complete sentences fragments run-on sentences compound sentences

Complete Sentences

Complete SentencesFragmentsRun-On SentencesCompound Sentences

Complete Sentences

A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate that work together to make a complete thought.

Bobby smiled until he thought his face would crack.

Sentence Fragments

A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself.

Sentence Fragments

may locate something in time and place, but lack a subject-verb relationship.

Last Saturday after the ballgame at the ice cream shop.

Sentence Fragments

may describe something, but have no subject-verb relationship.

Shooting just before the buzzer rang and hoping to score the winning point.

Sentence Fragments

may have most of the makings of a sentence but still be missing an important part of a verb string.

Some of the girls going together to the mall.

Sentence Fragments

may have a subject-verb relationship, but cannot stand by itself.

Even though she was the prettiest girl and had a great talent presentation.

Run-On Sentences A RUN-ON SENTENCE

(sometimes called a fused sentence) has at least two parts, either one of which can stand by itself, but the two parts have been connected together with one or two words instead of becoming two sentences. The run-on could be corrected with a semi-colon.

Run-On Sentences Remember: The length of a

sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; even a very short sentence could be a run-on.

The books are heavy don’t carry them.

The books are heavy. Don’t carry them.

Run-On Sentences

When two clauses are connected by only a comma, they are a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice.

The books are heavy, don’t carry them.

Run-On Sentences happen

when an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause.

The game is going to be very close you have to play your best.

Run-On Sentences happen

when two clauses are connected by words such as however, moreover, nevertheless.

Mother packed my lunch today however she forgot to put in my desert.

Ready for a drill?

Is it a complete sentence, run-on, or a fragment? Read each of the following and click your choice!

Walking through the dark forest.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

Bob was running in the yard.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

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Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

This is my first ball game but I think we will win.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

All of the other girls at the mall.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

I have walked to school everyday.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

My arm hurts a little.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

A big crowd of people have arrived.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

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Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

Mother washed the clothes and she waxed the floor.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

What a day for a party!

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

Even though it was late and very dark.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

The babies are crying and they are sleepy.

a) Complete Sentenceb) Fragment c) Run-On

Sorry! Click the arrow below to try again.

Yes, that is correct! Click the arrow to move on.

Combining Sentences Sentences have to be

combined to avoid the boredom that would happen if all sentences were the same length.

A Compound Sentence

contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator. The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.)

Ready for practice?

On your paper combine each pair of sentences. A suggested answer will be supplied.

Danny ran a mile.

John fell down and dropped out.

ANSWER

Danny ran a mile, but John fell down and dropped out.

Compound sentence:

Susan ate dinner.

Mother fixed the dessert.

ANSWER

Susan ate dinner, and Mother fixed the dessert.

Compound sentence:

I went to the game.

Joey went skating.

ANSWER

I went to the game, so Joey went skating.

Compound sentence:

You can come with us.

We are leaving early.

ANSWER

You can come with us, but we are leaving early.

Compound sentence:

He studied late.

Father told him it was time for bed.

ANSWER

He studied late, so Father told him it was time for bed.

Compound sentence:

The boys got into a fight.

The teacher sent them to the office.

ANSWER

The boys got into a fight, thus the teacher sent them to the office.

Compound sentence:

Online Complete Sentence Activities

Fragment Complete Sentence Quiz

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Repairing Sentence FragmentsRepairing Run-On SentencesQuiz 1 Combining SentencesQuiz 2 Combining SentencesQuiz 3 Combining SentencesQuiz 3 FragmentsQuiz 2 FragmentsRun-On Sentence Quiz

Run-On Sentence Quiz II