Fragments and Run-on Sentences

Which of these best describes a sentence fragment?

• A sentence that is very long and complicated.

• A group of words missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

• Two complete sentences joined together with only a comma.

• A sentence that expresses a strong command.

Answer explanation

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence because it lacks one of the essential components: a subject, a predicate (verb), or a complete idea. The other options describe a complex sentence, a comma splice, or an imperative sentence.

True or False: A run-on sentence happens when two or more complete sentences are joined together without the right punctuation or connecting word.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is the definition of a run-on sentence. It incorrectly combines independent clauses, either with no punctuation (a fused sentence) or just a comma (a comma splice).

Which of the following is a sentence fragment because it's missing a subject?

• She loves to read fantasy novels.

• The dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.

• Ran all the way to the bus stop without stopping.

• After the game, we all went out for pizza.

Answer explanation

This is a fragment because it has a verb ('Ran') but doesn't state who or what performed the action. The other options are all complete sentences with both a subject and a verb.

Which of these is a fragment because it's a dependent clause that can't stand alone?

• My friend gave me a new video game for my birthday.

• Because I forgot my lunch money at home.

• To win the championship tournament.

• Our team practiced every single day after school.

Answer explanation

This is a dependent clause fragment. The word 'Because' makes the clause dependent on another idea to be complete; by itself, it leaves the reader wondering 'what happened because you forgot?'

True or False: The following sentence is a comma splice: 'My brother is great at basketball, he practices every single day.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is a comma splice because two independent clauses ('My brother is great at basketball' and 'he practices every single day') are incorrectly joined with only a comma.

Which sentence is a 'fused sentence'—a run-on with no punctuation between complete thoughts?

• I got an A on the test, so I was really happy.

• I got an A on the test I was really happy.

• I got an A on the test; I was really happy.

• Because I got an A on the test, I was really happy.

Answer explanation

A fused sentence smashes two complete thoughts together with no punctuation. The other options show correct ways to connect the ideas using a conjunction, a semicolon, or subordination.

True or False: The following sentence is a run-on: 'Although it's a long book with many characters and a complicated plot, The Lord of the Rings is my favorite novel because the story is so epic.'

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is a long but grammatically correct complex sentence. The use of subordinating conjunctions ('Although', 'because') properly connects the clauses, so it is not a run-on.

Choose the best word to fix this run-on by making one part a dependent clause: _____ he studied hard, he was still nervous about the final exam.

• And

• So

• Although

• Then

Answer explanation

The subordinating conjunction 'Although' creates a dependent clause that shows a contrast with the main clause. This correctly and logically connects the two ideas into one complex sentence.

What is the most effective way to combine these two ideas? 'The new skate park is finally open. It's always crowded on weekends.'

• The new skate park is finally open, it's always crowded on weekends.

• The new skate park is finally open; however, it's always crowded on weekends.

• The new skate park is finally open and crowded on weekends.

• The new skate park is finally open, and it's always crowded on weekends.

Answer explanation

This option uses a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb ('however') to show the contrast between the park being open and the downside of it being crowded. This creates the most sophisticated and clear connection.

Read the following sentences. Which option best revises the errors? 'My family went on a road trip last summer. We drove all the way to the Grand Canyon. An amazing sight to see. We took hundreds of photos, the memories will last forever.'

• Fix the fragment: 'An amazing sight to see' should be 'It was an amazing sight to see.'

• Fix the run-on: 'photos, the memories' should be 'photos, and the memories'.

• Fix the run-on: 'photos, the memories' should be 'photos. The memories'.

• All of the above are correct ways to fix the errors.

Answer explanation

This passage contains both a phrase fragment ('An amazing sight to see.') and a comma splice run-on. All three options identify a valid way to correct one of the errors, demonstrating a full understanding of how to edit for sentence boundaries.