UNIT I

SELF-CHECK: LOCATING COMMON ERRORS

IN WRITING SENTENCES
 Read each statement carefully. Identify the term being mentioned in each item.
Find the beast answer in the box provided below. Write the answer on the space before
each number. Make use to write the answers in a uppercase format.

Comma fragments comma-splice subordinating conjunction

Run-on Polsyndeton revise fused sentence

Coordinating conjunction semi-colon period attach

1. A punctuation mark used to separate clauses in a sentence ______________

2. A way of correcting a sentence by means of changing the entire structure of
it. __________
3. A sentence containing irregular placement of punctuations and containing stuffy ideas is
called __________________.
4. A type of conjunction that joins together a words or clauses of equal grammatical rank
________________
5. _____________ is a type of sentence structure that cannot stand on its own.
6. __________________________ is a conjunction that create an extreme intimacy among
group of words in a sentence.
7. A common error in writing that commonly exist when a writer tries to separate sentences
by putting comma in between. ___________________
8. An excessive usage of conjunction in a sentence is what we call __________________.
9. A process when two main clauses are not being combined by punctuations are called
_____________.
10. _______________ is a punctuation mark used to create continuity of a sentence without
using any conjunctions.
SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

 Fragments are known as incomplete sentences. They are pieces of sentences that
are disconnected from the main clause. (Writing Lab, 2020)
 According to Writing Center (2019), it is a collection of words that merely looks
like a sentence but not a sentence at all.
 A type of sentence that cannot stand on its own. (Writing Center, 2019)

DISTINCT FEATURES OF SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Here are some of the eminent features that can be consider in locating fragmented sentences:

Has no subject

Example: Ran at the park as fast as a rabbit. *Who ran?

Has missing a verb or sometimes using wrong verb formation

Example: My favorite painter. *What does this painter do or say for the author to consider
him/her as one of the author‘s favorite?

Has a leftover phrase/s

Example: For better or for worse. *Not clearly stated what does this statement imply or
modify?

Has an abandoned clause

Example: My Best friend filed a divorce to his wife. *The statement did not give further action
after the act of filing a divorce. Simply connotes an incomplete thought and meaning.

Has misuse the terms “such as”, “for example”, and “especially”

Example: Such as, my sister experienced a huge trauma. *It is unclear, for the reason that is
there something happened while the speaker‘s sister experienced trauma.
TECHNIQUES IN MAKING A FRAGMENTED SENTENCE INTO A COMPLETE
SENTENCE

1. ATTACH- connect the fragmented sentence in a complete sentence

Example:

o INCORRECT: I forgot to bring my calculator. On the day of my College

Admission test. o CORRECT: I forgot to bring my calculator on the day
of my College Admission test.
o INCORRECT: If the front door is locked. Use the back door entrance.
o CORRECT: If the front door is locked, use the back door entrance.
2. REVISE- Fragmented sentences can be corrected if the author will fill-in the missing
part of speech (such as: verb, adjective, noun, etc.) or the complete thought.
Example: o INCORRECT: Loves to lie around under the sun all day. (There is no
subject mentioned in the sentence. *Who loves to lie under the sun all day?)
o CORRECT: My roommate‘s cat loves to lie around under the sun all day.
o INCORRECT: Francis to ride a bike every week. (There is a missing
verb in the sentence. The phrase ―to ride a bike‖ is a wrong form of verb
as well. *What does Francis do every week?)
o CORRECT: Francis rides a bike every week for the marathon next month.
3. REWRITE- Sentences with fragments can be changed entirely or paraphrased to form a
new and complete sentence/s.
Example:
o INCORRECT: Our new landlord was expected to make changes. Such as
fixing the plumbing, installing a new washer, and replacing the security
gate. Has not done any of it yet and weeks have passed.
o CORRECT: Our new landlord was expected to make changes, such as
fixing the plumbing, installing a new washer, and replacing the security
gate lock. Weeks have passed, and he still has not done any of it yet.
RUN-ON SENTENCES
 Sentences without proper punctuations and containing many ideas are called
Runon sentences.
 Run-on sentences do not usually follow syntax rules.

TYPES OF RUN-ON SENTENCES

There are varieties of run-on sentences that can be encountered while writing or reading a
text, so this part will provide the three common type of a run-on sentences.

 First is a comma splice. It usually occurs when the author used a comma instead of
semicolon to merge or to connect clauses that can stand alone.
 Next is a fused sentence. It is a type of sentence that do not usually use punctuations in
combining two main clauses.
 Lastly, a Polysyndeton. It refers to the excessive usage of conjunctions in a given
sentence.
COMMON TECHNIQUES IN CORRECTING A RUN-ON SENTENCES
1. USE PERIOD – Putting a period between two independent clauses is the easiest tool to
correct a run-on sentence. This method usually works in a lengthy sentence. However,
despite of its flexibility always take into consideration to avoid choppy sentences.
Revision example: I love to write stories. I would write one story every day if I had a
time.
2. USE SEMICOLON- A stylistic choice that establish a close connection towards two
sentences. Adding of semicolon generates a sentences become grammatically correct.
Revision example: I love to write stories; I would write one story every day if I had a
time.
3. USE COMMA AND COORDINATING CONJUNCTION- In correcting a run-on
sentence, the author may use comma accompanied with a coordinating conjunction
(e.g. ―and‖, ―but‖, or ―or‖) to give the two clauses more emphasis about their
relevance to each other.

Revision example: I love to write stories, and I would write one story every day if I had a
time.
4. USE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION- Using of subordinating conjunction (e.g.
―because‖, ―unless‖, and ―although‖) link clauses and creates complexity of
sentence. This method makes one independent clause to become a dependent clause
 and usually works to make the flow of the sentence better. It also strengthens the
relationship of two clauses.
Revision example: Because I love to write stories, I would write one story every day if I
had a time.
COMMA SPLICE
 Comma splice is the most common error writers commit in English.
 It usually happens when a writer likes to “write by ear”, and if the writer
thought that sentences might be separated or should have to pause that is
why they are putting comma on parts that are not necessary.
 A comma splice exists when two independent clauses where combined by
putting a comma.

WAYS ON HOW TO FIX A COMMA SPLICE

1. PUT A CONJUNCTION
 Writers may add conjunction to separate two independent clauses.
Conjunction should come right after the comma of the sentences.
Example: I am not angry with you, but I am not happy with you, either.

2. PLACE A SEMICOLON INSTEAD OF COMMA

 Writers may consider replacing comma into semicolon if putting
conjunctions will not work or suitable for the sentences.
 Putting semicolons give a strong connections or relevance to the two
independent clauses in the write-up.
 When using semicolon, always consider that the two independent clauses
have a close and logical connection with one another.
Example: I am not angry with you; I am not happy with you, either.

3. PUT PERIOD TO SEPARATE EACH SENTENCES

 Usage of period can be a useful tool to fix a comma splice. When insertion
of conjunction does not work well and when a writer felt that putting
semicolon gets too stuffy then making two independent clauses turn into
two different sentences is a good remedy as well.

Example: I am not angry with you. I am not happy with you, either.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF CORRECTING COMMA SPLICE

Correcting by Making Two Sentences

Error Correction
I love going to the movies, it's so fun. I love going to the movies. It's so fun.
She took the boy's cookies away, that was She took the boy's cookies away. That was
mean. mean.
The teacher was angry, the students were too The teacher was angry. The students were too
loud. loud.
I think he's in love, he acts so weird now. I think he's in love. He acts so weird now.
She was sad when the cat ran away, she She was sad when the cat ran away. She
doesn't want to get a new one. doesn't want to get a new one.
We went to the store, we bought milk. We went the to the store. We bought milk.
I often walk the dogs on the beach, they love I often walk the dogs on the beach. They love
splashing in the waves. splashing in the waves.
I can't wait to go on vacation, it will be hot I can't wait to go on vacation. It will be hot
and sunny. and sunny.
Correcting by Using Coordinating Conjunctions
Error Correction
I love going to the movies, it's so fun. I love going to the movies, for it's so fun.
She took the boy's cookies away, that was She took the boy's cookies away and that was
mean. mean.
The teacher was angry, the students were The teacher was angry, for the students were
too loud. too loud.
I think he's in love, he acts so weird now. I think he's in love, for he acts so weird now.
She was sad when the cat ran away, she She was sad when the cat ran away, but she
doesn't want to get a new one. doesn't want to get a new one.
We went to the store, we bought milk. We went the to the store and we bought milk.
I often walk the dogs on the beach, they love I often walk the dogs on the beach, for they love
splashing in the waves. splashing in the waves.
I can't wait to go on vacation, it will be hot I can't wait to go on vacation, for it will be hot
and sunny. and sunny.
 READ ME!
Read each paragraph carefully. Analyze the following sentences and identify the parts
which has an error. Correct the fragmented statement. Write the answers on a separate sheet,
and justify how did the said correction happened?

1. For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan
has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-
political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" being
all levels of government, and "quasi-political" churches, labor unions, large
professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a
very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

2. A president is an appointed leader. Someone who is a decision maker in the executive

branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is
capable. Just hopefully assumes. Assumes through his past record as a politician, over the
years' buildup of experience and handling situations.

3. For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's
children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans feel they
are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found
that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower
on the ladder. Adding worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next
five years.

CORRECT ME, IF I‘M WRONG

Analyze the paragraph intently. Identify the common errors that the said piece
commited. Rewrite the entire paragrapgh providing the necessarry corrections that is needed
(such as capitalization, punctuation marks, conjuctions, etc.) to complete the sentence. Write
the answer on a separate sheet, together with the justification of the output.

1. my brother was always my best friend when I was a child especially as we two were
almost alone in the world we lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack,
in the country whenever I think of him now I see a solemn, responsible boy a boy too old for
his years who looked out for me no matter what once there was a bully John Anson who
looked enormous to me though he was probably an average twelve-year-old John had it in for
me because he liked Littice Grant who liked me he decided to beat me up right before her
eyes I was lucky my brother came by he didn't interfere any he just stood there somehow
though his presence gave me confidence I kicked the stuffing out of John Anson if my
brother hadn't been there I don't think I could have done it.

REFERENCES

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2020). Sentence Fragments Index.

PurdueOnlineWritingLab.https://owl.purdue.edu/owl_exercises/sentence_structure/sentec
_fragments/index.html

Walden University. (2020). Grammar: Run-on and Sentence

Fragments. Walden
University.https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences#:
~:text=A%20run%2Don%20sentence%20occurs,I%20love%20to%20write%20papers.