Fragments, Run-ons, and
Sentences
A sentence fragment is a group of
words that only “looks” like a
sentence. It does not express a
complete thought because
important information is missing.
Examples of fragments verses sentences:
Thinks roller coasters are cool. (no subject)
Martina thinks roller coasters are cool.
Not my favorite type of ride. (no subject or
verb)
Roller coasters are not my favorite type of
ride.
Examples of run-on verses sentences:
The evening was warm and it was time to catch fireflies.
(run-on)
The evening was warm. It was time to catch fireflies.
The evening was warm, and it was time to catch fireflies.
The evening was warm; it was time to catch fireflies.
There are three ways to fix a run-on sentence. You can put
a period, add a comma with a FANBOY, or use a
semicolon.
Practice
(1) On the bus ride to school. (2) Daniel was carrying
grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets in his hat.
(3) Carmen took Daniel's hat. (4) When she put it on
her head, all the kids started to laugh. (5) All the
insects fell into her hair and on her shirt.
Which sentence is a fragment sentence?
a. 2
b. 4
c. 5
d. 1
Practice
(1) On the bus ride to school. (2) Daniel was carrying
grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets in his hat.
(3) Carmen took Daniel's hat. (4) When she put it on
her head, all the kids started to laugh. (5) All the
insects fell into her hair and on her shirt.
Which sentence is a fragment sentence?
a. 2
b. 4
c. 5
d. 1
The football team members won their last game they
will win their next game.
What is the BEST way to change this run-on
sentence into a complete sentence?
a. The football team members won their last game,
and they will win their next game.
b. The football team members, won their last game,
they will win their next game.
c. The football team members won their last game,
they will win their next game.
d. The football team members won their last game
and they will win their next game.
The football team members won their last game they
will win their next game.
What is the BEST way to change this run-on
sentence into a complete sentence?
a. The football team members won their last game,
and they will win their next game.
b. The football team members, won their last game,
they will win their next game.
c. The football team members won their last game,
they will win their next game.
d. The football team members won their last game
and they will win their next game.
(1) Meghan left her house to spend the night with her
friend Leslie. (2) They stayed up all night listening to
music. (3) When Leslie put on her favorite CD. (4) She
said, "That's kids' music." (5) After she said this, Leslie
was hurt and told Meghan to go back home.
Which sentence is a fragment sentence?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 5
d. 1
(1) Meghan left her house to spend the night with her
friend Leslie. (2) They stayed up all night listening to
music. (3) When Leslie put on her favorite CD. (4) She
said, "That's kids' music." (5) After she said this, Leslie
was hurt and told Meghan to go back home.
Which sentence is a fragment sentence?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 5
d. 1
Dinner and dessert from scratch.
How should the sentence fragment above BEST be
written?
a. Dinner and dessert from scratch a surprise.
b. Dinner and dessert from scratch while laughing.
c. Margaret cooked dinner and dessert from
scratch.
d. After dinner and dessert from scratch.
Dinner and dessert from scratch.
How should the sentence fragment above BEST be
written?
a. Dinner and dessert from scratch a surprise.
b. Dinner and dessert from scratch while laughing.
c. Margaret cooked dinner and dessert from
scratch.
d. After dinner and dessert from scratch.
Picked Paolo and me.
How should the sentence fragment above BEST be
written?
a. Picked Paolo and me for the new writing
assistants.
b. Wanted to win the game, so picked Paolo and
me.
c. To have the best team, Trevor picked Paolo and
me.
d. Picked Paolo and me, after arguing for many
days.
Picked Paolo and me.
How should the sentence fragment above BEST be
written?
a. Picked Paolo and me for the new writing
assistants.
b. Wanted to win the game, so picked Paolo and
me.
c. To have the best team, Trevor picked Paolo and
me.
d. Picked Paolo and me, after arguing for many
days.