2.15: Common Sentence Errors

Fragments

A fragment occurs when a group of words that does not form a complete sentence is punctuated as though it is a complete sentence. Here are three common types of fragments and ways to correct them:

The fragment may lack a predicate because the verb is incomplete.

Incomplete Verb Fragments

Fragment The runners staggering in the 100-degree heat.	Complete Sentence The runners were staggering in the 100-degree heat. Note: The present participle, "staggering," is not a complete verb without the helping verb "were."

The fragment may be a dependent (subordinate) clause that needs to be attached to an independent clause.

     

Dependent Clause Fragments

Fragment     Unless she could earn the money for tuition.	Complete Sentence Unless she could earn the money for tuition, she would have to drop out of school. Note: The fragment here is an adverb clause and does not express a complete thought unless it is attached to an independent clause.

  

Adjective Clause Fragments

Fragment  Which was the best thing to do.	Complete Sentence My sister decided to sell the house, which was the best thing to do. (Note: The fragment here is an adjective clause and does not express a complete thought unless it is attached to an independent clause. See section Complex Sentences.)

The fragment may be a subject with modifiers that needs a linking verb.

Fragments with Missing Linking Verbs

Fragment Doubt and mistrust everywhere, fogging the minds of managers and workers alike.	Complete Sentence Doubt and mistrust were everywhere, fogging the minds of managers and workers alike. Note: Were supplies the needed linking verb in this sentence. Fogging may seem like a verb, but it is only part of a participial phrase and cannot be a complete verb without a helping verb.

Run-on Sentences

Sentences with two or more independent clauses that have been incorrectly combined are known as run-on sentences. A run-on sentence may be either a fused sentence or a comma splice.

Fused sentence: A family of foxes lived under our shed young foxes played all over the yard.

Notice that there are two sentences here, one about a family of foxes, which ends with the word shed, and another about the young foxes. These two sentences are simply run together without any punctuation, coordination, or subordination, creating a fused sentence.

Comma splice: We looked outside, the kids were hopping on the trampoline.

Here the break between the two sentences is marked with only a comma. Since a comma is not a legitimate way to connect independent clauses, this creates a comma splice.

Correcting Run-ons with Punctuation

One way to correct run-on sentences is to correct the punctuation.

• Adding a period will correct the run-on by creating two separate sentences.
• Using a semicolon between the two complete sentences will correct the error. Note: A semicolon allows you to keep the two closely related ideas together in one sentence. When you punctuate with a semicolon, make sure that both parts of the sentence are independent clauses.
• Coordinating conjunctions (remember FANBOYS).
• Subordination can also be used to fix run-ons.

  

Correcting a Run-On

Run-On (fused sentence) The accident closed both lanes of traffic we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.	Corrected Sentence The accident closed both lanes of traffic; we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.

  

When you use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, you may wish to add a conjunctive adverb to show the connection between the two thoughts. After the semicolon, add the conjunctive adverb and follow it with a comma (see Compound Sentences).

    

Using Conjunctive Adverbs with Semicolons

Run-On (fused sentence)    The project was put on hold, we didn’t have time to slow down, so we kept working.	Corrected Sentence The project was put on hold; however, we didn’t have time to slow down, so we kept working.

Exercise 26: Identify Common Sentence Errors

Use what you have learned so far to identify common sentence errors. Label each sentence as a fragment (F), a run-on sentence (R), or a correct, complete sentence (C) in the space before each. Write corrected sentences on the lines below fragments and run-ons.
1._____ Being absent hurts a student's grade, he or she should be in class every day.
____________________________________________________________________________
2._____ Having been interested in science most of her life, she did well in Biology 101.
____________________________________________________________________________
3._____ Hurry with your breakfast, you will miss the bus.
____________________________________________________________________________
4._____ Several students had the right answer; however, most of them failed the exam.
____________________________________________________________________________
5._____ Several girls expressed concerns about course selections, therefore, changes were made.
____________________________________________________________________________
6._____ Jim practiced the violin daily, he wanted to excel in music.
____________________________________________________________________________
7._____ The child loved his mother, but he did not want to obey her.
____________________________________________________________________________
8._____ I had a severe case of the flu last year.
____________________________________________________________________________
9._____ And spent the first three days of my illness in bed.
____________________________________________________________________________
10._____ Because I was sick of my bed and decided I would lie on the sofa and watch television.
____________________________________________________________________________
11._____ Only getting up to take care of the necessities of life.
____________________________________________________________________________
12._____ Then I must have fallen asleep.
____________________________________________________________________________
13._____ When I was suddenly conscious again.
____________________________________________________________________________
14._____ The wind howled outside, the house was damp and chilly, and my fever soared.
____________________________________________________________________________
15._____ Then, somewhere in the blackness ahead of me, I saw a spot of light.
____________________________________________________________________________
16._____ Because I was sure that I had died.
____________________________________________________________________________
17._____ Running a temperature between 102 and 107.
____________________________________________________________________________
18._____ Voting is a privilege, this privilege should not be taken for granted.
____________________________________________________________________________
19._____ Be ready for any emergency, plan ahead.
____________________________________________________________________________
20._____ What has happened to the economy, many Americans want the answer to this question.
____________________________________________________________________________
21._____ A friend is always willing to help, friendship is invaluable.
____________________________________________________________________________
22._____ Although he was sick, James came to class.
________________________________________________________
23._____ He arrived at the office late, then he realized he had left his laptop at home.
____________________________________________________________________________
24._____ We were excited about the game, and we won.
________________________________________________________
25._____ Be careful with your answer, your grade could be affected.
________________________________________________________

 

Attribution:

This page is adapted from 7.2: Types of sentences(opens in new window) in Writing for Success (Weaver et al.)(opens in new window), which was shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0(opens in new window) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lynne Bost, Barbara Hall, Michelle Kassorla, Karen McKinney-Holley, Kirk Swenson, and Rebecca Weaver (Managing Editor)(opens in new window) (Open Textbooks at Affordable Learning Georgia(opens in new window))