Grammar Boot Camp

Obstacle Course:
Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices
(click mouse to proceed)
What is a Fragment?
 A sentence fragment is an incomplete
thought.
 Choose one of the following options to
correct a fragment:
1. Connect the fragment to the sentence before
it, or
2. Connect the fragment to the sentence after
it, or
3. Rewrite the fragment so that it is a complete
thought ( Complete the missing elements).
Fragments: How to they occur?
Fragments
Fragments
“To” Fragment: Begins with the word “to.”

 Fragment: To do my best.
 Correction: My grandfather taught me to
do my best.
To do my best, I need an

incentive.
Fragments
What is a Run-on?
What is a Comma Splice?
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

1. 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.
 2. Use A Coordinator/ Coordinating
Conjunction/ FANBOYS
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

Example on using 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:
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:
Conjunctive Adverbs
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:

1. Although he had promised that he would.

2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where
the lecture is being given.
3. Making it impossible for us to see the road.
4. 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:
1. Although he had promised that he would.
Fragment
2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where
the lecture is being given. Comma splice
3. Making it impossible for us to see the road.
fragment
4. I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre
Island it gives me a sense of peace. Run-on