Run-ons, Fragments, & Complete Sentences

Run-ons, Fragments, & Complete Sentences

Grammar Lesson

Review: What is a Sentence?

• Remember that a sentence has a subject & a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

• Another term for a sentence is an independent clause.

Multiple Choice

This is an example of a complete sentence: 

The fluffy black cat jumped over the fence.

• True

• False

What is a Run-on?

• A run-on is created when two complete sentences (independent clauses) are joined together incorrectly (without proper punctuation) and are written as one sentence.

• Do you remember what an independent clause is? 

There are four ways of correcting run‐on sentences: 

• Separate the two sentences using a period. (Ex: Today was very hot. It was 100 degrees.) 

• Make a compound sentence.   (Ex:  Kelly likes pizza, but Ally likes to eat hot dogs.) 

• Connect the two ideas with a semi‐colon. (Ex:  It was very hot today; it was 100 degrees.) 

• Create a complex sentence.   (Ex:  Kelly likes pizza; however, Ally likes to eat hot dogs.)             

Let's look at these examples of run-ons. 

• The sky is dark, it will rain soon.

• It's spring the weather is warm flowers are blooming.

• We watched a movie and we ate popcorn and sang songs.

• School is fun I like science the best and math next.

Multiple Select

Find the run-on sentences:

• A deer streaked across the road in front of us it almost got hit.

• I went to the doctor yesterday, he gave me two shots.

• I ordered my new shirt online, I got free shipping on it, too

• Sometimes I wish I was an adult, however I also enjoy being a kid.

What is a Fragment?

• A sentence must have two characteristics

• 1. It must have a subject and a verb; 
  

• 2. It must have independence or completeness. 

• If either of these characteristics are missing from a group of words written as a sentence, the result is an error called a sentence fragment. 

Let's find the fragment

• Sylvia feels happy this morning.  Because the sun is shining. She is leaving early to take a walk in the woods. 

• What do you think the fragment is? 

Fragment Examples

• Fragment: I couldn't fall asleep.  Although I was tired. Correct : Although I was tired, I couldn't fall asleep.

• Fragment: I bought a 16-pound turkey.  Which wasn't enough food. Correct : I bought a 16-pound turkey, which wasn't enough food. 

Exit Ticket

Try the following problems

Multiple Choice

The fluffy black cat jumped over the fence.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

The sky is dark, it will rain soon.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

The cute baby giraffe next to the fence.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

When our family goes to the beach next summer.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Hamsters make great pets.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

The campfire was hot, Greg cooked marshmallows.

• fragment

• run-on

• complete sentence