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ENG 222 Topic 1 Class 1

The document discusses different types of errors in written work including run-on sentences, fragments, and parallel structures. It then focuses on identifying and correcting run-on sentences, which can be fused sentences or comma splices. Various methods are provided for correcting run-on sentences such as using periods, conjunctions, semicolons, transitional phrases, and subordinating conjunctions.

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13 views18 pages

ENG 222 Topic 1 Class 1

The document discusses different types of errors in written work including run-on sentences, fragments, and parallel structures. It then focuses on identifying and correcting run-on sentences, which can be fused sentences or comma splices. Various methods are provided for correcting run-on sentences such as using periods, conjunctions, semicolons, transitional phrases, and subordinating conjunctions.

Uploaded by

bah-72-20
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ENG 222

Topic 1
ERROR ANALYSIS
Objective
Identify, describe and correct
language errors in written work
by students
In this lecture series, we will first look
at errors that have to do with
sentences structures such as:
•Run-on sentences
•Fragments
•Parallel structures
Run-on
sentences;
Run-ons for
short
RUN-ON SENTENCES
• In general, avoid sentence run-ons in college writing!
• A sentence consists of at least one independent
clause - that is, one subject and one verb, e.g.;
College costs are rising.
• A run-on is two complete thoughts that are run
together with no adequate sign given to mark the
break between them. To put it simply, a run-on is
two sentences that are written as if they were one.
• We may distinguish two types of run-on sentences:
those known as FUSED SENTENCES from those
known as COMMA SPLICES.
FUSED SENTENCES
• Fused sentences are run-ons that do not have
punctuation at all to mark the break between
the thoughts. They are fused, or joined
together, as if they were only one thought,
e.g.;
✓The bus stopped suddenly I spilled coffee
all over my shirt.
✓The company performed well last quarter
its stock rose several points.
✓Mario told everyone in the room to be
quiet his favourite show was on.
COMMA SPLICES
• In comma splices, a comma is used to connect, or
“splice” together, the two complete thoughts.
However, a comma alone is not enough to connect
two complete thoughts. Some stronger connection
than a comma alone is needed. Examples of comma
splices:
✓The bus stopped suddenly, I spilled coffee all over
my shirt.
✓The company performed well last quarter, its stock
rose several points.
✓Mario told everyone in the room to be quiet, his
favourite show was on.
• Comma splices are the most common kind of
run-on. Students sense that some kind of
connection is needed between two thoughts, and
so they often put a comma at the dividing point
where a stronger, clearer mark is needed
between the two complete thoughts.
CORRECTING RUN-ON SENTENCES

Run-ons - fused sentences or


comma splices - can be
corrected in FIVE WAYS
Method 1: Period and Capital Letter
• One way of correcting a run-on is to use a period and
a capital letter between the two complete thoughts.
Use this method especially if the thoughts are not
closely related or if another method would make the
sentence too long.
✓The bus stopped suddenly. I spilled coffee all over
my shirt.
✓Mario told everyone in the room to be quiet. His
favourite show was on.
✓The company performed well last quarter. Its
stock rose several points
Method 2: Comma and Coordinating
Conjunction
• Another way of correcting a run-on is to use a comma plus a
joining word to connect the two complete thoughts.
Coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and
so (FAN BOYS). Coordinating conjunctions indicate a
particular relationship between the ideas – for instance,
cause and effect or contrast or addition. Always place a
comma before the coordinating conjunction, e.g.;
✓Cassie works full-time for an accounting firm, and she takes
evening classes (and means in addition)
✓I checked out the job boards, but I knew my dream job wouldn’t
be listed (but means however, on the other hand)
✓Lizards become sluggish at night, for they need the sun’s warmth
to maintain an active body temperature (for means because).
✓The canoe touched bottom, so Dave pushed it toward deeper
water (So means as a result)
NOTE
•No comma is required before a
coordinating conjunction unless it links
two independent clauses, e.g.,
✓We can stand in line all night, or go home
now. Incorrect
✓We can stand in line all night or go home
now.
Method 3: Semicolon
• A third method of correcting a run-on is to use a
semicolon to mark the break between two
thoughts. A semicolon (;) looks like a period above
a comma and is sometimes called a strong comma.
A semicolon signals more of a pause than a comma
alone but not quite the full pause of a period.
When used to correct run-ons, a semicolon
indicates a particularly close connection or a strong
contrast between two ideas, e.g.;
✓Most professional basketball players go to college;
most professional baseball players do not.
✓The children on the bus were very loud; the bus driver
often had a headache.
Method 4: Semicolon with transitional
expression
• To indicate a specific relationship between
two closely related ideas, add a transitional
word or phrase after the semicolon. Always
place a comma after the transitional
expression, e.g.;
✓Finding a part-time job can be challenging; in
fact, sometimes it is even hard to find an unpaid
internship.
✓The company performed well last quarter;
therefore/for example, its stock rose several
points.
Examples of transitional expressions
Transitional Word Meaning
However but
nevertheless however
on the other hand however
instead as a substitute
meanwhile in the intervening time
otherwise under other conditions
indeed in fact
in addition also, and, moreover, furthermore
as a result thus, therefore, consequently
Method 5: Subordinating conjunction
• Another method of correcting run-ons is to use a subordinating
conjunction. Subordination is a way of showing that one idea is
dependent on another, through the use of a subordinating
conjunction such as when, who, although, or because. The
subordinating conjunction begins the subordinate clause, that
is, the clause whose idea depends on the other, e.g.;
✓American union membership was high in the mid-twentieth century it
has declined in recent years.(Incorrect)
✓Although American union membership was high in the mid-twentieth
century, it has declined in recent years. (Correct; notice the use of
comma when the subordinate clause begins the sentence)
✓American union membership, which was high in the mid-twentieth
century, has declined in recent years. (Correct)
Exercise
Some of the sentences in the following
paragraph are correct, but others are run-
ons. In the answer space after each
sentence, write C if the sentence is
correct, FS if it is a fused sentence, and CS
if it is a comma splice

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