Run-Ons and Fragments
Gramatically Complete Sentences
Subject and a verb
Verb = action
Subject = noun
Eg. I think.
Eg. Rap expresses the frustrations of Blackamericans
Sentence Fragments
All sentences should have a subject and predicate
If it lacks one of these it’s a sentence fragment
Ing problem
Which problem
Eg. Today was awesome. Learned a lot in class - who learned a lot in class?
Eg. Today was awesome. I learned a lot in class. - correct
How to Fix Sentence Fragments
Do NOT start a sentence with “which”
100% of the time it’s incorrect
If you do see the word which at the start of the sentence, place a comma
Eg. I decided to eat sushi from McDonald’s last night. Which was a bad idea
Eg. I decided to eat sushi from McDonalds last night, which was a bad idea
Watch out for sentences that start with -ing
If it starts with -ing it’s POSSIBLY wrong (80%)
Eg. I love being a chef. Making cookies, in particular is a fun activity - correct
Eg. Kendrick Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize in music in 2018 for his album DAMN. Making him the first rapper to ever receive this prestigious award - incorrect
Run-on Sentence
Has multiple subjects and predicate pairs without proper punctuations in order to separate the two
Punctuation problem, not a length problem
Eg. ON the one hand, the modes of appearance of vernacular realities in the novel’s Anglophone discourse, signify attempts to variously harness linguistic, cultural, and social inequality and heterogeneity through “ethnicized” assimilation that gets recorded and reeproduced as linguistic diversity, in the interests of a global cultural system in which the regional Anglophone elite now wishes to participate on equal terms” (Mufti 172).
Technically this is NOT a run on sentence because there is proper punctuation
Eg. Today was awesome I learned a lot in class - INCORRECT
Types of Run-On Sentences
Comma Splices
Type of run on sentence
Used instead of a period to separate the run on sentences which IS NOT correct
How to Fix Run-On Sentences
Add a comma and coordinating conjunction
FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Choose the appropriate conjunction based on what you’re trying to say
Eg. Today was awwesome I learned a lot in class - INCORRECT
Eg. Today was awesome, for I learned a lot in class - CORRECT
Add a subordinating conjunctions
Because, whole. since, although
Turns a clause into an independent clause
Don’t need a comma, JUST the word
Eg. Today was aweosme I learnred a lot in class - INCORRECT
Eg. Today was awesome because I learned a lot in class - CORRECT
Add a semi-colon between the two clauses
Separates TWO independent complete sentences
Much more specific and indicates a relationship unlike the semicolon
Eg. Today was awesome I learned a lot in class - INCORRECT whether there’s a comma or not
Eg. Today was awesome; I learned a lot in class - CORRECT
Add a colon between the two clauses
Separates two sentences IF the sentence is an explanation/definition
Harder to use
Eg. Today was awesome I learned a lot in class - INCORRECT
Eg. Today was awesome: I learned a lot in class - CORRECT
Add a period between the two sentences - Easiest
Eg. Today was awesome I learned a lot in class - INCORRECT
Eg. Today was awesome. I learned a lot in class. - CORRECT
The word “however”
If this exists in the MIDDLE of your sentece, it’s probably a run on and needs to be fixed
Eg. Both rap and country music lyrics often outline violent practices or dangerous topics however, studies show that rap music is still perceived as more violent - INCORRECT
Eg. Both rap and country music lyrics often outline violent practices or dangerous topics; however, studies show that rap music is still eprceived as more violent - CORRECT
Can even do a period, it’s up to you
Note: Just because a sentence is super wordy, does not mean that you need to revise necessarily. Make sure you understand the difference between run-on sentences and merely length