Understanding Sentences and Fragments

Sentences and Their Components

• A sentence is a complete thought with both a subject and a predicate.
• The predicate indicates what the subject does or did.
• The subject identifies who or what the sentence is about.

Sentence Fragments

• A fragment lacks a complete thought, missing a subject or predicate, and often forms a dependent clause.
• Common beginnings for fragments include subordinate adverbs like whenever, because, since, until, although, and even if.

Fixing Sentence Fragments

• Combine the fragment with a nearby sentence (e.g., "On that morning, I sat in my usual spot. On the old wooden chair in the corner of my grandmother’s kitchen" can be integrated).
• Alternatively, convert the fragment into a complete sentence.

Run-On Sentences

• A run-on sentence occurs when two independent sentences are fused without conjunction or punctuation.
• Use a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) to separate ideas correctly.

Using Semicolons

• A semicolon functions similarly to a period, acting as a full stop between closely related independent clauses.
• Transitional expressions may accompany a semicolon to enhance clarity but are not mandatory.

Structuring Sentences

• Separate independent clauses into distinct sentences for clarity.
• Restructure sentences as needed to improve flow and coherence.

Comma Splices

• Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are linked only by a comma, without a conjunction. These should be avoided for proper sentence structure.