COMMA SPLICE VS. FRAGMENT

Anna Weis

Comma Splices and Fragments Comma splices and fragments are

among the most common writing errors. In addition to being grammatically

incorrect, both comma splices and fragments lead to incoherent sentences, which impedes thought and causes loss of purpose and flow.

Fragment

A fragment is a group of words used as a sentence, but it is not a sentence. It either lacks a subject, a verb, or some other essential part to a sentence. That missing part makes it incomplete.

Examples

#1- Milk all over the table. This phrase lacks a verb. To make it a

proper sentence one might add spilled. “Milk spilled all over the table.”

#2- When I walk to the store. This clause does not convey a complete

thought. What happened when you took a walk? To correct add “When I walk to the store, I always pass my neighbors house.”

Furthermore

Another way to correct a fragment is to combine the fragment into a previous sentence. Example: Bob asked, “Is that the Big Ben?”

Pointing at the tall building in front of him. CORRECTION: Pointing at the tall building in front

of him, Ben asked, “is that Big Ben?”

Take Away

When checking for fragments: Look for a verb. Look for a subject. Look for subordinating conjunctions (when,

while, because, etc.) or relative pronouns (who, which, that). Subordinating conjunctions are used to construct dependent adverbial clauses; relative pronouns are used to construct dependent adjectival clauses. If you suspect a passage is a fragment, the presence of these words will likely prove it is.

Comma Splices

A comma splice is when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma. This comma is not enough: a period, semicolon, or conjunction is needed.

Examples

The dog was lying in the hot sun for hours, he began to sweat and show signs of dehydration. Correction: The dog was lying in the hot sun

for hours, and he began to sweat and show signs of dehydration (coordination conjunction added)

Malcolm X was a very controversial leader in the sixties, many disagreed with his radical ideas. Correction: add semicolon

Take Away

How to identify comma splices and fused sentences:

Look for sentences which explain, expand an idea, or link an example to an idea. Often these are fused.

Using pronouns like he, she, they, it, this, or that in the same sentence as the antecedent usually signals a fused sentence or comma splice.

Look for conjunctive adverbs (however, furthermore, thus, therefore, etc.) and transitional expressions (for example, on the other hand) often signal fused sentences or comma splices.

QUIZ TIME!

Work Cited

Sebranek, Patrick, Verne Meyer, and

Dave Kemper. Writers Inc. Burlington,

WI: Write Source Educational Pub.

House, 1992. Print.