Excerpt from The Hub: A Place for Reading and Writing · 2019. 3. 6. · 19.8 Activity: Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices In activity 19.7, you learned to recognize run-ons and

Copyright © Bedford/St. Martin's. Uncorrected proofs have been used in this sample. Distributed by Bedford/St. Martin's. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.

Topic 19: REDUCING ERROR Punctuating to Avoid Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices

19.4 Activity: Fragments A fragment is usually considered a serious grammatical mistake.

The following pairs of items are labeled as either fragments or sentences, with the

fragments printed in red. In activity 18.3, you learned what a sentence is. Now, working in

your group, study each of these paired examples and then write a definition of the term

“fragment.”

Fragment: When I saw the damage to my car.

Sentence: I saw the damage to my car.

Fragment:The math test I had been studying for.

Sentence: I had been studying for a math test.

Fragment: For example, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus.

Sentence: I love vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus.

Excerpt from The Hub: A Place for Reading and Writing

As you review this content, keep in mind that what you are seeing is manuscript. It has not yet been

copyedited or illustrated. Additionally, bear in mind that this will be accessed, for many students and

instructors, in our powerful new online platform, Achieve.


Fragment: Because Andrew was late for class.

Sentence: Because Andrew was late for class, he had to sit in the front row.

Fragment: That woman wearing a purple sweater.

Sentence: The woman wearing a purple sweater is my psychology teacher.

Definition of “fragment”: _________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

19.5 Activity: Correcting Fragments The following items include fragments. There are usually several ways to correct a

fragment. Working in groups, first identify and underline any fragments in each item and

then revise the item so that the fragment is eliminated.

1. When I learned Liz was going to be late. I was furious. She has not been on time for a

single meeting this year.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. The fact that Judith was promoted. Made me determined to work even harder this year. I

am going to get the same kind of promotion if I can.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3. The woman who rode to work on her bike and changed clothes in the women's room. She

turned out to be a friend of Carolyn's. Now she drives a BMW to work every day.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________


19.6 Activity: What is an Independent Clause? In the following sentences, the independent clauses have been underlined.

Working in groups, use what you have already learned about sentences to study the

following sentences and figure out what an independent clause is. Working together as a

group, write a one paragraph definition of an independent clause. Then write another

paragraph that explains the difference between an independent clause and a sentence.

1. The phone rang, and my dog started barking.

2. When it rains, my knees ache.

3. Javier tried to solve the puzzle.

4. Kristen laughed out loud when she heard the news about Craig.

5. Mark graduates in June, and his sister graduates next year.

6. Because of the snow, the parade was cancelled.

7. Sarah is buying a new car this afternoon.

8. Riding a bicycle in the city can be dangerous.

9. Charlene made a salad, and Corey roasted a chicken.

10. If Sarah comes to class tomorrow, I will invite her to the party

19.7 Activity: Run-Ons and Comma Splices Run-ons and comma splices are serious errors that many teachers find very problematic. In

this unit, you will learn to recognize these two errors. In activity 19.8, you will learn how to

correct them.

In the following groups of sentences, the versions that are run-ons and comma splices

are printed in red. The correct version of each sentence is printed in black. Working in your


group, study these examples. Then, as a group, write a definition of a run-on and a comma

splice.

Group 1

Run-on I used to live in Seattle I worked at Boeing.

Comma Splice I used to live in Seattle, I worked at Boeing.

Correct I used to live in Seattle. I worked at Boeing.

Group 2

Run-on Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word he was angry

at the decision the group had made.

Comma Splice Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word, he was angry


Correct Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word. He was

angry at the decision the group had made.

Definition of a run-on: ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Definition of a comma splice: _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

19.8 Activity: Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices In activity 19.7, you learned to recognize run-ons and comma splices within four groups of

sentences. In this activity, you will learn how to correct them.

Each of the following groups of sentences begins with a run-on and then a comma


splice. These errors, shown in red, are followed by five correct sentences representing a

variety of methods to correct run-ons and comma splices. There are more ways for correcting

these errors, but the ones here should give you an idea of the range of options.

Working in your group, make a list of at least five ways to correct run-ons and

comma splices. Then see if you can think of one or two additional ways to do so.

Group 1

Run-on I lived in Seattle in 2008 I worked at Boeing.

Comma Splice I lived in Seattle in 2008, I worked at Boeing.

Correct I lived in Seattle in 2008. I worked at Boeing.

Correct I lived in Seattle in 2008; I worked at Boeing.

Correct When I lived in Seattle in 2008, I worked at Boeing.

Correct While living in Seattle in 2008, I worked at Boeing.

Correct I lived in Seattle in 2008; at that time, I worked at Boeing.

Group 2

Run-on Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word he was angry


Comma Splice Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word, he was angry


Correct Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word. He was angry


Correct Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word; he was angry



Correct Matt walked out of the meeting without saying a word because he

was angry at the decision the group had made.

Correct Angry at the decision the group had made, Matt walked out of the

meeting without saying a word.

Correct Matt was angry at the decision the group had made; as a result, he

walked out of the meeting without saying a word.

Ways to Correct Run-Ons and Comma Splices

1. _______________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________________

19.9 Activity: Correcting Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices In activity 19.5, you learned to correct fragments, and in activity 19.8, you learned to correct

run-ons and comma splices. In this activity, you will put all that you learned together. In the

following sentences, correct all the errors, which include fragments, run-ons, and comma

splices.

1. I am getting a blister on my thumb, I will have to quit playing soon.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. When she made a chocolate cake for my mother. She forgot to add any sugar.


________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

3. The man wearing a plaid jacket. He is my math teacher.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

4. When Aryelle opened the newspaper. She saw a picture of her old boyfriend.

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

5. There was no money in my account, the bank honored my check anyway.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

19.10 Activity: Punctuating Independent Clauses 1 In the following pairs of items, the sentence in black is correct, and the sentence in red has an

error. Study these sentences and figure out which grammar rule they demonstrate.

Pair 1

Tom lives in Overlea, and his brother lives in Parkville.

Tom lives in Overlea and his brother lives in Parkville.

Pair 2

Drew bought a laptop, but he has not learned how to use it.

Drew bought a laptop but he has not learned how to use it.

Pair 3

Kyesha went to the ocean, and it rained every day.


Kyesha went to the ocean and it rained every day.

Pair 4

Maria works at a bakery, but she is looking for a second job.

Maria works at a bakery but she is looking for a second job.

Rule: ____________________________________________________________________

19.16 Activity: Editing for Punctuation 1 Proofread the following essay and correct any errors you find. These errors will be in the

following categories:

Fragments

Run-on sentences

Comma Splices

Errors punctuating two independent clauses joined by “and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” “so,”

“yet,” or “nor.”

In some cases, you will be able to correct errors by simply adding or deleting punctuation; in

other cases, especially when editing fragments, you may need to do a little re-wording of the

sentence.

Anticipation Can Kill the Moment

I don’t remember my last day of college. It’s an odd thing to admit that I don’t

remember such a major milestone in my life but there it is. I don’t recall any tearful goodbyes

to my favorite professors. Any solemn “see you laters” to my friends and classmates. The

whole day is a blank. All the celebration and sadness that I would imagine happened is

simply missing from my memory.

Excerpt from The Hub: A Place for Reading and Writing · 2019. 3. 6. · 19.8 Activity: Correcting Run-Ons and Comma Splices In activity 19.7, you learned to recognize run-ons and

Documents