Complete Sentences Complete Sentences Fragments Run-On Sentences Compound Sentences
Complete Sentences A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate that work together to make a complete thought. Bobby smiled until he thought his face would crack.
Fragment Sentences A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself.
Fragment Sentences may locate something in time and place, but lack a subjectverb relationship. Last Saturday after the ballgame at the ice cream shop.
Fragment Sentences may describe something, but have no subject-verb relationship. Shooting just before the buzzer rang and hoping to score the winning point.
Fragment Sentences may have most of the makings of a sentence but still be missing an important part of a verb string. Some of the girls going together to the mall.
Fragment Sentences may have a subject-verb relationship, but cannot stand by itself. Even though she was the prettiest girl and had a great talent presentation.
Run-On Sentences A RUN-ON SENTENCE (sometimes called a fused sentence) has at least two parts, either one of which can stand by itself, but the two parts have been connected together with one or two words instead of becoming two sentences.
Run-On Sentences Remember: The length of a sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; even a very short sentence could be a run-on. The books are heavy don t carry them. The books are heavy. Don t carry them.
Run-On Sentences When two clauses are connected by only a comma, they are a runon sentence that is called a comma-splice. The books are heavy, don t carry them.
Run-On Sentences happen when an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause. The game is going to be very close you have to play your best.
Run-On Sentences happen when two clauses are connected by words such as however, moreover, nevertheless. Mother packed my lunch today however she forgot to put in my desert.
Ready for a drill? Is it a complete sentence, run-on, or a fragment? Read each of the following and click your choice!
Walking through the dark forest. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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Bob was running in the yard. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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This is my first ball game but I think we will win. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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All of the other girls at the mall. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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I have walked to school everyday. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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My arm hurts a little. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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A big crowd of people have arrived. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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Mother washed the clothes and she waxed the floor. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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What a day for a party! a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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Even though it was late and very dark. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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The babies are crying and they are sleepy. a)complete Sentence b)fragment c)run-on
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Combining Sentences Sentences have to be combined to avoid the boredom that would happen if all sentences were the same length.
A Compound Sentence consists of two or more independent clauses. That means that there are at least two units of thought within the sentence, either one of which can stand by itself as its own sentence.
Compound Sentences Words that combine are called conjunctions. The two most common conjunctions are and and but. (The others are or, for, yet, and so.) Susan likes to read. She likes to play piano. Susan likes to read and play the piano.
Ready for practice? On your paper combine each pair of sentences. A suggested answer will be supplied.
Danny ran a mile. John ran a mile. ANSWER
Compound sentence: Danny and John ran a mile.
We ate dinner. We had dessert. ANSWER
Compound sentence: We ate dinner and had dessert.
I went to the game. Joey went skating. ANSWER
Compound sentence: I went to the game, but Joey went skating.
You can come with us. We are leaving early. ANSWER
Compound sentence: You can come with us, but we are leaving early.
He studied late. He finally went to bed. ANSWER
Compound sentence: He studied late but finally went to bed.
Canada is a beautiful country. It is cold in the winter. ANSWER
Compound sentence: Canada is a beautiful country, but it is cold in the winter.