Grammar Boot Camp

Obstacle Course:
Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices
(click mouse to proceed)
Your Mission:
 To Study Fragments
 To Study Run-ons
 To Study Comma Splices
 To Exercise your Writing Muscles

This presentation is enhanced with “Question

and Answer” slides. To access, simply click
on the words that are highlighted and
underlined.
What is a Fragment?
 A sentence fragment is an incomplete
thought.
 Choose one of the following options to
correct a fragment:
1. Connect the fragment to the sentence before
it, or
2. Connect the fragment to the sentence after
it, or
3. Rewrite the fragment so that it is a complete
thought.
Fragments
Dependent Clause Fragment: Begins with a
subordinating conjunction or a relative
pronoun.

 Fragment: When it is time to go home.

 Correction: When it is time to go home, I
will call you.
Fragments
“-ing” Fragment: Begins with a word ending in
“-ing.”

 Fragment: Waiting for the rain to stop.

 Correction: Waiting for the rain to stop,
the pedestrian sought refuge
in the corner café.
Fragments
“To” Fragment: Begins with the word “to.”

 Fragment: To do my best.
 Correction: My grandfather taught me to
do my best.
Fragments
Added-Detail Fragment: Begins with “for
example,” “such as,” “especially,” and similar
transitions.

 Fragment: Especially when the

vegetables are fresh.
 Correction: I enjoy salads, especially
when the vegetables are
fresh.
What is a Run-on?
 A run-on contains two more independent
clauses without punctuation signaling the end
of the first clause and the beginning of the
next clause.
 Example: Many dogs enter the contest the
poodle is the usual winner.
What is a Comma Splice?
 A comma splice is a sentence with two or
more independent clauses joined by only a
comma.
 Example: The book is inspirational, it
changed my life.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

1. Make Two Separate Sentences:

 Run-on: John mowed the lawn Alex raked

the leaves.
 Comma Splice: John mowed the lawn, Alex raked
the leaves.
 Correction: John mowed the lawn. Alex raked
the leaves.
 Correction: John mowed the lawn, and Alex
raked the leaves.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

2. Use Comma Plus Coordinating Conjunction:

 Run-on: Julie is not my sister she is my

cousin.
 Comma Splice: Julie is not my sister, she is my
cousin.
 Correction: Julie is not my sister, but she is my
cousin.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

3. Use Semicolon to Connect the Sentences:

 Run-on: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful it

had multicolor stripes.
 Comma Splice: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful,
it had multicolor stripes.
 Correction: The clown’s jumpsuit was colorful;
it had multicolor stripes.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

4. Use a Conjunctive Adverb with Appropriate

Punctuation:
 Run-on: We joined the group for dinner we
did not go to the concert afterward.
 Comma Splice: We joined the group for dinner, we
did not go to the concert afterward.
 Correction A: We joined the group for dinner;
however, we did not go to the
concert afterward.
 Correction B: We joined the group for dinner.
However, we did not go to the
concert afterward.
Correct Run-ons and Comma Splices:

5. Use Subordination:
 Run-on: The mother cat cleaned her
kittens they began to cry.
 Comma Splice: The mother cat cleaned her
kittens, they began to cry.
 Correction A: The mother cat cleaned her
kittens when they began to cry.
 Correction B: When they began to cry, the mother
cat cleaned her kittens.
Exercise Your Muscles:
Identify whether the following items contain
either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice:

1. Although he had promised that he would.

2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where
the lecture is being given.
3. Making it impossible for us to see the road.
4. I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre
Island it gives me a sense of peace.
Answer key:
Identify whether the following items contain
either a fragment, run-on, or comma splice:
1. Although he had promised that he would.
Fragment
2. Here comes Mr. Timmons, he’ll tell us where
the lecture is being given. Comma splice
3. Making it impossible for us to see the road.
fragment
4. I love to relax on the sandy shore of Padre
Island it gives me a sense of peace. Run-on
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed Obstacle
Course: Fragments, Run-ons and
Comma Splices of Grammar Boot Camp.

Sign up for the other sessions of Grammar Boot

Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website:
http://www.delmar.edu/engl/wrtctr.