3.3 Eliminating Fragments, Comma Splices & Run-on Sentences

3.3 Eliminating Fragments, Comma Splices & Run-on Sentences

Structural integrity is the foundation of effective police report writing. A report composed of fragmented thoughts, comma splices, or run-on sentences creates ambiguity, confuses readers, and compromises the legal validity of official documentation. On the California POST PELLETB, sentence structure items evaluate your ability to distinguish between complete independent clauses and incomplete or improperly joined clauses. Mastering the mechanics of complete sentences and learning how to correct structural flaws is essential for achieving a top T-score on the Writing subtest.

1. Anatomy of a Complete Sentence

To identify structural errors, you must first understand the essential components of a complete sentence in standard written English. Every complete sentence must contain three elements:

1. A Subject: The person, place, thing, or concept that performs the action or is described.
2. A Predicate: A finite verb or verb phrase that expresses what the subject does, experiences, or is.
3. A Complete Thought: The combination of subject and predicate must express an independent, self-contained thought that can stand alone as a sentence (Independent Clause).

Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

• Independent Clause: Contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought.
  • Example: Deputy Torres searched the suspect. (Complete sentence).
• Dependent (Subordinate) Clause: Contains a subject and a predicate but begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, while) or a relative pronoun (e.g., which, that, who). It does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.
  • Example: Because Deputy Torres searched the suspect. (Incomplete - dependent clause).

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2. Sentence Fragments: Types, Identification, and Repair

A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence (capital letter at the start, period at the end) but lacks a subject, a predicate, or an independent complete thought.

Common Fragment Types in Police Reporting

Type A: Dependent Clause Fragments

These fragments occur when a subordinate clause is separated from the main independent clause.

• Fragment: Officer Ramirez secured the perimeter. Because several suspects were still inside the building.
• Analysis: "Because several suspects were still inside the building" is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.
• Repair 1 (Combine): Officer Ramirez secured the perimeter because several suspects were still inside the building.
• Repair 2 (Standalone): Officer Ramirez secured the perimeter. Several suspects were still inside the building.

Type B: Participial Phrase Fragments

These fragments begin with a present participle (-ing verb) or past participle (-ed verb) and lack a grammatical subject and finite main verb.

• Fragment: Deputy Chen observed the vehicle. Running a red light at the intersection of Main and 5th Street.
• Analysis: "Running a red light..." lacks a subject (who was running the red light?) and a main verb.
• Repair 1 (Combine): Deputy Chen observed the vehicle running a red light at the intersection of Main and 5th Street.
• Repair 2 (Add Subject & Verb): Deputy Chen observed the vehicle. The vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Main and 5th Street.

Type C: Prepositional or Appositive List Fragments

These fragments consist of detailed lists or explanatory prepositional phrases punctuated as standalone sentences.

• Fragment: The suspect dropped several items while fleeing. Including a black leather wallet, a folding knife, and a stolen cell phone.
• Repair (Combine): The suspect dropped several items while fleeing, including a black leather wallet, a folding knife, and a stolen cell phone.

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3. Comma Splices: Recognition and Correction

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined (spliced) together with only a comma. A comma alone lacks the grammatical weight required to connect two complete, standalone sentences.

• Comma Splice Example: Officer Nguyen searched the vehicle, he discovered a loaded handgun under the driver's seat.
  • Clause 1: Officer Nguyen searched the vehicle. (Independent)
  • Clause 2: He discovered a loaded handgun under the driver's seat. (Independent)
  • Fault: Joined only by a comma.

Four Methods for Fixing Comma Splices

On the PELLETB, you will be required to recognize correct fixes for comma splices. Four distinct methods can be applied:

Note on FANBOYS: The seven coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. Joining two independent clauses requires both a comma and one of these conjunctions.

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4. Run-On (Fused) Sentences

A run-on sentence (also called a fused sentence) occurs when two independent clauses are joined with no punctuation whatsoever between them. The reader is forced into the second thought without any grammatical boundary.

• Run-On Example: Sergeant Davis arrived at the scene the victim was already receiving medical treatment from paramedics.
  • Clause 1: Sergeant Davis arrived at the scene.
  • Clause 2: The victim was already receiving medical treatment from paramedics.
  • Fault: Zero punctuation or conjunction between two independent clauses.

Repairing Run-On Sentences

Run-on sentences are repaired using the exact same four methods used for comma splices (period, semicolon, semicolon + conjunctive adverb, or comma + FANBOYS).

• Corrected (Method 3): Sergeant Davis arrived at the scene; however, the victim was already receiving medical treatment from paramedics.
• Corrected (Method 4): Sergeant Davis arrived at the scene, but the victim was already receiving medical treatment from paramedics.

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5. Punctuation Rules with Conjunctive Adverbs on the PELLETB

A frequent trap on the PELLETB involves conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, furthermore, consequently, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, and subsequently.

When a conjunctive adverb links two independent clauses, it must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Placing a comma before a conjunctive adverb creates a comma splice!

• Incorrect (Comma Splice Trap): The suspect refused to comply, however, Officer Vance deployed his pepper spray.
• Correct (Semicolon + Comma): The suspect refused to comply; however, Officer Vance deployed his pepper spray.
• Correct (Two Sentences): The suspect refused to comply. However, Officer Vance deployed his pepper spray.

Summary Rule Checklist for PELLETB Sentence Structure

1. Check that every sentence has a complete subject and verb and expresses an independent thought.
2. Never allow a dependent clause (because..., although..., running down...) to stand alone as a sentence.
3. Never join two complete sentences with only a comma.
4. Ensure coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) separating two independent clauses are preceded by a comma.
5. Ensure conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore) connecting two independent clauses are preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.