Sentence Faults

A sentence must be or contain at least one independent clause (IC), one containing a subject and a predicate verb. When independent clauses are combined, they must be joined by punctuation: a comma and a FANBOYS word or a semicolon (occasionally with a transition word or phrase such as "however," "none the less," etc., but not a subordinating conjunction such as "if," "when," "because," "although," etc.).

• Sentence fragment (SF): A group of words that begin with a capital letter and end with a period, but lacking a subject or a predicate verb or both.

  The hurricane caused considerable damage. Blew down the entire house.

  It has been my best car ever. My 1997 Saturn SL2.

  I like to travel to Pasadena. Where the surroundings are beautiful and the people are friendly.
   

• Comma splice (CS): Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a FANBOYS word (a semicolon should be used in such a case).

  The hurricane caused considerable damage, it blew down the entire house.
   

• Fused sentence (FS) or "run-on" sentence: Two independent clauses joined with no punctuation whatsoever.

  I have had my Saturn SL2 for over ten years it is the best car I have ever had.

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