Fragments & Comma Splices

Sentence FragmentsComplete sentences consist of an independent clause

(can stand alone) that includes a subject and a verb.

A sentence fragment is missing a subject, a complete verb (verb + helping verb), or necessary articles, or begins with a conjunction.

Test for a fragmentStep 1: Does the clause have a subject?

No: it is a fragmentYes: Go to step 2

Step 2: Does the clause have a verb?No: it is a fragmentYes: Go to step 3

Step 3: Does the clause begin with a subordinating conjunction or preposition?

No: You have a complete sentence.Yes: The clause is a fragment.

Examples:

I fell off the curb. On my way to the store.

Student falls off ladder.

Although he fell off the ladder.

Repair fragments by

Attaching the fragment to a nearby sentence or making the fragment a complete sentence.

I fell off the curb on my way to the store. I fell off the curb. I was on my way to the store.

OR Adding whatever the phrase/clause is missing.

Student falls off ladder = A student fell of a ladder.Although he fell off the ladder = Although he fell off

the ladder, he didn’t get hurt.

Comma SpliceA comma splice occurs when two or more independent

clauses (can stand alone) are incorrectly joined by a comma.

Splice:We have a code orange smog alert today, the air is

unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Repair comma splices by Adding a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, etc.)

We have a code orange smog alert today, so the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

OR Using a semicolon or period to make the clauses separate

sentences.

We have a code orange smog alert today; the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

We have a code orange smog alert today. The air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Be careful with however, therefore, thus, hence, etc.; these are not coordinating conjunctions.

We have a code orange smog alert today,therefore the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. (comma splice)

We have a code orange smog alert today, however, healthy people are not at risk. (comma splice)

Fused Sentence

A fused sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (can stand alone) are joined by NO punctuation.

Fused:We have a code orange smog alert today the air is

unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Fix a fused sentence using the same techniques used to fix comma splices.

Practice

We went to the mall however we didn’t buy anything.

John built a shed out back he did it by himself.