3. Fragments and Run-togethers

This is where the tire hits the road.  All the rules for commas and periods have to do with clauses and whether they are dependent or independent.  Now that you understand that you can understand the rules and avoid the two problems everyone makes in English – fragments and run-togethers.

A fragment is a clause that cannot stand alone.  In other words, it’s a dependent clause.
(Or sometimes it isn’t even a clause if it doesn’t have a subject or a verb.)

Example:

That I saw yesterday.
Until I met you.
While I’m sleeping.

These sentences are fragments.  They need an independent clause to lean on.

Or to put it another way:  Every sentence in English must have an independent clause.

That’s good. 

So if one independent clause is good, are two better?  No!

Two independent clauses together are called a run-together.  When this shows up in your work I generally write “put a period.”

Let’s  take at this.

He is tired she is hungry.

How many subjects are in this sentence?

Two!  There are two subjects (he and she) and two verbs (tired and hungry).  There are two clauses here:  1.  He is tired.  2.  She is hungry.

Are they independent or dependent?  They are both independent! 

In English, there are two answers to this problem.

1. Make the two independent clauses into two sentences.  Or:
2. Connect the two independent clauses with a semi-colon.

Now how many times do you read sentences in English that have semi-colons?  That’s right.  Not very often – that’s because they’re not intended to be used very often.  We use semi-colons to connect ideas that are very, very connected.  We also use semi-colons between two independent clauses that are connected with words like also, consequently, however, otherwise, therefore, etc.

Example: 
The book was interesting; however, I didn’t finish it.
I’ll enjoy the job; furthermore, I need the money.
I want to go: also, I think it’s my duty.

If all these is starting to get confusing or overwhelming, stop and focus for a minute on the important point:  EVERY SENTENCE IS ENGLISH MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE BUT THEY CAN ONLY HAVE ONE!  (- unless you combine them with a semi-colon… but if you’re NOT using a semi-colon, then they can only have one!)

All right.  We understand.


(And now what?  That’s right!  It’s time for another break.  It’s time to put your feet up, your head down and do something relaxing.  Let it all go and forget about it.  Then, when you’re ready, you can come back and yes, read everything all over again and practice! practice! practice! before moving on to section 4.  IF YOU’RE AT ALL TIRED, DON’T PROCEED TO SECTION 4.  REMEMBER, TIRED BRAINS DON’T WORK AS WELL AS RESTED BRAINS.)

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