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Grammar Boot Camp. Obstacle Course: Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices (click mouse to proceed). Your Mission:. To Study Fragments To Study Run-ons To Study Comma Splices To Exercise your Writing Muscles
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Grammar Boot Camp Obstacle Course: Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices (click mouse to proceed)
Your Mission: • To Study Fragments • To Study Run-ons • To Study Comma Splices • To Exercise your Writing Muscles This presentation is enhanced with “Question and Answer” slides. To access, simply click on the words that are highlighted and underlined.
What is a Fragment? • A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought. • Choose one of the following options to correct a fragment: • Connect the fragment to the sentence before it, or • Connect the fragment to the sentence after it, or • Rewrite the fragment so that it is a complete thought.
Fragments Dependent Clause Fragment: Begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. • Fragment: When it is time to go home. • Correction: When it is time to go home, I will call you.
Fragments “-ing” Fragment: Begins with a word ending in “-ing.” • Fragment: Waiting for the rain to stop. • Correction: Waiting for the rain to stop, the pedestrian sought refuge in the corner café.
Fragments “To” Fragment: Begins with the word “to.” • Fragment: To do my best. • Correction: My grandfather taught me to do my best.
Fragments Added-Detail Fragment: Begins with “for example,” “such as,” “especially,” and similar transitions. • Fragment: Especially when the vegetables are fresh. • Correction: I enjoy salads, especially when the vegetables are fresh.
What is a Run-on? • A run-on contains two more independent clauses without punctuation signaling the end of the first clause and the beginning of the next clause. • Example: Many dogs enter the contest the poodle is the usual winner.
What is a Comma Splice? • A comma splice is a sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by only a comma. • Example: The book is inspirational, it changed my life.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices: • Make Two Separate Sentences: • Run-on: John mowed the lawn Alex raked the leaves. • Comma Splice: John mowed the lawn, Alex raked the leaves. • Correction: John mowed the lawn. Alex raked the leaves. • Correction: John mowed the lawn, and Alex raked the leaves.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices: • Use Comma Plus Coordinating Conjunction: • Run-on: Julie is not my sister she is my cousin. • Comma Splice: Julie is not my sister, she is my cousin. • Correction: Julie is not my sister, but she is my cousin.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices: 3. Use Semicolon to Connect the Sentences: • Run-on: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful it had multicolor stripes. • Comma Splice: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful, it had multicolor stripes. • Correction: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful; it had multicolor stripes.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices: 4. Use a Conjunctive Adverb with Appropriate Punctuation: • Run-on: We joined the group for dinner we did not go to the concert afterward. • Comma Splice: We joined the group for dinner, we did not go to the concert afterward. • Correction A: We joined the group for dinner; however, we did not go to the concert afterward. • Correction B: We joined the group for dinner. However, we did not go to the concert afterward.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices: 5. Use Subordination: • Run-on: The mother cat cleaned her kittens they began to cry. • Comma Splice: The mother cat cleaned her kittens, they began to cry. • Correction A: The mother cat cleaned her kittens when they began to cry. • Correction B: When they began to cry, the mother cat cleaned her kittens.
Exercise Your Muscles: Identify whether the following items contain either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice: • Although he had promised that he would. • Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where the lecture is being given. • Making it impossible for us to see the road. • I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre Island it gives me a sense of peace.
Answer key: Identify whether the following items contain either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice: • Although he had promised that he would. Fragment • Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where the lecture is being given. Comma splice • Making it impossible for us to see the road. fragment • I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre Island it gives me a sense of peace. Run-on
Congratulations! You have successfully completed Obstacle Course: Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices of Grammar Boot Camp. Sign up for the other sessions of Grammar Boot Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website: http://www.delmar.edu/engl/wrtctr.
