Fragments, Comma Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Splices, and Fused

SentencesSentences

Fragments, Comma Fragments, Comma Splices, and Fused Splices, and Fused

SentencesSentences

How do I know if I have too little in a

sentence . . .

How do I know if I have too little in a

sentence . . .

And how can I tell if I have too much?

And how can I tell if I have too much?

This presentation covers avoiding

sentence fragments,

comma splices, and fused

sentences.

This presentation covers avoiding

sentence fragments,

comma splices, and fused

sentences.

You will learn to recognize complete sentences, employ

appropriate punctuation, and

use subordination and coordination.

You will learn to recognize complete sentences, employ

appropriate punctuation, and

use subordination and coordination.

A fragment, comma splice, A fragment, comma splice, and/or fused sentence item and/or fused sentence item on an objective test might on an objective test might look like this look like this .. .. ..

Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item

Sample ItemSample ItemSample ItemSample Item

At the pizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on the At the pizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on the

argument at the next table, hot cheese argument at the next table, hot cheese

cascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bare cascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bare

lap.lap.

A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; JoleneB.B.table while hottable while hotC.C.pizza. Ontopizza. OntoD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

At the At the pizzeria, Jolenepizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on the eavesdropped on the AAargument at the next argument at the next table, hottable, hot cheese cheese BBcascaded overcascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bare her slice of pizza onto her bare CClap.lap.

A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; JoleneB.B.table while hottable while hotC.C.cascaded. Overcascaded. OverD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

At the At the pizzeria, Jolenepizzeria, Jolene eavesdropped on the eavesdropped on the AAargument at the next argument at the next table while hottable while hot cheese cheese BBcascaded overcascaded over her slice of pizza onto her bare her slice of pizza onto her bare CClap.lap.

A.A.pizzeria; Jolenepizzeria; JoleneB.B.table while hottable while hotC.C.cascaded. Overcascaded. OverD.D.No change is necessary.No change is necessary.

Is the punctuation (or lack of it) at A,

B, or C incorrect?

Is the punctuation (or lack of it) at A,

B, or C incorrect?

The comma between table and hot makes a comma

splice, an error that option B fixes.

The comma between table and hot makes a comma

splice, an error that option B fixes.

Andre practiced jump shots to impress Andre practiced jump shots to impress Coach Nelson.Coach Nelson.

A sentence must have a A sentence must have a subjectsubject, , verbverb, and , and complete thoughtcomplete thought..A sentence must have a A sentence must have a subjectsubject, , verbverb, and , and complete thoughtcomplete thought..

Andre = subject, practiced = verb, and the thought =

complete, so you have a sentence.

Andre = subject, practiced = verb, and the thought =

complete, so you have a sentence.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when you when you see one.see one.

AndreAndre spinningspinning the ball to show off his the ball to show off his skills.skills.

Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when when you see one.you see one.Recognize a Recognize a fragment fragment when when you see one.you see one.

AndAnd spunspun the ball to show off his skills.the ball to show off his skills.As AndreAs Andre spunspun the ball to show off his the ball to show off his skills.skills.AndreAndre spunspun the ball to show off his skills.the ball to show off his skills.

Spinning ≠ a verb, so you have

a fragment!

Spinning ≠ a verb, so you have

a fragment!

Now there’s no subject, so you

still have a fragment.

Now there’s no subject, so you

still have a fragment.

Yikes! Now the thought is not

complete!

Yikes! Now the thought is not

complete!

Finally! A subject, a verb, and a complete

thought!

Finally! A subject, a verb, and a complete

thought!

Recognize Recognize fused sentences fused sentences and and comma splicescomma splices..

Recognize Recognize fused sentences fused sentences and and comma splicescomma splices..

Recognize Recognize fused sentences fused sentences and and comma splicescomma splices..Recognize Recognize fused sentences fused sentences and and comma splicescomma splices..

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court, Andre sank a perfect basket from half court, unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

You cannot run together

two sentences with no

punctuation!

You cannot run together

two sentences with no

punctuation!

You cannot join two

sentences with a comma!

You cannot join two

sentences with a comma!

Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half court court unfortunately unfortunately the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half court, court, unfortunately unfortunately the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Fix the error with a Fix the error with a periodperiod and a and a capital lettercapital letter..Fix the error with a Fix the error with a periodperiod and a and a capital lettercapital letter..

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Swish goes the period!

Swish goes the period!

Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half court. court. Unfortunately,Unfortunately, the coach the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Fix the error with a Fix the error with a commacomma and and a a coordinating conjunctioncoordinating conjunction..Fix the error with a Fix the error with a commacomma and and a a coordinating conjunctioncoordinating conjunction..

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Be my FANBOYS — for, and, nor, but, or, yet,

and so.

Be my FANBOYS — for, and, nor, but, or, yet,

and so.

Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half court, court, but but the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Fix the error with a Fix the error with a semicolonsemicolon..Fix the error with a Fix the error with a semicolonsemicolon..

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Use the semicolon

sparingly — 3 to 4 times per essay, max.

Use the semicolon

sparingly — 3 to 4 times per essay, max.

Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half court; court; unfortunately, unfortunately, the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Fix the error with a Fix the error with a subordinate conjunctionsubordinate conjunction..Fix the error with a Fix the error with a subordinate conjunctionsubordinate conjunction..

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court unfortunately the coachunfortunately the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Reduce one of the two

clauses to an incomplete

thought.

Reduce one of the two

clauses to an incomplete

thought.

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court after after the coachthe coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

These are the subordinate These are the subordinate conjunctions.conjunctions.These are the subordinate These are the subordinate conjunctions.conjunctions.

afterafter

althoughalthough

asas

becausebecause

beforebefore

even thougheven though

if, even ifif, even if

in order thatin order that

onceonce

provided thatprovided that

sincesince

so [so [thatthat implied], so that implied], so that

thanthan

thatthat

thoughthough

unlessunless

when, wheneverwhen, whenever

where, wherever, whereaswhere, wherever, whereas

whetherwhether

whilewhile

AlthoughAlthough Andre sank a perfect basket from half Andre sank a perfect basket from half courtcourt,, the coach the coach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

HereHere’s our sample:’s our sample:HereHere’s our sample:’s our sample:

Andre sank a perfect basket from half court Andre sank a perfect basket from half court afterafter the the coachcoach’s back was turned.’s back was turned.

Dropping the comma after court is like a championship game

turnover!

Dropping the comma after court is like a championship game

turnover!

Adding an unnecessary comma is like

grandstanding when a teammate is

open!

Adding an unnecessary comma is like

grandstanding when a teammate is

open!

The End.The End.