Fragments and Run-ons

Review: Sentence fragments and run-ons

• Cannot stand alone

• Must be attached to an independent clause

• Starts with a subordinate conjunction

Example:

Because of the rain

Dependent Clause

• Complete sentence

• Can stand alone

Example:  

The kids walked the dog to the park.

Independent Clause

FIRST: Remember the clauses

Multiple Choice

Is this an independent or dependent clause?:

He smiled at her

• Independent clause (can be a complete sentence)

• Dependent clause (cannot be a complete sentence)

Multiple Choice

Is this an independent or dependent clause?:

I picked a flower for you

• Independent clause (can be a complete sentence)

• Dependent clause (cannot be a complete sentence)

Multiple Choice

Is this an independent or dependent clause?:

If my mom is nice

• Independent clause (can be a complete sentence)

• Dependent clause (cannot be a complete sentence)

Multiple Choice

Is this an independent or dependent clause?:

The dog likes the blanket

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Multiple Choice

Is this an independent or dependent clause?:

While my teacher taught me to read

• Independent clause

• Dependent clause

Sentences are a group of words that have a subject, predicate, and make up a complete thought or statement. 

If a sentence does not hit all 3 of the criteria, it is more than likely a sentence fragment!

Sentence fragments can makesomeone’s writing hard to understand.​

Sentence Fragments

How to fix them:

2 independent clauses get squished together

• Missing the correct punctuation

• Can be a long or short sentence

Examples:

All the parents came to the school play they all enjoyed it.

My mom visits the museum, she can spend hours looking at the exhibits.

Run-On Sentences

• Separate the independent clauses with correct punctuation (? . !)

• Use a comma and a FANBOYS to create a compound sentence.

• Separate the independent clauses with a semi-colon (;)

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

Over the weekend

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

While the teacher was grading

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

Over the weekend I cooked the meals for the week I also did the laundry Kyle mopped the floors.

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

Over the weekend, I cooked the meals for the week, and I also did the laundry while Kyle mopped the floors.

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

I watched some anime.

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

After watching some anime

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

I was supposed to be grading the anime was too distracting.

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence

Multiple Choice

Is this a sentence fragment, run-on, or a complete sentence:

I was supposed to be grading, but the anime was too distracting.

• Sentence Fragment

• Run-on Sentence

• Complete Sentence