Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices Name __Natalie Sweeney_
One of the most common complaints of businesspeople regarding the writing of graduates
involves three sentence structure errors.
Fragment. A fragment is usually a broken-off part of a sentence. Fragments often can be
identified by the words that introduce them–words such as although, as, because, even, except,
for example, if, instead of, since, such as, that, which, and when.
Example: Jeremy loaded his résumé with keywords and relevant skills. Which is why he
couldn’t understand receiving no responses.
Improved: Jeremy loaded his résumé with keywords and relevant skills, which is why he
couldn’t understand receiving no responses.
Run-on (fused) sentence. A sentence with two independent clauses must be joined by a
coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but) or by a semicolon. Without a conjunction or a
semicolon, a run-on sentence results:
Example: Becca considered an internship she also thought about graduate school.
Improved: Becca considered an internship, but she also thought about graduate school.
Improved: Becca considered an internship; she also thought about graduate school.
Comma splice. When a writer joins (splices together) two independent clauses without using a
coordinating conjunction, a comma splice results.
Example: Jeremy disliked networking, however he knew how important it was.
Improved: Jeremy disliked networking; however, he knew how important it was.
Improved: Jeremy disliked networking but he knew how important it was.
Study the following. Identify fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. For each item write an
