases: Connecting infinitive phrases are groups of words that include the infinitive form of a verb and function to link ideas or actions in a sentence. They often serve to show purpose, intention, or causation, allowing for more complex and nuanced sentence structures that help avoid run-on sentences and fragments.
Coordinating conjunction: A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal grammatical rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are 'for', 'and', 'nor', 'but', 'or', and 'yet', often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS. These conjunctions play a crucial role in sentence structure, enabling writers to create compound sentences and avoid fragments or run-on sentences.
Coordinating Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or equal in structure. They play a crucial role in forming compound sentences by linking independent clauses, enhancing sentence variety and clarity in writing. The most common coordinating conjunctions are 'for,' 'and,' 'nor,' 'but,' 'or,' 'yet,' and 'so,' often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS.
Correlative Conjunctions: Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect equal parts of a sentence, such as words, phrases, or clauses. They help create balance and structure in writing by ensuring that related elements are presented in a parallel manner. Understanding how to properly use these conjunctions is essential for constructing clear and effective compound sentences, maintaining parallel structure, and avoiding common grammatical errors.
Dependent clause: A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'although,' 'because,' or 'when,' and they rely on independent clauses to provide meaning.
Dependent clause fragment: A dependent clause fragment is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought, making it unable to stand alone as a sentence. These fragments typically begin with subordinating conjunctions, such as 'because,' 'although,' or 'if,' and they often lead to confusion in writing when they are mistakenly treated as complete sentences.
Fused sentence: A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined together without any punctuation or coordinating conjunction, resulting in a run-on sentence. This lack of separation can make the sentence confusing and hard to read, as it combines complete thoughts without the necessary breaks. Understanding how to identify and correct fused sentences is crucial for clear and effective writing.
Including a Verb: Including a verb refers to the necessity of having a verb in a complete sentence to express an action or state of being. In the context of run-on sentences and sentence fragments, ensuring the presence of a verb is crucial for sentence completeness, as sentences without verbs can lead to confusion and lack of clarity.
Independent Clause: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. This type of clause can stand alone as a sentence, making it essential for constructing clear and effective communication.
Infinitive phrase fragment: An infinitive phrase fragment is a group of words that begins with an infinitive (the base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to') and includes any modifiers or complements, but does not form a complete sentence. These fragments often lack a subject or a main verb, making them incomplete thoughts that can lead to confusion in writing. Recognizing these fragments is essential for crafting clear and effective sentences.
Lacking a subject fragment: A lacking a subject fragment is an incomplete sentence that does not contain a subject, making it unclear or ungrammatical. This type of fragment often occurs when a writer mistakenly omits the subject of a sentence, leading to confusion about who or what is being discussed. It is important to recognize and correct these fragments to ensure clarity and coherence in writing.
Missing a verb fragment: A missing a verb fragment occurs when a sentence lacks a main verb, leading to an incomplete thought that cannot stand alone as a proper sentence. This kind of fragment often arises when a dependent clause is presented without the necessary main clause or when a subject is present but not accompanied by a verb, making it impossible for the reader to understand the intended message.
Participle Phrase Fragment: A participle phrase fragment is a group of words that begins with a participle and includes its modifiers and complements, but does not form a complete sentence because it lacks a subject or a main verb. These fragments can create confusion in writing, as they often leave the reader wondering what the main action is or who is performing it. Understanding how to identify and correct these fragments is crucial for constructing clear and effective sentences.
Run-on Sentence: A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. This lack of correct separation can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of writing. Proper understanding of run-on sentences is essential for mastering grammar rules, using punctuation correctly, and constructing clear, effective simple sentences.
Semicolon: A semicolon is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause between two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. It serves as a bridge between sentences, allowing writers to connect ideas more fluidly than a period would, while being more distinct than a comma. This makes it particularly useful in structuring complex sentences and clarifying relationships between ideas.
Sentence fragment: A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought and is not a full sentence on its own. It typically lacks either a subject, a verb, or does not convey a complete idea, making it dependent on other clauses for meaning. Recognizing and correcting sentence fragments is essential for clear and effective writing.
Subject-verb pair: A subject-verb pair is a fundamental grammatical structure consisting of a subject, which indicates who or what the sentence is about, and a verb, which expresses the action or state of being of the subject. Understanding this structure is essential for identifying complete sentences and recognizing fragments or run-on sentences, as both often involve missing or improperly combined subject-verb pairs.
Subordinating conjunction: A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, indicating a relationship between the two. These conjunctions create complex sentences by linking ideas and showing how one idea depends on another. They can introduce conditions, reasons, time, and contrast, which allows for more nuanced expression in writing.