Regarding Run-On/Fragments

Question

I'd just like to say hello, as this is my very first post on these gigantic forums. This probably would have came sooner, had I not happened upon Einstein's puzzle. (Which I am still working on...)

Anyways, I have a few problems regarding run-on and fragment sentences, and I have what I think are the corrections posted in italics below them. (I used a writers handbook, and I am hoping most are correct.)

Could anyone confirm if these are, in fact, correctly revised sentences?

There are many classes offered at that time. Such as English, math, and biology.
English, Math, and Biology are a few of the classes offered at that time.

Our house is not large, there are only three bedrooms and we all share one bathroom.
Our house is not large; not only are there only three bedrooms, but we also share one bathroom.

He is an excellent actor, one of the best in Hollywood, I think do you think so too?
I think he is an excellent actor; one of the best in Hollywood. Do you think so too?

"I do not own a car," she explained, "I cannot afford to insure a vehicle right now."
"I do not own a car," she explained. "I cannot afford to insure a vehicle right now."

Any help with all or some of these would be greatly appreciated. If I have further questions regarding structure, I'll try not to hesitate to ask.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

There are [were] many classes offered at that time. Such as English, math, and biology.
English, Math, and Biology are a few of the classes offered at this time.
English, Math, and Biology were a few of the classes offered at that time.

Clive · Answer

Hi Oisin,

Welcome to the Forum.

Here are some suggestions and comments.

Could anyone confirm if these are, in fact, correctly revised sentences?

There are many classes offered at that time. Such as English, math, and biology.
English, Math, and Biology are a few of the classes offered at that time.

There are many classes offered at that time, such as English, math, and biology.

Our house is not large, there are only three bedrooms and we all share one bathroom.
Our house is not large; not only are there only three bedrooms, but we also share one bathroom.

Our house is not large. There are only three bedrooms, and we all share one bathroom.

He is an excellent actor, one of the best in Hollywood, I think do you think so too?
I think he is an excellent actor; one of the best in Hollywood. Do you think so too?

He is an excellent actor. I think he is one of the best in Hollywood. Do you think so too?

"I do not own a car," she explained, "I cannot afford to insure a vehicle right now."
"I do not own a car," she explained. "I cannot afford to insure a vehicle right now."

In a situation with direct speech, I don't consider the original words to be a run-on situation. 'She explained' is an interpolation that breaks up the direct speech in a manner that allows 'her' original two direct-speech sentences to be stated acceptably in this way. It also has the advantage of making it clear that she is the person who said the second part. In a paragraph where you are giving direct speech by several people, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of who is speaking.

However, your italicized suggestion above is fine as well.

Best wishes, Clive

Oisin · Answer

That is fantastic! Thanks, and I am sure I will have more questions, but I will make sure to take a few stabs at them before I search for more help.

As a sidenot, I love the functions on these boards, it greatly reduces the stress involved in my posting.

Oisin · Answer

Here are the last hurrah of my sentences. Actually, after reading over both of your comments last night and correcting my corrections, I went out and picked up a different writer's handbook. I found one that was a bit more detailed and hopefully, it will show in these problems. I believe that I have done most correctly, although I ran into some problems with modifier and pronoun usage. More specifically, the topics I highlighted in red were and still are, a pure guess.

If a student does not understand an assignment, they can ask the teacher for help.
If a student does not understand an assignment, he can ask the teacher for help.
There are so many similar products on the market these days that you are never quite sure which one you should buy.
There are so many similar products on the market these days that you are never quite sure which ones you should buy.
After a father hands over the car to his son, he is not always sure if he has taken good care of it for him. (This one had me stumped, as the pronouns seemed to refer to both in the end of the sentence. Could anyone let me know if there are better ways to clear up the pronoun confusion for sentences like these?)
After a father hands over the car to his son, the son is not always sure if he has taken good care of it for his father.
I worked for that store last summer, stocking shelves and serving customers, and enjoyed it very much.
I worked for a store last summer, stocking shelves and serving customers, and enjoyed it very much.
The bride, as well as her maid of honor, were photographed.
The bride, as well as her maid of honor, was photographed.
To obtain a membership, a driver's license or a credit are required.
To obtain a membership, a driver’s license or a credit card is required.
Gloria is the only one of the dancers who have the ability to step into the lead role.
Gloria is the only one of the dancers who has the ability to step into the lead role.
Having never before been in Alberta, High Prairie was a plesant surprise.
High Prairie was a pleasant surprise, having never before been in Alberta.
Waldo kept the hide of the bear he had shot in his living room.
In his living room, Waldo kept the hide of the bear he had shot.
Last summer, my mother almost butchered thirty chickens a week.
Last summer, my mother butchered almost thirty chickens a week.
Enrico was paid fifty dollars for five hours work.
Enrico was paid fifty dollars fr five hour’s work.
The farmers equipment was well used, yet showed few signs of age.
The farmer’s was well used, yet showed few sign’s of age.
The dog's paw was injured when he fought with the weasels, but its getting better now.
The dogs’ paw was injured when he fought with the weasels, but it’s getting better now.

J Lewis · Answer

To comment on just some:
I worked for that store last summer, stocking shelves and serving customers, and enjoyed it very much.
I worked for a store last summer, stocking shelves and serving customers, and enjoyed it very much.
That store and a store are both correct; it depends whether the listener knows which store you're talking about.

The bride, as well as her maid of honor, were photographed.
The bride, as well as her maid of honor, was photographed.
The second is correct; as well as her maid of honour is a parenthesis. The subject is the bride.

Having never before been in Alberta, High Prairie was a pleasant surprise.
High Prairie was a pleasant surprise, having never before been in Alberta.
The problem here is an unrelated participle: who had never been in (or to) Alberta? If you want to maintain the participle, you can say: Having never before been to Alberta, she found High Prairie a pleasant surprise (it's not the only solution).

Enrico was paid fifty dollars for five hours work.
Enrico was paid fifty dollars for five hour’s work.
For five hours' work. The Saxon genitive of a plural puts the apostrophe after the "s": it means "hours's" with the second "s" removed.

Goodman · Answer

For this particular one, I'd like to pitch in my two cents' worth...

After a father hands over the car to his son, he is not always sure if his son has taken good care of it for him.

Or to avoid confusion I personally would use passive construction. After a father hands over the car to his son, he is not always sure if his car has been taken good care of.

Janessa oetiker · Answer

Oisin,
What writers handbook did you pick up? I'm doing the same course as you and I'm having a hard time with these sentences. The handbook that I have isn't very clear.
Thanks

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