WHY you shouldn't include fragments and run-ons: Fragments and run-ons are a sign of an amateur writer. Sometimes, in some forms of writing, they are ok. In this case, many of your essays will be attached to a college application. Your application essay shows the college that you are a capable student, one who knows the fundamentals of the English language. An admissions person will probably choose an essay without these types of errors over one with these types of errors. I KNOW it is time consuming and difficult to re-read, re-read, and re-read your own essay searching for mistakes. It is time well spent!
A fragment sentence is an INCOMPLETE sentence. This means it is missing a subject, a verb, or it expresses an incomplete thought.
Examples:
FIXED examples:
MORE HELP WITH FRAGMENT SENTENCES.
A run-on is when MULTIPLE complete thoughts are strung together without correct punctuation.
Examples:
THREE WAYS TO FIX A RUN-ON
1. Make two sentences.
2. Add a semi-colon.
3. Use a comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
FIXED Examples:
MORE HELP WITH RUN-ON SENTENCES.
A fragment sentence is an INCOMPLETE sentence. This means it is missing a subject, a verb, or it expresses an incomplete thought.
Examples:
- Ever since third grade when I watched a tadpole develop into a frog (Incomplete thought... cliff-hanger sentence)
- Unable to study because of the noise in the dorm and the heat of the room (no subject... who is this about?)
- Eating corn on the cob and savoring every bite (again, no subject... who is this about?)
- Jamie and her friends running through the park (missing a helping verb...)
FIXED examples:
- Ever since third grade when I watched a tadpole develop into a frog, I wanted to study biology.
- Rebecca was unable to study because of the noise in the dorm and the heat of the room.
- They were eating corn and savoring every bite.
- Jamie and her friends were running through the park.
MORE HELP WITH FRAGMENT SENTENCES.
A run-on is when MULTIPLE complete thoughts are strung together without correct punctuation.
Examples:
- My mother is my hero she raised five kids all by herself and she went to school at the same time. (no punctuation... not ok)
- I was a bad kid and I was always getting in trouble and it wasn't until later that I fixed my ways. (and...and...and... not ok)
- I usually go to work after school, I'm usually pretty tired, I know it'll be worth it in the end. (just commas... not ok)
THREE WAYS TO FIX A RUN-ON
1. Make two sentences.
2. Add a semi-colon.
3. Use a comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
FIXED Examples:
- My mother is my hero; she raised five kids all by herself, and she went to school at the same time.
- My mother is my hero. She raised five kids all by herself, and she went to school at the same time.
- I was a bad kid, and I was always getting in trouble. It wasn't until later that I fixed my ways.
- I usually go to work after school, and I'm usually pretty tired, but I know it'll be worth it in the end.
MORE HELP WITH RUN-ON SENTENCES.