Complete Sentences vs Fragments and Run-Ons

Complete Sentences vs Fragments and Run-Ons

Open Ended

Before we get started, what do you think makes a sentence a complete sentence?

​Complete Sentences

​A complete sentence needs to have a subject and a predicate (verb).

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​A complete sentence also needs to express a complete thought.

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It also has proper capitalization and punctuation.

Multiple Choice

The pencil broke in my hand.
Which part is the PREDICATE?

• The pencil
• broke in my hand.

Multiple Choice

The thunderstorm brought lots of rain.
Which part is the PREDICATE?

• The thunderstorm
• brought lots of rain.

Multiple Choice

Sandra Jones is my cousin.
Which part is the PREDICATE?

• Sandra Jones
• is my cousin.

​Sentence Fragments

​A fragment is a piece of something.

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​Sentence fragments are part of a sentence, but are either missing a subject or a predicate.

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​They could also just be an incomplete thought.

Multiple Choice

Fragment or Complete: The dog waited for dinner.

• sentence fragment

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment or Complete: Waited for dinner.

• sentence fragment

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment or Complete: The dog waited.

• sentence fragment

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment or Complete: For dinner.

• sentence fragment

• complete sentence

​Run-On Sentences

​A run-on sentence joins two or more thoughts (clauses) without a conjunction/proper punctuation.

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​It is NOT simply a long sentence.

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​They need to be separated into two sentences or combined properly.

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: I really like going to the zoo to see all of the animals.

• sentence fragment

• run-on sentence

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: I really like going to the zoo I get to see all of the animals.

• sentence fragment

• run-on sentence

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: I really like.

• sentence fragment

• run-on sentence

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: I go to the zoo.

• sentence fragment

• run-on sentence

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: I go I like it.

• sentence fragment

• run-on sentence

• complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Fragment, Run-On, or Complete: Zoo is. Really cool.

• sentence fragments

• run-on sentences

• complete sentences

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below corrects this fragment: Plays in the yard.

• My dog.

• My dog plays in the yard.

• My dog plays in the yard so does my cat.

Multiple Select

Which sentence below corrects this run-on: I really like grilled cheese I also like quesadillas.

• I like grilled cheese and quesadillas.

• I really like grilled cheese. I also like quesadillas.

• I like.

​In summary...

​When we write, we need to use complete sentences. We should NOT use sentence fragments or run-ons.

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​Sentence fragments and run-on sentences need to be corrected when we proofread and edit our writing.

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