8.3 Eliminating Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices & Parallel Structure
Key Takeaways
- A complete sentence requires at least one independent clause containing a subject, a finite predicate verb, and a complete thought; dependent clauses or verbal phrases standing alone are sentence fragments.
- A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined solely with a comma; a fused sentence joins them with zero punctuation. Both are severe run-on errors.
- Fix run-ons and comma splices using one of four standard methods: a period and capital letter, a semicolon, a comma paired with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), or a subordinating conjunction.
- Parallel structure requires that elements in a series, compound predicates, and items joined by correlative conjunctions (either...or, not only...but also) share identical grammatical form.
- Maintain grammatical symmetry across verbals (do not mix gerunds with infinitives) and clausal patterns in formal academic writing.
Eliminating Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices & Parallel Structure
Quick Answer: Under WEST-B Objective 0011, every complete sentence must contain at least one independent clause (Subject + Finite Verb + Complete Thought). Punctuation errors like sentence fragments (subordinate clauses or verbal phrases punctuated as complete sentences) and comma splices / run-on sentences (independent clauses joined without appropriate coordinating conjunctions or semicolons) are heavily penalized. Furthermore, elements linked in lists, series, or joined by correlative conjunctions (not only...but also, either...or) must maintain strict parallel grammatical structure (matching nouns to nouns, gerunds to gerunds, and clauses to clauses).
1. Identifying and Repairing Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated as a complete sentence that lacks one or more essential grammatical components: a subject, a finite predicate verb, or a complete independent thought.
The Anatomy of an Independent Clause
An independent clause must satisfy three strict tests:
- Subject Test: Is there an explicit noun or pronoun performing or receiving the action?
- Predicate Verb Test: Is there a finite, tensed verb (not just a verbal participle or infinitive)?
- Completeness Test: Does the clause express a freestanding, complete thought without leaving an unanswered grammatical condition?
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FOUR COMMON SENTENCE FRAGMENT PATTERNS |
| |
| Pattern 1: The Subordinate Clause Fragment |
| - Lacks completeness due to introductory subordinating conjunction. |
| - Fragment: "Although the candidate demonstrated mastery of literacy pedagogy." |
| - Fix: Attach to independent clause -> "Although the candidate demonstrated mastery of literacy |
| pedagogy, she needed additional coursework in mathematics." |
| |
| Pattern 2: The Participial Phrase Fragment |
| - Uses an -ing or -ed verbal phrase without an auxiliary verb and subject. |
| - Fragment: "Assessing student reading fluency with computerized diagnostic probes." |
| - Fix: Add subject and auxiliary -> "The teacher was assessing student reading fluency with..." |
| |
| Pattern 3: The Infinitive / Explanatory List Fragment |
| - Introduced by 'to + verb', 'such as', 'for example', or 'including'. |
| - Fragment: "Such as formative assessments, diagnostic portfolios, and exit tickets." |
| - Fix: Connect to preceding main clause with a colon or comma. |
| |
| Pattern 4: The Missing Predicate Verb Fragment |
| - Subject is heavily modified by relative clauses but never completes a predicate. |
| - Fragment: "The veteran educator who dedicated thirty years to rural school districts." |
| - Fix: Complete the main predicate -> "...school districts retired with high honors." |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Systematic Fragment Repair Techniques
| Fragment Construction (WEST-B Sample) | Defect Analysis | Standard Repair Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Because the school board approved the expanded STEM budget. | Subordinate clause beginning with Because left hanging without a main clause. | Attach to main clause: Because the school board approved the expanded STEM budget, the high school purchased thirty new microscopes. |
| Having completed the comprehensive student teaching practicum. The candidate applied for residency certification. | Participial phrase punctuated as a full sentence. | Combine with comma: Having completed the comprehensive student teaching practicum, the candidate applied for residency certification. |
| The district offers several specialized endorsements. For example, bilingual education, reading, and special education. | Appositive list fragment introduced by For example. | Integrate with punctuation: The district offers several specialized endorsements, such as bilingual education, reading, and special education. |
2. Run-on Sentences & Comma Splices
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined incorrectly. Run-ons manifest in two primary forms:
- Fused (Merged) Sentence: Two independent clauses joined with zero punctuation whatsoever.
- Example: The principal scheduled a faculty meeting the teachers prepared their department reports.
- Comma Splice: Two independent clauses joined only by a comma, lacking a coordinating conjunction.
- Example: The principal scheduled a faculty meeting, the teachers prepared their department reports.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| THE FOUR STANDARD METHODS OF CLAUSE REPAIR |
| |
| INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 1: [The literacy curriculum was updated] |
| INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 2: [student reading scores improved significantly] |
| |
| Method 1: Period + Capital Letter (Separate Sentences) |
| "The literacy curriculum was updated. Student reading scores improved significantly." |
| |
| Method 2: Semicolon (Closely Related Independent Clauses) |
| "The literacy curriculum was updated; student reading scores improved significantly." |
| |
| Method 3: Comma + Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS) |
| "The literacy curriculum was updated, and student reading scores improved significantly." |
| |
| Method 4: Subordinating Conjunction (Convert to Complex Sentence) |
| "After the literacy curriculum was updated, student reading scores improved significantly." |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
The FANBOYS Coordinating Conjunctions
To join two independent clauses with a comma, you must use one of the seven coordinating conjunctions, remembered by the acronym FANBOYS:
- For (Cause / Reason)
- And (Addition)
- Nor (Negative alternative)
- But (Contrast / Exception)
- Or (Alternative)
- Yet (Contrast / Concession)
- So (Result / Consequence)
WEST-B Classic Trap: Conjunctive Adverbs (However, Therefore, Furthermore, Moreover) Words like however, therefore, furthermore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless, and instead are conjunctive adverbs, NOT coordinating conjunctions. You cannot join two independent clauses with a comma and however. Doing so creates a comma splice.
- Incorrect (Comma Splice): The candidate passed the reading subtest, however, she must retake mathematics.
- Correct (Semicolon + Comma): The candidate passed the reading subtest**; however,** she must retake mathematics.
- Correct (Period): The candidate passed the reading subtest**. However,** she must retake mathematics.
3. Parallel Structure in Lists, Series, and Predicates
Parallel structure (parallelism) means using the same grammatical pattern to express two or more ideas that have the same level of importance. When elements are linked in a series or compound structure, they must match in part of speech, verbal form, and clausal design.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| PARALLEL STRUCTURE ARCHITECTURE |
| |
| NON-PARALLEL (Faulty Structural Symmetry): |
| The teacher enjoyed [designing lesson plans] (gerund phrase), |
| [to mentor student teachers] (infinitive phrase), and |
| [collaborations with parents] (noun phrase). |
| |
| PARALLEL REVISION (All Gerund Phrases): |
| The teacher enjoyed [designing lesson plans], |
| [mentoring student teachers], and |
| [collaborating with parents]. |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Parallelism Across Different Syntactic Constructions
-
Parallelism in Series of Words and Phrases:
- Faulty: An effective educator must be patient, knowledgeable, and show empathy. (Adjective + Adjective + Verb Phrase)
- Parallel: An effective educator must be patient, knowledgeable, and empathetic. (Adjective + Adjective + Adjective)
-
Parallelism in Compound Verb Predicates:
- Faulty: The administrator reviewed the school safety data, identified key risk areas, and a revised emergency protocol was drafted. (Active Verb + Active Verb + Passive Clause)
- Parallel: The administrator reviewed the school safety data, identified key risk areas, and drafted a revised emergency protocol. (Active Verb + Active Verb + Active Verb)
-
Parallelism with Infinitives vs. Gerunds: When listing verbals, stick consistently to either gerunds (-ing) or infinitives (to + verb). If using infinitives, you may repeat to before every item or use a single to before the first verb to govern the entire series.
- Parallel: The candidate hopes to pass the exam, gain admission, and begin student teaching.
- Parallel: The candidate hopes to pass the exam, to gain admission, and to begin student teaching.
4. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions & Comparisons
Correlative conjunctions travel in inseparable pairs. The grammatical structure that immediately follows the first conjunction must identically match the grammatical structure that immediately follows the second conjunction.
The Correlative Conjunction Pairs
- either...or
- neither...nor
- not only...but also
- both...and
- whether...or
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| THE CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION BALANCE RULE |
| |
| Formula: [Correlative 1] + [Structure X] + [Correlative 2] + [Structure X] |
| |
| Flawed Placement: |
| The district [not only] provided laptops to students but also upgraded the internet bandwidth. |
| - After 'not only': provided laptops (Verb Phrase) |
| - After 'but also': upgraded the internet bandwidth (Verb Phrase) -> BALANCED! |
| |
| Flawed Placement Example 2: |
| The teacher [not only] wanted to inspire her students [but also] parents. |
| - After 'not only': wanted to inspire her students (Verb Phrase) |
| - After 'but also': parents (Noun Phrase) -> FAULTY PARALLELISM! |
| - Correct Revision: The teacher wanted to inspire [not only] her students [but also] parents. |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Parallelism in Comparisons
When comparing elements using than, as, or phrases like prefer X to Y, the items being compared must be grammatically parallel and logically comparable.
- Faulty: High school teachers prefer designing collaborative projects to lectures. (Gerund phrase compared to bare noun)
- Parallel: High school teachers prefer designing collaborative projects to delivering traditional lectures. (Gerund phrase compared to gerund phrase)
- Faulty: Learning in an interactive classroom is more effective than to sit in a lecture hall. (Gerund compared to infinitive)
- Parallel: Learning in an interactive classroom is more effective than sitting in a lecture hall. (Gerund compared to gerund)
Which of the following revisions successfully eliminates the comma splice in the sentence below? 'The state legislature allocated emergency funding for public schools, consequently, school districts avoided severe staff reductions.'
Identify the option that represents a grammatically complete sentence rather than a sentence fragment.
Select the sentence that maintains strict parallel grammatical structure across its components.
Which of the following sentences exhibits faulty parallelism in its series of elements?