DANIEL PRESTON JULY 13, 2010

  Strengths:  Identifying and repairing fragments   Identifying and Fixing Run-Ons Repairing Incorrect Comma usage Things to work on:  Irregular verb usage   The Semi-colon (;) Subject – Verb agreement

  Strengths:  Identifying and repairing fragments  Repairing Incorrect Comma usage Things to work on:  Irregular verb usage   The Semi-colon (;) Subject – Verb agreement

Fragments & Run-On Sentences

 What are the necessary parts of a complete sentence?

 Subject & Verb  At least one independent clause

  An

independent clause

has a subject and a verb and can stand alone.

A

dependent clause

transitional words or phrases such as because or when and is supported by the remainder of the sentence around it.

often begins with

 Ask yourself:  Is there a verb? If there is, then  Is there a subject? If yes, then  Is the word group an independent clause? (not beginning with words like because or when?) 

IT IS A SENTENCE.

 If a word group fails any of these tests, it is a fragment.

 Commands are sentences that imply the subject you, and provide an action to be done. Verbs are usually in the present tense. These are considered complete sentences.

 Run to the store.

 Do as I ask.

 Once you have identified a word grouping as a fragment, try one of these solutions:  Rewrite the fragment as a complete sentence.

 Connect the fragment to a nearby sentence.

 If lists are involved, you can often connect with a colon or a dash.

 If you were to summarize your experiences here so far in a 30 sec spot. What details would you include?

 Listening to the CD her sister had sent, Mia was overcome with a mix of emotions. Happiness, homesickness, nostalgia.

 Listening to the CD her sister had sent, Mia was overcome with a mix of emotions : h appiness, homesickness, nostalgia.

 Cortes and his soldiers were astonished when they looked down from the mountains and saw Tenochtilan. The magnificent capital of the Aztecs.

 Cortes and his soldiers were astonished when they looked down from the mountains and saw Tenochtilan , t he magnificent capital of the Aztecs.

 Although my spoken Spanish is not very good, I can read the language with ease.

 To learn to sculpt beauty from everyday life. This is my intention in studying art and archeology.

 There are several reasons for not eating meat. One reason being that dangerous chemicals are used throughout the various stages of meat production.

  An

independent clause

has a subject and a verb and can stand alone.

A

dependent clause

transitional words or phrases such as because or when and is supported by the remainder of the sentence around it.

often begins with

  FUSED SENTENCES  Two or more independent clauses with no punctuation or coordinating conjunction between them.

COMMA SPLICES   Two or more independent clauses separated by a comma with no coordinating conjunction between them.

Two or more independent clauses separated by a comma but is joined by a word that is not a coordinating conjunction

 There are only seven coordinating conjunctions in English. They are:  And       But Or Nor For So Yet

 There are only seven coordinating conjunctions in English. They are:  And       But Or Nor For So Yet

  Does the sentence contain two independent clauses?

If so, ask yourself:  Are the clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction? (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)  Are the clauses joined with a semicolon? (;) 

IT IS NOT A RUN –ON SENTENCE.

 If a word group fails any of these tests, it is a run-on, and should be revised.

 Once you have identified a word grouping as a run-on, try one of these solutions:  Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

   Use a semicolon (;) either by itself or with a transitional expression (however, therefore). Separate the clauses into their own sentences.

Restructure the sentence usually by making one of the clauses subordinate (dependent).

   A semicolon is used to join two closely related independent clauses whose relationship can be understood without a coordinating conjunction.

A semicolon can be used alone or accompanied by a transitional expression (however, therefore,

moreover, in fact, for example)

If a transitional expression is used to link independent clauses, a semicolon is required.

 The paramedic asked where I was hurt, as soon as I told him, he cut up the leg of my favorite pair of jeans.

 The paramedic asked where I was hurt, as I told him, he cut up the leg of my favorite pair of jeans.

and as soon

 Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with the fact of death, comedy depicts the adaptability of human society.

 Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with the fact of death ; comedy depicts the adaptability of human society.

 Handheld PDAs are gaining in popularity, however, they are not nearly as popular as cell phones.

 Handheld PDAs are gaining in popularity ; however, they are not nearly as popular as cell phones.

 Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration, we have enough unfunded programs here on Earth.

 Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration ? W e have enough unfunded programs here on Earth.

 One of the most famous advertising slogans is Wheaties cereal’s “Breakfast of Champions,” it was penned in 1933.

 One of the most famous advertising slogans is Wheaties cereal’s “Breakfast of Champions,” which was penned in 1933.