Fragments, Run-Ons, & Comma Splices Grammar Unit 3
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Part 1: Fragments Fragment = a sentence that doesnt have an
independent clause (has a subject & a verb) Fragment = a
sentence that doesnt have an independent clause (has a subject
& a verb) Ex: Hit the winning run.(no subject) Ex: Hit the
winning run.(no subject) A Dependent Clause has a subject and verb,
but it leaves the reader hanging. A Dependent Clause has a subject
and verb, but it leaves the reader hanging. After Mario hit the
winning run. (What?) After Mario hit the winning run. (What?)
Although the weather was cold. (What?) Although the weather was
cold. (What?) So, dependent clauses STANDING ALONE are fragments!
So, dependent clauses STANDING ALONE are fragments!
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More Fragments Phrase (missing subject and/or verb) = fragment
Phrase (missing subject and/or verb) = fragment In the morning. In
the morning. Wore a blue suit. Wore a blue suit. Dependent clauses
and phrases are important to our writing b/c they add details, but
they CANNOT be sentences by themselves. Dependent clauses and
phrases are important to our writing b/c they add details, but they
CANNOT be sentences by themselves.
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How to Identify Fragments Step 1: Find the verb, and double
underline it. Step 1: Find the verb, and double underline it. No
verb = Phrase = Fragment No verb = Phrase = Fragment Verb Go to
Step 2. Verb Go to Step 2. Early in the morning. (No
verb=Phrase=Fragment) Early in the morning. (No
verb=Phrase=Fragment) After Mark drove all night. (Verb Step 2)
After Mark drove all night. (Verb Step 2) Step 2: Find the subject
and underline it. Step 2: Find the subject and underline it. No
subject = Phrase = Fragment No subject = Phrase = Fragment Subject
You have a clause. Go to Step 3. Subject You have a clause. Go to
Step 3. Drove all night. (No subject=Phrase=Fragment) Drove all
night. (No subject=Phrase=Fragment) After Mark drove all night.
(Verb & Subject=Clause Step 3) After Mark drove all night.
(Verb & Subject=Clause Step 3)
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Step 3: You have a clause; determine which type (Independent or
Dependent). Step 3: You have a clause; determine which type
(Independent or Dependent). Find the Subordinating Conjunction and
underline it with a wavy line. Find the Subordinating Conjunction
and underline it with a wavy line. Subordinating Conjunction and
INCOMPLETE IDEA= Dependent Clause = Fragment Subordinating
Conjunction and INCOMPLETE IDEA= Dependent Clause = Fragment No
Subordinating Conjunction OR Subordinating Conjunction WITH a
COMPLETE IDEA = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence No
Subordinating Conjunction OR Subordinating Conjunction WITH a
COMPLETE IDEA = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence
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Examples: Examples: After Mark drove all night. (SC and
incomplete idea = Dependent Clause = Fragment) After Mark drove all
night. (SC and incomplete idea = Dependent Clause = Fragment) Mark
drove all night. (No SC = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence)
Mark drove all night. (No SC = Independent Clause = Complete
Sentence) After Mark drove all night, he was tired. (SC and
complete idea = Independent Clause = Complete Sentence) After Mark
drove all night, he was tired. (SC and complete idea = Independent
Clause = Complete Sentence)
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Fixing Fragments 2 ways to fix a fragment, and both involve
erasing something 2 ways to fix a fragment, and both involve
erasing something
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Method #1 Erase the period and attach the fragment to a
sentence that has an independent clause. Erase the period and
attach the fragment to a sentence that has an independent clause.
In the morning. (Phrase=Fragment) In the morning. (Phrase=Fragment)
Sherry jogs three miles. (IC=Sentence) In the morning, Sherry jogs
three miles. In the morning, Sherry jogs three miles.OR Sherry jogs
three miles in the morning. Sherry jogs three miles in the
morning.
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Method #2 If a fragment is a dependent clause, you can erase
the subordinating conjunction and turn the dependent clause into an
independent clause. If a fragment is a dependent clause, you can
erase the subordinating conjunction and turn the dependent clause
into an independent clause. When the dog chews the newspaper.
(DC=Fragment) When the dog chews the newspaper. (DC=Fragment) The
dog chews the newspaper. The dog chews the newspaper.
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Your Assignment Complete the Practice Worksheet Complete the
Practice Worksheet Be ready for a quiz on fragments and fixing
fragments! Be ready for a quiz on fragments and fixing
fragments!
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Part 2: Comma Splices & Run-Ons
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Comma Splices & Run- Ons Both have 2 independent clauses
Both have 2 independent clauses A comma splice has a comma between
the 2 independent clauses A comma splice has a comma between the 2
independent clauses Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue
cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. A run-on doesnt have a comma
between the 2 independent clauses A run-on doesnt have a comma
between the 2 independent clauses Sue cooked dinner Joe washed the
dishes. Sue cooked dinner Joe washed the dishes.
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Fixing Comma Splices & Run-Ons 4 methods to fix them 4
methods to fix them Instead of erasing something, you add
something. (opposite of fixing fragments) Instead of erasing
something, you add something. (opposite of fixing fragments)
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Method #1 Add a period at the spot where the 2 clauses meet to
separate them into 2 sentences. Add a period at the spot where the
2 clauses meet to separate them into 2 sentences. Sue cooked
dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, Joe
washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner. Joe washed dishes.
(CORRECT) Sue cooked dinner. Joe washed dishes. (CORRECT)
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Method #2 Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
between the 2 independent clauses. Add a comma and a coordinating
conjunction (FANBOYS) between the 2 independent clauses. Sue cooked
dinner, Joe washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, Joe
washed dishes. (comma splice) Sue cooked dinner, and Joe washed
dishes. (CORRECT) Sue cooked dinner, and Joe washed dishes.
(CORRECT)
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Coordinating Conjunctions
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Know FANBOYS!!! They are the only words that can be used with a
comma to separate 2 independent clauses. They are the only words
that can be used with a comma to separate 2 independent
clauses.
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Method #3 Add a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of
one of the independent clauses to make it dependent. Add a
subordinating conjunction at the beginning of one of the
independent clauses to make it dependent. Use the subordinating
conjunction that fits the meaning of your sentence. Use the
subordinating conjunction that fits the meaning of your sentence. A
comma must follow the dependent clause when it is at the beginning
of a sentence. A comma must follow the dependent clause when it is
at the beginning of a sentence. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the
dishes. (CS) Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. (CS) After
Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. After Sue cooked dinner,
Joe washed the dishes.OR Sue cooked dinner before Joe washed the
dishes. Sue cooked dinner before Joe washed the dishes.
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Method #4 Add a semi-colon (;) between the 2 clauses if they
relate to one another. Add a semi-colon (;) between the 2 clauses
if they relate to one another. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the
dishes. Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked
dinner; Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; Joe washed the
dishes. A variation of the semi-colon method: Add a conjunctive
adverb (transitions) followed by a comma. A variation of the
semi-colon method: Add a conjunctive adverb (transitions) followed
by a comma. Put the semi-colon after the 1 st independent clause,
then write the conjunctive adverb followed by a comma and the 2 nd
independent clause. Put the semi-colon after the 1 st independent
clause, then write the conjunctive adverb followed by a comma and
the 2 nd independent clause.
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Sue cooked dinner, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner,
Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked dinner; therefore, Joe washed the
dishes. Sue cooked dinner; therefore, Joe washed the dishes. Sue
cooked dinner; consequently, Joe washed the dishes. Sue cooked
dinner; consequently, Joe washed the dishes.
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Common Conjunctive Adverbs However However Therefore Therefore
Consequently Consequently Nevertheless Nevertheless Accordingly
Accordingly Furthermore Furthermore Hence Hence Moreover Moreover
Also, look at your Transition Words List (in your definition essay
packet) for more conjunctive adverbs.
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Your Assignment Complete the practice worksheet and Complete
the practice worksheet and Study for the quiz!!! Study for the
quiz!!!