Grammar Review!

What makes a complete sentence?

What makes a complete sentence?

To be a complete sentence, it must pass 3 tests:

It must have a subject (who/what) It must have a verb (what is happening) It must express a complete thought

So a sentence fragment is
An incomplete sentence that doesnt pass one or more of those tests. Examples: Has your best interest in mind.
No subject! Who has your best interest in mind?

People like my mom and sister.

No verb! What about people like my mom and sister?

Because they love me.

Not a complete thought! Because they love me what?

So how do we fix a fragment?

You can add a subject:
Has your best interest in mind. A friend has your best interest in mind.

You can add a verb:

People like my mom and sister. I trust people like my mom and sister.

You can make it a complete thought:

Because they love me. Because they love me, they treat me well.

Then what is a run-on sentence?

A run-on sentence means two sentences (independent clauses) are joined incorrectly.

So what?
Having a run-on sentence, like a sentence fragment, is considered a major grammar error, and having several major grammar errors can prevent you from earning high grades on essays and from passing the department final.

Examples of run-ons (AKA fused sentences):

I went to the store I bought some eggs. I like to ride my bike sometimes I ride to the park. Brittany goes to LASC she is a good student. I like to write writing is my favorite hobby.

So how do I fix a run-on?

Im glad you asked! First, try reading the sentence out loud if you can. Then, try to figure out where one complete idea ends and the other begins. Last, wherever the first complete thought ends, put a semicolon or period.

So, for these examples

Here is how the sentences separate into two complete ideas: I went to the store I bought some eggs. I like to ride my bike sometimes I ride to the park. Brittany goes to LASC she is a good student. I like to write writing is my favorite hobby.

So they should be punctuated like so

I went to the store. I bought some eggs. OR I went to the store; I bought some eggs. I like to ride my bike. Sometimes I ride to the park. OR I like to ride my bike; sometimes I ride to the park. Brittany goes to LASC. She is a good student. OR Brittany goes to LASC; she is a good student. I like to write. Writing is my favorite hobby. OR I like to write; writing is my favorite hobby.

Well then what is a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when two sentences are incorrectly joined with just a comma. Examples: The store is having a sale, I want to go. I need a purse, I want new shoes. I wish I could buy more, I am on a budget.

So I suppose you are going to tell me how to fix a comma splice

Yep! If what comes before and after the comma is a complete thought that can stand on its own, you cant use just a comma! You can either:
Add a FANBOYS word (coordinating conjunction) after the comma Or change the comma to a semicolon

So the examples should be

The store is having a sale, so I want to go. OR The store is having a sale; I want to go. I need a purse, and I want new shoes. OR I need a purse; I want new shoes. I wish I could buy more, but I am on a budget. OR I wish I could buy more; I am on a budget.

The moral of the story is

Keep these in mind when you are writing for classdiscussions, journals, and essays! Carefully proofread your work and correct any fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. Pass English 101 and move on to fame and fortune (and excellent writing skills)!