SENTENCE FAULTS:

Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Sentence Fragments

Clause: group of words with a subject and verb.
Ex: students attend college
Independent clause: a clause that can stand alone as a full sentence.
Ex: Students attend college.
Dependent clause: a clause that cannot stand alone because it contains a subordinating conjunction.
Ex: While students attend college
Phrase: group of words lacking a subject and/or verb.
Ex: attending college
Comma splice: two sentences/independent clauses joined ONLY by a comma.
Ex: It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.
Fused sentence: two sentences/independent clauses joined by nothing.
Ex: It’s not just a job it’s an adventure.
Five ways to correct a comma splice or fused sentence:
1. Separate the two independent clauses with a period and capital letter:
It’s not just a job. It’s an adventure.
2. Link the clauses with a comma AND a coordinating conjunction:
It’s not just a job, because it’s also an adventure.
3. Link the clauses with a semicolon:
It’s not just a job; it’s an adventure.
4. Make the two clauses into ONE independent clause:
It’s both a job and an adventure.
5. Make one clause DEPENDENT by using a subordinating conjunction:
It’s not just a job, since it’s also an adventure.
Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet (exactly 7)
Subordinating conjunctions: [include] after, although, as, because, before, if, since, so that, that, unless, until, what, when, where, whether, which, while, who
Sentence fragment: an incomplete sentence that is punctuated like a sentence
Common types of sentence fragments:
1. Dependent clause fragment
Ex: When he decided to work part-time. He gave up some earning potential.
Methods of correcting a dependent clause fragment:
1. Attach the dependent clause to a nearby independent clause.
2. Delete the subordinating conjunction.
3. Rewrite the whole passage.
2. Phrase fragments
Exs: He wanted to make a point. To prove to everyone that he was capable. (infinitive phrase)
She worked hard every day. Trying to keep up with her boss’s demands. (-ing participle phrase)
Steve talked for hours. Elated by the company’s success.
(past participle phrase)
They kept dialing the boss’s phone number. With no luck.
(prepositional phrase)
The prize was awarded to Sheila. The best worker in the company. (appositive phrase)
Joan Didion has written on many subjects. Such as the Hoover Dam. (frags beginning with a transitional phrase, or ‘added detail’ fragments)

Methods of correcting a phrase fragment:
1. Attach the phrase to a nearby independent clause.
2. Change the phrase to an independent clause.
3. Rewrite the whole passage.
3. Phrases missing a subject
Ex: They sold their house. And moved into an apartment.