What is the best way to correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences?

To answer that and other questions about sentence structure, we'll review the first of six rules:

1. Eliminate unintentional sentence fragments. A fragment is a group of words that is mistakenly treated as a sentence although it is not a sentence. A sentence has a verb and its subject; a sentence expresses a complete thought.

Examples:
Mr. Jones will meet with Mr. Smith. (a complete sentence)
To talk about venture capital. (a sentence fragment)
The manager objected to the new policy. (a complete sentence)
Because it would inconvenience too many employees. (a sentence fragment)

To correct sentence fragments, join them to another sentence, or rewrite them so that they express a complete thought.

Examples:
Mr. Jones will meet with Mr. Smith to talk about venture capital.

The manager objected to the new policy. He was concerned that it would inconvenience too many employees.

Note: Intentional fragments are sometimes used in newsletter, newspaper, or magazine articles to answer a question in the previous sentence or for emphasis or shock value.

Example: What are the natural enemies of laptop computers? Theft and accidental damage.

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This edition was adapted from our Business Grammar Program.

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