Sentence Fragments and Run-Ons

Complete Sentences, Sentence Fragments, and Run-On Sentences

Complete Sentences

A complete sentence expresses a thought or idea.

What makes a complete sentence?

Monroe talks to her neighbor.

A complete sentence must have a subject and a predicate. ​

​Subject

​Predicate

Monroe talks to her neighbor.

The subject is a noun that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

​Subject

Multiple Choice

What is the subject of the following sentence?

Jake made pancakes for breakfast.

• Jake

• Made

• Pancakes

• Breakfast

Monroe talks to her neighbor.

The predicate is the action verb or links the subject by telling what the subject is.

​Predicate

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate in the following sentence?

Marnie sings in the shower.

• Marnie

• Sings

• Shower

Multiple Choice

What is the predicate of the following sentence?

Kat went to the store.

• Kat

• Went

• Store

Sentence Fragment

A fragment is missing a subject or a predicate so it does not express a complete thought.

Quickly went to the store.

This sentence is missing a subject.

​Predicate

When I get home.

Fragments are dependent clauses by themselves.

When I get home I am going to have a snack.

They are corrected by adding an independent clause.

​Dependent Clause

​Independent Clause

Multiple Choice

What is the following sentence fragment missing?

The pretty girl.

• A Subject

• A Predicate

Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence is two incorrectly connected independent clauses.

I was hungry I ate lunch.

​Independent Clause

​Independent Clause

I was hungry. I ate lunch.

I was hungry, so I ate lunch.​

I was hungry;​ I ate lunch.

I was hungry before I ate lunch. ​

Run-on sentences can be corrected with:

• A period

• A comma and a coordinating conjunction

• A semicolon

• A subordinating conjunction​

I was hungry. I ate lunch.

​

I was hungry, so I ate lunch.​

​

I was hungry;​ I ate lunch.

​

I was hungry before I ate lunch. ​

Subordinating Conjunction

Comma and Coordinating Conjunction

Semicolon

Period

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a run-on sentence?

• Mandy is singing a pop song.

• Mandy is singing a song it is pop.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

• You finished your work early; you don't have to stay.

• You finished your work early you don't have to stay.

• You finished your work early, so you don't have to stay.