Sentence Errors: Fragments, Run ons and Comma-splice errors

What are these tricky types of errors that are so common in written English?

1) A fragment is an incomplete sentence- it is missing either its subject or its verb, or does not express a complete idea.

EXAMPLES: Is beautiful today. Because the temperature has risen slightly. (Both fragments! Can you see what is missing in each?)

For more information about fragment errors (and how to avoid them)  from Chomp Chomp, click here.


 

For practice finding and fixing fragments errors, try these, from the Purdue Owl, Chomp Chomp, and other popular grammar/writing sites:

• Practice One (finding fragments)
• Practice Two (fragment or not?)

2) A run-on is when two or more sentences (or "independent clauses" are put together without proper division (no conjunction, period, or semicolon).

EXAMPLE: It is a beautiful today because the temperature has risen slightly finally it isn't snowing and icy outside. (This is a run on- can you find where there should be a period?)

For more information about run on errors (and how to avoid them) from Chomp Chomp, click here.

For practice finding and fixing run-on errors, try these, from the Purdue Owl, Bristol University, and other popular grammar/writing sites:

• Practice One (Is it correct or a run-on?)
• Practice Two (Are they correct or run on errors?)
• Practice Three (Fix the run-on error)

3) A comma-splice error is like a run on...except here, a comma is "trying to do the job of a period" and divide the independent clauses all by itself. (NOTE: it can't!)

EXAMPLE: It is a beautiful today, the temperature has risen slightly finally, it isn't snowing and icy outside. (This contains two comma splice errors! YIKES!)

For more information about comma-splice errors (and how to avoid them)  from the Purdue Owl, click here.

For practice finding and fixing comma-splice errors, try these, from the Purdue Owl, Bristol University, and other popular grammar/writing sites:

• Practice One (correct...or comma splice error?)
• Khan Academy short practice
• Printable practice from Suffolk University
  

If you are now ready to try to practice with all three types of sentence errors... try these:

Practice (challenging!)