Writing Correctly Connected Sentences

Correct sentences:• Simple sentences with one subject, one predicate

pose no problems:– The girls wanted to eat lunch at Subway.

• Compound sentences, two complete sentences joined with a conjunction, semicolon or colon, can be more challenging:– The girls wanted to lunch at Subway, but the boys

preferred Taco Bell.– The girls wanted to lunch at Subway; the boys

preferred Taco Bell.– The girls wanted to lunch at Subway; however, the

boys preferred Taco Bell.

Fragments

• A fragment is a simple sentence missing a subject or predicate:– Going to Taco Bell.– The boys wearing Skyhawk hoodies

• Compound sentences that keep the conjunction, but lop off one independent clause can be used for effect, but if overused, they become ineffective:– But I wanted a BLT.

Run-on Sentence• These sentences combine two or more

independent clauses (complete sentences), but leave out the conjunction or proper punctuation:– The girls wanted to eat at Subway but the boys were

craving Chalupas, they just wanted Taco Bell then they split up and that was that.

– I’ll drive you pay.

• To edit, break up the sentences, or add proper conjunctions and/or punctuation:– The girls wanted to eat at Subway, but the boys

were craving Chalupas: they just wanted Taco Bell. Then they split up, and that was that.

– I’ll drive; you pay.