Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science & Technology, Kumasi,

Ghana

Communication Skills
ENGL 157

ERRORS IN
SENTENCE
OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Identify sentence fragment in English.
2. recognize comma splice, run-on, and parallel
structures in a text.
3. write to avoid sentence fragment, comma splice,
parallelism (shift), and run-on sentences.

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 Sentence Fragment: What is it?

1. A Sentence fragment is a word group that lacks a subject or a

verb and /or one that does not express a complete thought.

2. Sentence fragment is an error that occurs when incomplete

sentences are punctuated as though they were complete sentence.

3. A sentence fragment is a group of words-a phrase or a

dependent clause that is punctuated like a sentence. It however
does not express a complete thought or idea

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 Sentence Fragment Cont’d

Sentences must usually have a subject and a verb and

must express a complete thought.

A word group that lacks a subject or a verb and fails to

express a complete thought is a fragment.

Let us look at these examples.

1. When I was going home.
2. By the coconut tree.

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 Activity

Working with a partner or group, correct the following

fragments:
1. Whenever I am waiting for an important phone call.
2. If I can finish writing my paper tonight. I can go to the gym
with you tomorrow.
3. When I want to brighten up my day, I buy a bunch of colourful
flowers. Such as carnations or daisies.
4. At the end of the movie, when the battle began.
5. Although I had never played soccer before.
6. In addition, the job is part-time.

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The above examples may seem to be complete
sentences since they end with a full stop but as I stated
earlier, they do not express a complete thought or idea.
Therefore, we need to revise them by adding a main or
independent clause for the sentence to give the required
information.

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 Sentence Fragment Cont’d

Let us consider the revised versions below:

(a). When I was going home. (Fragment)
(b). When I was going home, I met the doctor.
(revised)

Example (a) is a fragment and example (b) is a complete

sentence where the fragment has been joined to a main
clause, which I have underlined, to give it a complete
thought.

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Let us also consider the second fragment I gave as an
example earlier.

a) By the coconut tree. ( fragment )

b) I hid the money by the coconut tree. (revised)

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 Sentence Fragment Cont’d

You may have noted that I placed the main clause first
before attaching the sentence fragment. On the whole,
the revised sentence provides something meaningful,
that which I call a complete thought.

We expect that your essays or your writings should be

free of sentence fragments since sentence fragments do
not make a complete meaning.

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 Consider the following Examples :
1.The apartment building with the mural on the side.
R) The apartment building with the mural on the side burned
down.
2. The police officer looking for the robbery suspects.
R1) The police officer is looking for the robbery suspects.
R2) The police officer looked for the robbery suspects.
R3) The police officer looking for the robbery suspects is my
father
3. Whenever I go to school.
R) Whenever I go to school, I take the bus.

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 Types of Sentence Fragment

Here are the most common types of sentence fragment

1. Dependent-word fragment
2. -ing fragment
3. Added-details fragment
4. Missing-subject fragment

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 Dependent-word fragment

Some word group that begin with dependent words are

fragments. When you start a sentence with a dependent
word, be careful not to create a fragment.
Examples:
After I cashed my paycheck. I treated myself to dinner.
(Fragment)
After I cashed my paycheck, I treated myself to dinner.
(Revised)
I won’t leave the house. Until I hear from you. (Fragment)
I won’t leave the house until I hear from you. (Revised)
Until I hear from you, I won’t leave the house. (Revised)

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 -ing fragment

When an –ing word appears at or near the start of a

word group, a fragment may result. Such fragments
often lack a subject and part of the verb.

Boatemaa walked all over the neibourhood yesterday.

Trying to find her dog. Many people claimed they had
seen it only hours before. (Fragment)
Boatemaa walked all over the neibourhood yesterday
trying to find her dog. Many people claimed they had
seen it only hours before. (Revised)

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 Added-details fragment

Added-details fragment lacks a subject and verb. They

often begin with one of the following words: also,
especially, like, including, except, for example, such as,
etc.
Before a race, I eat starchy foods. Such as bread and
spaghetti. The carbohydrates provide quick energy.
(Fragment)

Before a race, I eat starchy foods such as bread and

spaghetti. The carbohydrates provide quick energy.
(Revised)
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 Missing-subject fragment

In each of the following sentences, underline the word group in

which the subject is missing.
- Akosua loved getting wedding presents. But hated
writing thank-you notes. (Fragment)

- Akosua loved getting wedding presents but hated

writing thank-you notes (Revised)

- Akosua loved getting wedding presents but, she hated

writing thank-you notes. (Revised)

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- Tom has orange soda and potato chips for breakfast.
Then eats more junk food, like root beer and cookies,
for lunch.

- Tom has orange soda and potato chips for breakfast.

Then he eats more junk food like root beer and cookies
for lunch.

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 Correction of fragment sentences

To correct fragment sentences, consider the following:

1. Check for a subject and a verb.
The dog in the pet store window. (Fragment)
The dog in the pet store window has eaten. (Revised)
The dog is in the pet store window. (Revised)

2. –ing verb by itself cannot be the main verb in a sentence.

Your sister having all the skills required of a good
salesperson. Your sister is having all the skills required of a good
salesperson. Your sister has all the skills required of a good
salesperson.

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 Correction cont.
3. An infinitive (to plus a verb) cannot be the verb in a sentence.
The manager of the store to attend the meeting of regional
managers next month in Accra. (Fragment)
The manager of the store is to attend the meeting of regional
managers next month in Accra. (Revised)

4. Group of words beginning with words like also, especially,

expect, for example, in addition, moreover, furthermore etc. need
subject and verb to make a sentence.
Especially the youngest member of the group. (Fragment)
For example, a person without a university degree. (Fragment)
The group is vibrant especially the youngest member of the
group. (Revised)

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 Correction cont.
5. When a phrase is left to stand alone, it is phrase fragment.
will soon be sleeping.
inside the house.
To correct phrase fragment, you need to supply the missing
elements.
The baby will soon be sleeping
The missing necklace was found inside the house.
6. When a subordinate clause is left to stand alone, it is
subordinate clause fragment.
After the candidates arrive.
After the candidates arrive, the inter halls debate will begin.
The candidates arrive by limousine.

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 Run-on sentences
Read the following group of sentences and give your comments on them.

1a. The bus stopped suddenly I found myself in an old man’s lap.
1b. The bus stopped suddenly, I found myself in an old man’s lap.
1c. The bus stopped suddenly. I found myself in an old man’s lap.

2 a. We heard the noise in the garage two birds had flown in through the open
window.
2 b. We heard the noise in the garage. Two birds had flown in through the
open window.

3a. Esther cleans her kitchen every week she shines every pot and pan.
3b. Esther cleans her kitchen every week; she shines every pot and pan.

4a. I studied for the test all weekend I am well prepared for it.
4b. I studied for the test all weekend so I am well prepared for it.

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 Run-on sentences: What is it?

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses

are joined without the appropriate punctuation or the use of the
correct conjunction.

Run-on sentences consist of two complete thoughts run together

without adequate punctuation to signal the break between them.

1a. The bus stopped suddenly I found myself on an old man’s lap.
2a. We heard the noise in the garage two birds had flown in
through the open window.
3a. Esther cleans her kitchen every week she shines every pot and
pan.
4a. I studied for the test all weekend I am well prepared for it.
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 Types of Run-on sentences

Two types of Run-on sentences have been identified:

1. Fused sentence
2. Comma splices

Fused sentences have no punctuation to mark the break

between the two independent clauses whereas Comma
splices are errors that occur when you punctuate with a
comma instead of a period or a semicolon.

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 Correcting Run-on sentences

Here are the four common ways of correcting Run-on sentences

are:
1. Use a period and a capital letter to separate sentences.
The bus stopped suddenly. I found myself on an old man’s lap.
2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
The bus stopped suddenly, and I found myself on an old man’s
lap.
3. Use a semicolon to connect the two thoughts.
The bus stopped suddenly; I found myself in an old man’s lap.
4. Use subordinating conjunction to join the two thoughts.
When the bus stopped suddenly, I found myself in an old man’s
lap.
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 Activity
Read the following sentences and correct all run-on errors.
1. The flower is the most important part of a plant it contains the seeds
that enable the plant to reproduce.

2. Since I got my smart phone, I spent too much time texting my friends
I hardly ever send e-mail anymore.

3. Charles peered into the microscope he saw only his own eyelashes.

4. Our science class is working on a weather project with students from

Russia we communicate by computer almost every day.

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Activity
Edit the following paragraph for run-on and comma splices.
Choosing a career is difficult I an torn between two fields. My
best grades have been in math classes and my father wants me to
be an accountant. Accountants make good salary in addition,
they are always in demand. My uncle is an accountant and has
found good jobs in four exciting cities. I would like the security
and opportunity of such employment on the other hand, I dream
of a different career. I have been working at a restaurant for four
years as a result, I have learned about inner workings of the
restaurant business. The job is tough nevertheless, I would love
to have my own restaurant. Everyone warns me about the huge
financial risks and long hours yet these challenges can be
exciting. Someday I will have to choose between a risky venture
in the restaurant business and a safe, well-paying career in
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 PARALLELISM

Parallelism is phenomenon which means that items in a series

must be parallel or balanced. That’s items arranged in series must
be of the same grammatical category; noun, verb, etc., same
grammatical form in terms of number; singular and plural,
aspect; progressive and perfective, voice; active and passive,
etc. and must perform the same grammatical function.

For example:
1. Dancing, singing and writing are my hobbies.
2. To dance, to sing and to write are my hobbies.

From these examples, you can see that parallelism involves

matching the structures of parts of sentences.
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 FAULTY PARALLELISM

Faulty parallelism arises when the items arranged in

series are different grammatical forms and functions.
For example:
1. Of all the sports I’ve played, I prefer tennis,
handball, and playing golf.
2. He is a good choice for manager because he works
hard, he keeps calm and well-liked.

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 Shift constructions
A shift construction is example of faulty parallelism. A
shift is a sudden, unexpected change in point of view,
verb tense, voice, or level of diction that may confuse
your readers. Consider this text.

A bank commonly owes more to its customers that is

held in reserve. They kept enough assets to meet
reasonable withdrawals, but panicked customers may
demand all their deposits. Then demand will exceed
supplies, and banks failed. These days, a person’s losses
are not likely to be great because the government
insures your deposits.
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Now, upon first reading, you may think that there is
everything right with the short paragraph above but
there are a lot of inconsistencies in the area of verb
tense, person, and voice. Consider the revised
paragraph

A bank commonly owes more to its customers that it holds in

reserve. It keeps enough assets to meet reasonable withdrawals,
but panicked customers may demand all their deposits. Then
demands will exceed supplies, and the bank will fail. These days,
the losses of customers are not likely to be great because the
government insures their deposits.

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 Shifts in Person

Person in grammar refers to the distinction among the person

talking (first person), the person spoken to (second person), and
the person, object, or concept being talked about (third person).

Most shifts in person occur because we can refer to people in

general, including our readers, either in the third person ( a
person, one, people, they) or in the second person (you). Person
shows the writer’s point of view.

The following examples that share the same meaning but written
from different points of view.

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People should not drive when they have been drinking.
One should not drive when he or she has been drinking
You should not drive when you have been drinking.

Although any of the possibilities is acceptable in an appropriate

context, a mixture of them is inconsistent:
Shift: If a person works hard, you can gain recognition.
Revised: If you work hard, you can gain recognition.
Revised: If a person works hard, he or she can gain recognition.
Better: If people work hard, they can gain recognition.

The first sentence is a bad one because there is a shift in person.

The three revised ones are good but the third revised one is better
than all of them.
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 Shifts in Number
Number refers to the distinction between one (singular) and
more than one (plural). Inconsistency in numbers occurs most
often between a pronoun and its antecedent. For example:

1. If a student does not understand a lesson, they should consult

the instructor. (shift)

2. If students do not understand a lesson, they should consult

the instructor. (revised)

3. A student who does not understand a lesson should consult

the instructor. (revised)

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 Shift in tense
Maintain consistency in verb tense throughout a paragraph or an
essay, unless the meaning requires you to change tenses. Changes
that are not required by meaning distract readers. For example:

The virus mutated so quickly that it develops a resistance to most

vaccines. (inconsistent)
The virus mutates so quickly that it develops a resistance to most
vaccines. (revised)

The city’s crime rate continues to decrease, but experts disagreed

on the reasons. (inconsistent)
The city’s crime rate continues to decrease, but experts disagree
on the reasons. (revised)
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 Shift in Voice
When a verb is in the active voice, the subject is the actor of the
activity described by the verb and when a verb is in the passive
voice, the subject is acted upon. Unnecessary shifts between the
active voice and passive voice can disorient your readers and
create confusion. Look at the following shifts.

Internet newsgroups cover an enormous range of topics for

discussion. Forums for meeting people with like interests are
provided in these groups. (inconsistent)

Internet newsgroups cover an enormous range of topics for

discussion and provide forums for meeting people with like
interests. (revised)

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Drought and windstorms made farming impossible and many
families were forced to leave Okom village due to starvation.
(inconsistent)

Drought and windstorms made farming impossible, and

starvation forced many families to leave Okom village. (revised)

In the sentences above, the inconsistent ones have shift in voice

from the active voice to passive. Avoid such shifts in your
sentences.

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 Shift in Mood

Mood indicates whether the sentence states a fact or asks a

question (indicative mood), gives a command or direction
(imperative mood), or expresses a condition or a suggestion
(subjunctive mood). Shifts in the mood of verbs occur most
frequently in directions when the writer moves between
imperative mood and the indicative mood.
For example:

1. Cook the mixture slowly, and you should stir it until the sugar
is dissolved. (inconsistent)

2. Cook the mixture slowly and stir it until the sugar is

dissolved. (revised)
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 Activity

Correct the shifts in person, verb tense, voice and mood in the following
paragraph.
Driving on a muddy road need not be dangerous if you practice a few rules.
First, one should avoid fast starts, which prevent the wheels from gaining
traction and may result in the car’s getting stuck. Second, drive slowly than
usual, and you should pay attention to the feel of the car: if the steering feels
unusually loose or the wheels did not seem to be grabbing the road, slow
down. Third, avoid fast stops, which lead to skids. One should be alert for
other cars and intersections that may necessitate that the brakes be applied
suddenly. If you need to slow down, the car’s momentum can be reduced by
downshifting as well as by applying the brakes. When braking, press the pedal
to the floor only if you have antilock brakes; otherwise, the pedal should be
pumped in short bursts. When you feel the car skidding, the brakes should be
release and the wheel should be turned into the direction of the skid, and then
the brakes should be pressed or pumped again. If one repeated this motions,
the skid would be stopped and the speed of the car would be reduced.
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