Fragments, Splices, and Run-Ons
I. What is a fragment?
A fragment is an incomplete thought which cannot stand alone. To fix a fragment, you may- attach the fragment to a complete thought, or
- eliminate the subordinator.
| Incorrect | Correct | |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1 | If there is some coffee. | If there is some coffee, I would like a cup. |
| Example 2 | Because he needed a car. | He needed a car. |
II. What is a comma splice?
A comma splice is a sentence containing two complete thoughts joined together by a
comma (without a conjunction). For correct punctuation, note the following pattern:
Complete thought [, and] complete thought.
If you have a comma and no conjunction, you have a comma splice.
| Incorrect | Correct | |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1 | Sara was hungry, she ate an apple. | Sara was hungry, so she ate an apple. |
| Example 2 | Larry likes Sue, Sue likes Larry. | Larry likes Sue, and Sue likes Larry. |
III. What is a run-on?
A run-on is a sentence containing two complete thoughts joined together by a conjunction
only (without a comma). For correct punctuation, note the following pattern:
Complete thought [, and] complete thought.
If you have a conjunction and no comma, you have a run-on.
| Example 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect | Minh did not understand our language and he was unfamiliar with our customs. | |
| Correct | Minh did not understand our language, and he was unfamiliar with our customs. | |
| Example 2 | ||
| Incorrect | Larry likes to swim and he does it frequently throughout the week. | |
| Correct | Larry likes to swim, and he does it frequently throughout the week. | |
Comma splice and fragment errors are serious punctuation problems; however, run-on errors are so common that often they are not marked by instructors.
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