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FRAGMENTS AND RUN-ONS 741-751. What is a Clause?. Clause – A group of words that contain a subject and predicate. A clause can be INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT. An INDEPENDENT (MAIN) CLAUSE can stand alone as a grammatically complete sentence.
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What is a Clause? • Clause – A group of words that contain a subject and predicate. A clause can be INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT. An INDEPENDENT (MAIN) CLAUSE can stand alone as a grammatically complete sentence. A DEPENDENT CLAUSE has a subject and predicate, but cannot stand alone as a grammatically correct sentence because it does not express a complete thought. EX: When the puppies were born • After he died
What is a Fragment? • Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. A fragment is often missing a subject, a complete verb or both; however, a fragment can have both these elements and still be a fragment because it does not express a complete thought.
Fragments and Revisions • Below are some examples with the fragments shown in bold. Punctuation and/or words added to make corrections are underlined. Notice that the fragment is frequently a dependent clause or long phrase that follows the main clause. Fragment: Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. Possible Revision: Purdue offers many majors in engineering, such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.
Fragments and Revisions Fragment: The coach walked off field in the middle of a game. Leaving her team at a time when we needed her. Possible Revision: The coach walked off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her team at a time when we needed her. Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Possible Revision: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn't working out too well.
Fragments and Revisions Some fragments are not pieces of sentences that have been left unattached to the main clause; they are written as main clauses but lack a subject or main verb. No main verb Fragment: A story with deep thoughts and emotions. Possible Revisions: Add a Subject and Verb: She told a story with deep thoughts and emotions.
Fragments and Revisions Fragment: Toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Possible Revisions: Complete the verb: Toys of all kinds were thrown everywhere. Add a subject and new verb: They found toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Fragment: A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired. Possible Revisions: Add a subject and new verb: I've noticed a record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired Add a Main verb: A record of accomplishment began when you were first hired.
Fragments and Revisions No Subject Fragment: With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. Possible Revisions: Remove preposition: WithThe ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product.
Run-Ons (Fused Sentences/Comma Splices) • A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without a punctuation mark or a conjunction. Run-on sentences are also known as fused sentences. • Some run-ons can be caused by a comma splice which occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined with a comma but without a conjunction (such as and, or, but).
Run-Ons (Fused Sentences/Comma Splices) • The best way to avoid such errors is to punctuate compound sentences correctly by using one or the other of these rules: 1. Join the two independent clauses with one of the coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), and use a comma before the connecting word. _________________________, so _________________________. There was a big sale at Macy’s, so she wanted to go to the mall.
Run-Ons (Fused Sentences/Comma Splices) 2. When you do not have a connecting word (or when you use a connecting word other than FANBOYS between the two independent clauses) use a semicolon (;). __________________________;___________________________. There was a big sale at Macy’s;she wanted to go to the mall. or __________________________; therefore,____________________. There was a big sale at Macy’s; therefore, she wanted to go to the mall.
Run-Ons (Fused Sentences/Comma Splices) • 3. You can simply separate the two sentences using a period. __________________________.___________________________. She wanted to go to the mall. There was a big sale at Macy’s • 4. You can combine the clauses appropriately by using a subordinating conjunction. __________________________because____________________. She wanted to go to the mall because there was a big sale at Macy’s
Run-Ons (Fused Sentences/Comma Splices) So, run-ons and fused sentences are terms describing two independent clauses which are joined together with no connecting word or punctuation to separate the clauses. • Incorrect: They weren't dangerous criminals they were detectives in disguise. • Correct: They weren't dangerous criminals; they were detectives in disguise. • Incorrect: I didn't know which job I wanted I was too confused to decide. • Correct: I didn't know which job I wanted, and I was too confused to decide.
In-Class Assignment • Using pages 741 – 751, complete Exercise 3.1 and 4.1 in your journals.
