FRAGMENTS

RUN ONS & COMMA

SPLICES
COMPILED BY
SHAIMAA SAEED
ASSISTANT LECTURER OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
WHAT ARE FRAGMENTS?
 Fragments are incomplete sentences that do not give a
full meaning. They are missing a verb or a subject or both.
Examples:
 First, the lack of exercise.
 Furthermore, the huge development of the country, easy
life and transportation.
 Although the number falling.
 Also the different kinds of entertainment such as videos
and television.
 For example, fast food, sweet things and oily food.

http://www.writefix.com/argument/fragments.htm
 HOW CAN YOU FIX THEM?
Add a subject, or verb, or both. Try adding a phrase.
Examples:
 First, the lack of exercise has led to a big increase in the
number of overweight people.
 Furthermore, the huge development of the country, an easier life
and luxury cars have meant that many people do not have
to work hard.
 Although the number is falling, many students still do not finish
high school.
 Different kinds media such as video and television can provide
good family entertainment.
 For example, fast food, sweet things and oily food can all lead to
obesity.

http://www.writefix.com/argument/fragments.htm
WHAT ARE RUN ON SENTENCES?

 Run on Sentences are complete sentences

(independent clauses) following each other
without a punctuation mark separating them.

Example:
 Sam loves the Egyptian culture he cannot travel
to Egypt. (X incorrect)
WHAT IS A COMMA SPLICE?
 A comma splice is an excessive misuse of commas
when linking independent clauses together.

Example:

 Sam loves the Egyptian culture , he cannot travel to

,
Egypt because he is studying for a postgraduate
degree in America. (X incorrect)
HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?

1- Link independent clauses using a full stop (a

period) then a capital letter.

Example:

She needs help . No one volunteers to help her.

HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?

2- Use a comma and a suitable coordinating

conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Example:

She needs help , but no one volunteers to help

her.
HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?
3- Use a semi colon (;) to link to related
independent clauses.

Example:

She needs help ; no one volunteers to help her.

A small letter after
the semi colon
HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?
4- Use one of the subordinating conjunctions
 after  since
 although  so [that implied], so that
 as  than
 because  that
 before  though
 even though  unless
 if, even if  when, whenever
 in order that  where, wherever, whereas
 once  whether
 provided that  While
HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?
Examples:
 The subordinating conjunction is at the beginning
of the sentence:

,
Although she needs help no one volunteers to help her.
 The subordinating conjunction is in the middle of
the sentence……. (no punctuation mark in this
case).
No one volunteers to help Nada although she needs help.
HOW TO AVOID RUN ONS & COMMA
SPLICES?
5- Use a suitable Conjunctive Adverb (however,
moreover, nevertheless, hence, thus, instead, in
addition, also, therefore, otherwise, then, next)
Example:
She needs help; however, no one volunteers to
help her.
A semi colon before it
and a comma after

N.B. : “ Then” is punctuated differently.

Mix the flour and butter, then add the eggs. (Longman Dictionary)
Mix the flour and butter and then add the eggs. (No punctuation mark)
 TEST YOURSELF

Determine whether this sentence is a run on

sentence or comma splice; then, fix the problem.

The ability to write a good essay is essential

you need to take writing intensive English
classes.
 CORRECT ANSWERS
This is a run on sentence. It could be fixed as follows:

The ability to write a good essay is essential .You need to take writing
intensive English classes.

The ability to write a good essay is essential ,so you need to take
writing intensive English classes.

;
The ability to write a good essay is essential you need to take writing
intensive English classes.

,
Since the ability to write a good essay is essential you need to take
writing intensive English classes.

The ability to write a good essay is essential ; therefore, you need to

take writing intensive English classes.
 TEST YOURSELF

Determine whether this sentence is a run on

sentence or comma splice then fix the problem.

I received an A on my Psychology test, I am happy.

 CORRECT ANSWERS
This is a comma splice. It could be fixed as follows:

 I received an A on my Psychology test. I am

happy.
 I received an A on my Psychology test; I am
happy.
 I received an A on my Psychology test , so I am
happy.
 I am happy because I received an A on my
Psychology test.
 I received an A on my Psychology test; thus, I am
happy.
 USEFUL LINKS
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runon
s.htm
 http://www.penandpage.com/EngMenu/gramrnon.
htm
 http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/punct/csfsro.html
 http://www.valenciacc.edu/wp/cssc/documents/ru
n-onsandcommasplicesTipSheet.pdf
 http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/comma_s
plices.htm
 ONLINE EXERCISES
 http://www.unm.edu/~mgriffin/runon3.htm
 http://www.unm.edu/~mgriffin/runons.htm
 http://www.epcc.edu/Student/Tutorial/Writingcenter/Handouts/sentenc
estructureandgrammar/sentencestructure/Handouts/RunonandCommas
plicesinfoandex.pdf
 http://www.chompchomp.com/csfs01/csfs01.htm
 http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/run-ons_ex1.htm
 http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/comma_splices_ex1.h
tm
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova4.htm
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/runons_quiz.htm
 http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-
shl/quiz.pl/fragments_quiz.htm