Sentence Errors

⊹ Adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon

 SEntence
1 Reviewing what is so familiar
“ “It's strange how a word, a
phrase, a sentence, can feel like
a blow to the head.”
- Veronica Roth, Allegiant

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 A sentence must have:

a subject
a verb
a complete thought

If a group of words is missing any of these components,

it is not a real sentence.
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Are long sentences better than short ones?

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A sentence can be short or long; it just depends on what idea the
sentence is intended to convey.
I ran.

I ran down the long, dark hallway, dodging

stacks of building materials as I went, and burst
through the fire exit, disoriented and exhausted,
blinded by the sudden shot of sunlight, but
emboldened by what I had just witnessed.

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 we know that...
ü In the first sentence, “I” is the subject, and “ran” is the verb. If all the
writer wants the reader to know is that the subject ran, these two words
are sufficient make up a complete thought.

ü In the second sentence, “I” is still the subject, and “ran” is still the verb.
However, the point of this sentence is to convey a very specific image.
Therefore, this sentence requires more than just the subject and the verb
to complete the thought. Everything that follows the word “ran”
contributes to the completion of the idea the sentence is intended to
convey.
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 error 1: fragment
2 Revisiting what is known
 a fragment is not a true sentence, though it is
capitalized and punctuated as if it were a sentence

If there are no more malpractice suits, the hospital will

win its license renewal. However, no one can be sure of
the hospital’s future. Because patients are very quick to
go to court.

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§ The first sentence is fine, but the third sentence is
a fragment despite the subject “patients” and the
verb “are.”

§ The word “because” creates an expectation for

some sort of effect, but the sentence stops short of
fulfilling that expectation.

§ Therefore, the third sentence does not convey a

complete thought.

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Wait, Is that a fragment?
A group of words can contain a noun that looks like a subject and a verb
and still be a fragment:

Local agencies will become overcrowded and ineffective. Unless the

number of mental health services is increased.

“Number” is a noun in what could be the subject slot, and “is” is a verb, but
the word “unless” creates an expectation that the sentence does not fulfill:
The number of mental health services will be increased, or what? This
sentence does not contain a complete thought.
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• Fragments typically occur when an incomplete sentence is forced to
stand on its own. They often begin with subordinating conjunctions
(although, while, as, since, though, if, before, etc.) and leave the reader
dangling.

• In some cases they are simply missing a subject or a predicate.

⊹ Example: Since we always eat at In ‘N’ Out.

• In this example, “we always eat at In ‘N’ Out” is a complete sentence.

Here, however, the addition of the word makes the sentence
incomplete; the reader is left wondering: “Since this, then what?”

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• This common sentence error can be corrected by extending the sentence
to provide the missing “then what.” The original fragment can be placed
at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Example: Since we always eat at In ‘N’ Out, we know their secret menu.

Example: We know In ‘N’ Out’s secret menu since we always eat there.

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• Fragments also happen when a sentence lacks either the subject
or the full predicate. This often happens when sentences start
with coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. This
is fine, but the sentence still needs both the subject and the
predicate.

Example: They prefer Burger King. And go there often.

• In this example, “And go there often” is a fragment. There is no

subject – no person, place, or thing – that does the “going.”
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remember!
• To correct this common sentence error, link the fragment to the
previous sentence—together they express a complete thought—
or add the subject to the second sentence.

Example: They prefer Burger King, and go there often.

Example: They prefer Burger King. They go there often

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Remember!
Ways of correcting fragments
1. Fragment that is missing a subject or a verb.
Ex: The books on the shelf
The books are sitting on the shelf. (verb)

2. Fragment that is missing object or complement.

Ex: The poor feel
The poor feel helpless. (Complement)

Henry wants
Henry wants that bag. (direct object)
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 Remember!
Ways of correcting fragments
3. Fragment that begins with a preposition
Ex: In the kitchen next to the stove
I am sure I placed my phone in the kitchen next to the stove.

4. Fragment that begins with gerund.

Ex: Expressing myself through writing
Expressing myself through writing helps me a lot with my
anxiety issues.

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 Remember!
Ways of correcting fragments

5. Fragment that begins with a dependent word

Ex: When the system fails. No one is o be blamed.
When the system fails, no one is to be blamed.

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 error 2: comma splice
3 Reslicing what must be kept
 let’s slice the info...
A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to link two independent
sentence units (with their own subjects and predicates) that are fully
capable of standing on their own.

Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out, they prefer Burger King.

In this example, both “We always eat at In ‘N’ Out” and “they prefer Burger
King” are complete, independent sentences. Each makes sense on its own
and includes both a subject (we, they) and a predicate (eat…, prefer…).
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 let’s slice the info...
This common sentence error can be corrected in a variety of ways…
Option #1: Divide the splice into two separate sentences using a period.
Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out. They prefer Burger King.

Option #2: Connect the two spliced segments with a coordinating

conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out, but they prefer Burger King.

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 let’s slice the info...
Option #3: Connect the spliced sections using a semi-colon, which can join
related sentences.

Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out; they prefer Burger King.

Option #4: Link the spliced sections with a subordinating conjunction:

although, while, as, since, though, etc.

Example: Since we always eat at In ‘N’ Out, they prefer Burger King.
Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out although they prefer Burger King.
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 error 3: Run-on sentence
4 Rerunning what matters...
 running what is essential...
Run-on sentences are like comma splices, except they combine two
independent sentences without any punctuation at all. Run-on sentences are
an example of overcrowding – forcing two or more sentences into a slot for
one.

Example: We always eat at In ‘N’ Out they prefer Burger King.

The corrections for run-on sentences and comma splices are the same. For a
list of the various ways run-on sentences can be corrected, see options #1-4
above.
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 ways to correct run-on

1. Add end punctuation.

Ex: You think you are happy look at you.
You think you are happy? Look at you.

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 ways to correct run-on
2. Use a comma and conjunction.
Ex: Terence likes going out on Saturdays and he has been doing it since he was in high
school.
Terence likes going out on Saturdays, and he has been doing it since he was in high
school.

I went out so I could get some fresh air.

I went out, so I could get some fresh air.

Harry hosted a party but he did not spend any penny.

Harry hosted a party, but he did not spend any penny. 26
 ways to correct run-on
3. Use a semi-colon.
Ex: There are doctors coming they will help everyone who is sick.
There are doctors coming; they will help everyone who is sick.

Note: Semi-colons should not be used instead of periods.

Semi-colons should only be used when two clauses are of
equal weight, length, and improtance.

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 remember
In summary, a run-on sentence:
a. is improper grammar
b. includes two independent clauses incorrectly joined
c. needs to be fixed
d. can be fixed several ways

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“To cut and
tighten
sentences is the
secret of
mastery.”
- Dejan Stojanovic
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Thanks!
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