Sentence Fragments
and Run-On Sentences
“Don’t Break My Heart……”
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Avoiding sentence fragments, run-on
sentences, and commas splices is VERY
important in academic writing.

While famous writers may sometimes use
sentence fragments and run-on sentences
to produce certain effects, fragments and
run-on sentences should be avoided in
academic coursework.
Sentence Fragments
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A sentence fragment is a group of words
intended to be a sentence. However, it may
be lacking a subject, a verb, or both.
A sentence must have a subject, must have a
verb, and must be a complete thought.
Writing a sentence fragment is a lot like
wearing a shirt with no pants!! You need both
to make a complete outfit!
Sentence Fragments
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Went on a vacation to Italy. Incorrect
 This is a sentence fragment because there is no subject.
Who went on a vacation?
Lea went on a vacation to Italy. Correct
In his gymnastics class, Stephen. Incorrect
 This is a sentence fragment because there is no verb.
What did Stephen do?
In his gymnastics class, Stephen scored a perfect ten.
Correct
Sentence Fragments

When Kathleen gave advice. Incorrect
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This is a subordinate clause and must be joined to
an independent clause. There is a subject and a
verb in this clause, but it does not express a
complete thought.
When Kathleen gave advice, I made sure to
take notes. Correct
We’ve got to put a stop
to this!
Have you ever talked to a
person who just goes on
and on and on?
 A run-on sentence occurs
when two independent clauses are joined incorrectly
with no punctuation or the wrong punctuation.
 There are two types of run-on sentences.
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Fused sentences
Comma splices
Run-on Sentences
Fused sentences occur when two
sentences are combined with no punctuation.
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Brooke has a Chihuahua named Cotter Monica has
two Chihuahuas named Taco and Paco. Incorrect
Brooke has a Chihuahua named Cotter, and Monica
has two Chihuahuas named Taco and Paco.
Correct
Run-on Sentences

A comma splice occurs when two sentences
are incorrectly joined by a comma and no
coordinating conjunction.
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Katherine likes to rap catchy lyrics on the way to
work, Donald is a poet who writes rap lyrics.
Incorrect
Katherine likes to rap catchy lyrics on the way to
work; Donald is a poet who writes rap lyrics.
Correct
Revising Run-on Sentences
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There are four ways to revise run-on
sentences.
 Separate the sentences
 Add a comma and a coordinating
conjunction
 Add a semicolon or a semicolon and
conjunctive adverb
 Restructure the sentence
Revising Run-on Sentences

Separate the sentences.
Michelle went shopping she bought all of the cute
dresses in the store. Incorrect
 Michelle went shopping. She bought all
of the cute dresses in the store. Correct
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Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
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Sonya edits many papers she needs to plant a forest
to replenish the trees she has killed. Incorrect
Sonya edits many papers, so she needs to plant a
forest to replenish the trees she has killed. Correct
Revising Run-on Sentences
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Add a semicolon
Cassie is a math guru she shares her vast
knowledge. Incorrect
 Cassie is a math guru; she
shares her vast knowledge. Correct
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or a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb.
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Wendy is our fearless leader she has our backs.
Incorrect
 Wendy is our fearless leader; therefore,
she has our backs. Correct
Revising Run-on Sentences
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Restructure the sentence.
Suzanne does not want to hurt writers’
feelings she just tells the truth. Incorrect
 Even though she tells the truth,
Suzanne does not want to hurt writers’ feelings. Correct
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Josh is never wrong he is mistaken. Incorrect
 Though Josh is mistaken,
he is never wrong. Correct

“Don’t break my heart….”
 Use
these rules and examples to
avoid sentence fragments, run-on
sentences, and comma splices in
your writing.