How to identify and solve sentence problems. For more English tutorials, please visit: https://www.thelecturette.com

1. Sentence Problems

2. Sentence Problems
Fragments
Run-on sentences & comma splices
Choppy sentences
Stringy sentences

3. Fragments
Fragments are incomplete sentences
or parts of sentences. Remember that a
complete sentence must contain at least
one main/independent clause, which
means it must contain a subject and a verb,
so that it can stand by itself.

4. Examples of Fragments
Because some students work part-time
while taking a full load of classes.
This is a dependent clause and it doesn’t
express a complete thought.

5. Examples of Fragments
Add an independent clause: Because some
students work part-time while taking a full
load of courses, they have very little free
time.
Delete the subordinator (because): Some
Students work part-time while taking a full
load of classes.

6. Examples of Fragments
For example, the increase in the cost of
renting an appartment.
Solution: add a verb:
For example, the increase in the cost of
renting an appartment is one reason for
people being homeless.

7. Run-on Sentences & Comma
Splices
In a run-on sentence two or more
independent clauses are connected without
punctuation:
My family went to Australia then they
emigrated to Canada.

8. Run-on Sentences & Comma
Splices
A comma splice occurs when two
independent clauses are incorrectly joined
by a comma without a linker:
My family went to Australia, then they
emigrated to Canada.

9. Run-on Sentences & Comma
Splices: Solutions
Add a full-stop:
My family went to Australia. Then they
emigrated to Canada.
Add a semi-colon:
My family went to Australia; then they
emigrated to Canada.

10. Run-on Sentences & Comma
Splices: Solutions
Add a coordinator:
My family went to Australia, and then they
emigrated to Canada.
Add a subordinator:
After my family went to Australia, they
emigrated to Canada.

11. Choppy Sentences
Choppy sentences are too short. Short
sentences can be effective, for instance
when you want to make an impact;
however, overuse of short sentences is
considered poor style in academic writing.
Choppy sentences are easy to correct;
just combine two or three to make one
compound or complex sentence.

12. Choppy Sentences: Solutions
If the sentences express equal ideas,
use a coordinator to combine them.
Choppy: Dams produce hydraulic
power. They have existed for a long
time. Windmills are relatively new.

13. Choppy Sentences: Solutions
Correct: Dams have produced hydraulic
power for a long time, but windmills are
relatively new.

14. Choppy Sentences: Solutions
If one sentence expresses a less important
idea than the other(s), use a subordinator to
combine them:
Choppy: Solar energy is a promising new
source of energy. Solar energy is energy
from the sun.

15. Choppy Sentences: Solutions
Correct: Solar energy, which is energy from
the sun, is a promising new source.

16. Stringy Sentences
These are sentences with too many
clauses, usually connected with and, but,
so, or because:
Many students attend classes all morning,
and then they work all afternoon, and they
also have to study at night, so they are
usually exhausted by the weekend.

17. Stringy Sentences - Solutions
To correct a stringy sentence, divide it and/or
recombine the clauses, using subordinators
when appropriate:
Many students attend classes all morning and
work all afternoon. Since they also have to
study at night, they are usually exhausted by
the weekend.

18. Stringy Sentences - Solutions
Or:
Because many students attend classes all
morning, work all afternoon, and study at
night, they are usually exhausted by the
weekend.