Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on?
Key Notes:
🔹 1. Complete Sentence
A complete sentence has:
- A subject (who or what the sentence is about)
- A predicate (what the subject does or is)
- A complete thought
✅ Example:
The dog barked loudly.
→ (Subject: The dog, Predicate: barked loudly)
🔹 2. Sentence Fragment
A fragment is an incomplete sentence because:
- It is missing a subject, a predicate, or does not express a complete thought.
🚫 Examples:
- Because the weather was bad. (Not a complete thought)
- Running through the forest. (No subject)
✅ Fixed:
- We stayed inside because the weather was bad.
- She was running through the forest.
🔹 3. Run-On Sentence
A run-on is when two or more complete sentences are joined incorrectly:
- Without punctuation
- Without a conjunction
🚫 Example:
- I love to read I have many books.
✅ Fixed:
- I love to read. I have many books.
- I love to read, and I have many books.
- I love to read; I have many books.
🔹 4. How to Check a Sentence
Ask:
- Does it have a subject?
- Does it have a verb/predicate?
- Does it express a complete thought?
- Are multiple ideas joined properly?
🔹 5. Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- Read your sentence aloud – does it sound finished?
- Use punctuation like periods, commas + conjunctions, or semicolons properly.
- Avoid starting sentences with because, while, or when unless followed by a full thought.
🔹 Quick Practice:
Classify these:
- After the movie ended. → Fragment
- He played soccer, he also swam. → Run-on
- The students completed the test. → Complete Sentence
Let’s try some problems! ✍️
