Sentence Problems
Comma Splices
A comma splice is inserting a comma between two independent clauses
without a conjunction.
Incorrect: I like Warren,
he is very funny. (commas alone cannot join
independent clauses without a conjunction)
Correct: I like Warren.
He is very funny.
I like Warren;
he is very funny.
I like Warren
because
he is very funny.
Fused/Run-On Sentences
A fused sentence is two or more independent clauses not separated by punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence.
Incorrect: My sister has a lot of experience I've learned a lot from her.
(two independent clauses are stuck together without any
connection)
Correct: My sister has a lot of experience. I've
learned a lot from her.
My sister has a lot of experience; I've learned a lot
from her.
My sister has a lot of experience, and I've learned a
lot from her.
Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments are dependent clauses or phrases used as sentences.
Incorrect:
While
I was talking to BJ
about what Jacob said to her. (this is a
dependent clause which cannot
stand alone)
Correct: While I was talking to BJ about what
Jacob said to her, Jacob snuck up
behind us, scaring us half to death.
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