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Here is another example of a run-on sentence:
Carol loved playing tennis she thought today was too hot.
Step 1: Notice that the sentence is actually made up of two independent clauses that are not properly connected:
Carol loved playing tennis and she thought today was too hot.
Step 2: Fix the run-on by adding a comma and a conjunction, or inserting a semicolon with a “however.”
Revision 1: Carol loved playing tennis, but she thought today was too hot.
Revision 2: Carol loved playing tennis; however, she thought today was too hot.
Rule #16: Sentence Fragments ...............................................................
How to Find: Look for the tip-off words if, since, or whether starting the sentence.
How to Fix: Remove the if, since, or whether.
Sentence Fragments are all over the Sentence Correction portion of the SAT grammar section, and occasionally
on the Error IDs and Improving Paragraphs. You have to read the sentences carefully, because the best way to
catch a sentence fragment error is to HEAR IT.
Let’s try one: Since some hotels charge hidden fees, such as a fifteen dollar resort fee tacked onto the bill, but
others are upfront with all the costs.
Step 1: Spot the tip-off word (since).
Step 2: Let your ear catch the fact that the sentence never wraps itself up. Since they charge hidden fees, but
others don’t.... so what? There would be no problem if the sentence read: Since some hotels
charge hidden fees, such as a fifteen dollar resort fee tacked onto the room bill, but others are upfront
with all the costs, my family always asks about hidden fees before making any hotel reservations.
Step 3: The simplest fix (and the only fix on an Error ID question) is to remove the “since.”
Revised sentence: Some hotels charge hidden fees, such as a fifteen dollar resort fee tacked onto the bill, but
others are upfront with all the costs.
Here’s another sentence fragment trick:
Reminiscent of the black and white film noir flicks, “Hollywoodland” starring Diane Lane, Adrien Brody, and
Ben Affleck.
Step 1: Spot the sentence fragment error. What about “Hollywoodland”? The sentence never wraps itself up.
Step 2: Change the “ing” starring to stars.
Revised sentence: Reminiscent of the black and white film noir flicks, “Hollywoodland” stars Diane Lane,
Adrien Brody, and Ben Affleck.
Watch out for those awkward “ings.” They often create sentence fragment errors!