Avoiding run-on sentences and sentence fragments is crucial for clear writing. These common errors can confuse readers and weaken your message. By understanding how to identify and fix them, you'll improve your writing's clarity and impact.

Mastering proper sentence structure is a key skill in English grammar. Run-ons and fragments are easy mistakes to make, but with practice, you can learn to spot and correct them. This will help you communicate more effectively in all your writing.

Run-on Sentences

Types of Run-on Sentences

• Run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or connecting words
• Comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma, lacking a coordinating conjunction
• Fused sentence combines two independent clauses without any punctuation or connecting words between them
• Independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence
• Coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance
• Semicolon functions as a strong comma to separate closely related independent clauses

Identifying and Correcting Run-on Sentences

• Recognize run-on sentences by identifying multiple independent clauses improperly connected
• Correct comma splices by adding a coordinating conjunction after the comma (I love coffee, and I drink it every morning)
• Fix fused sentences by separating independent clauses with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction (I'm tired; I need to sleep)
• Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (She's an excellent writer; her novels are bestsellers)
• Add a subordinating conjunction to create a complex sentence (Because I'm tired, I need to sleep)
• Employ a conjunctive adverb with proper punctuation to link independent clauses (I'm tired; therefore, I need to sleep)

Common Mistakes and Prevention

• Avoid mistaking long sentences for run-ons, as length doesn't determine correctness
• Be cautious with compound predicates, which don't require comma or semicolon (She sang and danced)
• Watch for subtle run-ons in dialogue or informal writing (He said he was coming I don't believe him)
• Practice identifying subject-verb pairs to recognize independent clauses more easily
• Use coordinating conjunctions sparingly to prevent overuse and maintain sentence variety
• Remember that dependent clauses cannot stand alone and require connection to an independent clause

Sentence Fragments

Understanding Sentence Fragments

• Sentence fragment lacks essential components to form a complete thought
• Independent clause contains a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete idea
• Dependent clause includes a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
• Subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause, connecting it to an independent clause

Types of Sentence Fragments

• Lacking a subject fragment omits the doer of the action (Went to the store)
• Missing a verb fragment fails to express an action or state of being (The cat on the windowsill)
• Dependent clause fragment stands alone without an independent clause (Because it was raining)
• Participle phrase fragment uses a verb form as an adjective without a main clause (Running through the park)
• Infinitive phrase fragment begins with "to" followed by a verb's base form (To finish the project on time)

Correcting Sentence Fragments

• Add a subject to fragments lacking one (She went to the store)
• Include a verb in fragments missing an action or state of being (The cat sits on the windowsill)
• Combine dependent clauses with independent clauses (Because it was raining, we stayed indoors)
• Attach participle phrases to complete sentences (Running through the park, I saw my friend)
• Connect infinitive phrases to main clauses (To finish the project on time, we worked overtime)
• Use coordinating conjunctions to join related fragments into complete sentences (I love coffee, and I drink it every morning)
• Employ subordinating conjunctions to create complex sentences from fragments (Although it was late, we continued working)

Conjunctions and Punctuation

Types and Uses of Conjunctions

• Coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
• Subordinating conjunction introduces dependent clauses, linking them to independent clauses (because, although, if, when, while)
• Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect sentence elements (either...or, neither...nor, both...and, not only...but also)
• Conjunctive adverb transitions between independent clauses, showing relationships (however, therefore, moreover, consequently)

Punctuation Rules for Conjunctions

• Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses (I studied hard, and I passed the exam)
• Omit the comma when coordinating conjunctions join words or phrases (She likes apples and oranges)
• Place a comma after a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence (Although it was raining, we went for a walk)
• Avoid using a comma when the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence (We went for a walk although it was raining)
• Employ a semicolon before and a comma after conjunctive adverbs joining independent clauses (She was late; however, she apologized)

Advanced Conjunction and Punctuation Techniques

• Use semicolons to separate items in a complex list containing internal commas (We visited Paris, France; London, England; and Rome, Italy)
• Employ em dashes for emphasis or to set off parenthetical information (She loved three things — reading, writing, and arithmetic)
• Utilize colons to introduce lists or explanations following independent clauses (He needed three items: a pen, paper, and an envelope)
• Incorporate parentheses for supplementary information that can be removed without altering the sentence structure (The concert (which lasted for hours) was spectacular)
• Apply the Oxford comma in lists of three or more items for clarity (I bought apples, oranges, and bananas)
• Combine different types of conjunctions to create varied and complex sentence structures (Although it was raining, we went for a walk, but we brought umbrellas)