A fellow editor shared three essential handouts that are perfect for explaining some of the most common issues seen in writing, particularly with newbie authors. I will post them on separate days so they can be properly absorbed.
Fragments, Comma Splices, and Run-ons
This group of errors is one of the most widespread among writers, and it’s a problem not only because it’s incorrect but also because it muddies meaning. If a manuscript doesn’t have coherent ideas in coherent sentences, the flow of thought breaks down.
- Fragments: lack subjects (main nouns) or predicates (main verbs), or may be a dependent clause which has not been joined to an independent clause.
- Comma splices: independent clauses joined with a comma
- Run-on sentences: independent clauses joined with no punctuation
FRAGMENTS
When checking for fragments, apply these three tests:
- Look for a verb. Every sentence must have a main verb.
- Look for a subject. Every sentence must have a main subject.
- Look for subordinating conjunctions (when, while, because, etc.) or relative pronouns (who, which, that). Subordinating conjunctions are used to construct dependentadverbial 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.
How to fix fragments:
If the fragment is a dependent clause:
- Convert the dependent clause to an independent clause by eliminating subordinating conjunctions or by substituting the antecedent or personal pronoun for the relative pronoun.
Examples:
- Even though the president attended the meeting.
Revised: Even though The president attended the meeting.
- While Americans keep recycling the same old cliches.
Revised: While Americans keep recycling the same old cliches.
- Many students, who might read more often.
Revised: Many students who might read more often.
Revised: Many students They who might read more often.
If the fragment is a noun phrase (has no main verb) or a verbal phrase (verbs and associated words not functioning as a main verb):
Revising verbal phrases
Restore the subject, or join the phrase to a complete independent clause.
Example:
- Crossing out the word very.
Revised: Bob Smith crossing crossed out the word very.
Revised: Crossing out the word very, Bob Smith edited the magazine article rigorously.
Revising Infinitive phrases functioning as nouns
Rewrite as an independent clause by linking it to a subject and predicate
Example:
- To delete the word very.
Revised: Johnson prefers to delete the word very when copyediting.
Revising prepositional phrases functioning as modifiers
Join the prepositional phrase to an independent clause, usually the sentence before or after.
Example:
- With its emphasis on informal communication.
Revised: With its emphasis on informal communication, email is today’s communication media of choice.
Revising separated compound predicates.
Compound predicates are two main verbs (with connected words) linked with a coordinating conjunction like and or but. When one half of this construction is separated with a period, it becomes a fragment. To correct it, either give the fragment its own subject, or rejoin the two halves.
Example:
- The process of maturation is lifelong. But is most critical during adolescence.
Revised: The process of maturation is lifelong. But this process is most critical during adolescence.
Revised: The process of maturation is lifelong but is most critical during adolescence.
COMMA SPLICES & RUN-ON SENTENCES
Comma splices are simply joining two independent clauses with commas; run-on sentences do the same thing without punctuation.
How to identify comma splices and run-on sentences:
- Look for sentences which explain, expand an idea, or link an example to an idea. Often these are run-ons.
- Using pronouns like he, she, they, it, this, or that in the same sentence as the antecedent usually signals a run-on sentence or comma splice.
- Look for conjunctive adverbs (however, furthermore, thus, therefore, etc.) and transitional expressions (for example, on the other hand) often signal run-on sentences or comma splices
- Example: Comma splice: I’ve said it before, I love you.
Run-on: I’ve said it before I love you.
Strategies for fixing comma splices and run-on sentences:
- Link by making two separate sentences.
Example: I’ve said it before, I love you.
Revised: I’ve said it before. I love you.
- Link by adding a conjunction.
Example: She wanted cookies, he baked a cake.
Revised: She wanted cookies, but he baked a cake.
- Link by using a semicolon.
Example: I’ve said it before, I love you.
Revised: I’ve said it before; I love you.
- Link by using a subordinating conjunction (where, while, when, because)
Example: She wanted cookies, he baked a cake.
Revised: While she wanted cookies, he baked a cake.
So…recognize any of these bad habits? What techniques do you use to make sure your writing is flowing smoothly?
So…s
