Run-on or Fragment?

A fragment is a group of words that does not express a

complete thought. Something important

is missing, and you are left

wondering.

Mark and his friends. (What about them? It is missing a verb.)

Threw the baseball. (Who threw the baseball? It is missing a subject.)

FRAGMENTS

Around the corner. (Who is? What happened? It is missing a subject and a verb)

You can correct a fragment by adding the missing part of speech.

Add a subject: Rob threw the baseball.

Add a verb: Mark and his friends laughed.

Add both: A dog ran around the corner.

You will need a piece of paper and a pencil.

Put your name in the top right corner.

Number from 1-15.

Let’s practice!

Is this a sentence or a fragment?

1. Delivered newspapers in the rain.

It is a fragment. It is missing a subject.

You could correct it by adding a subject:

Tyler delivered newspapers in the rain.

Let’s practice more!

Is this a sentence or a fragment?

2. Kevin and his dog.

It is a fragment. It is missing a verb.

You could correct it by adding a verb:

Kevin and his dog went for a walk.

Let’s practice more!Is this a sentence or a fragment?

3. On Monday, we went outside for recess.

It is a sentence. It has both a subject and a verb.

On Monday, we went outside for recess.

A run-on is two thoughts put together in the same sentence. A

run-on can be fixed by adding proper punctuation to separate the two

complete thoughts.

Tyler delivered newspapers in the rain and he got very wet so he had to go home to

change his clothes.

Kevin and his dog went for a walk it was a beautiful day then they chased birds and

then they ate ice cream at the park.

On Monday we went didn’t have sports because the heat index was too high and

the weatherman said it would be dangerous for us.

Here are three examples of run-ons:

There are three ways to correct a run-on:

1. Add a period and a capital letter.

2. Add a semicolon.

3. Add a comma and a conjunction.

Tyler delivered newspapers in the rain; he got very wet, so he had to go home to change his clothes.

OR

Tyler delivered newspapers in the rain. He got very wet and had to go home to change his

clothes.

Tyler delivered newspapers in the rain and got very wet. He had to go home to change his

clothes.

All three changes are correct.

Let’s practice!Is this a sentence or a run-on?

4. The kids had a snack they ate too much.

It is a run-on. It has two separate thoughts with no

punctuation separating them. The kids had a snack; they ate too

much.or

The kids had a snack, and they ate too much.

Let’s practice more!Is this a sentence or a run-on?

5. They danced at the 7th grade dance and they texted each other that night.

It is a run-on. It has two separate thoughts with no

punctuation separating them. They danced at the 7th grade dance,

and they texted each other that night.Or

They danced at the 7th grade dance; they texted each other that night.

Let’s practice more!Is this a sentence or a run-on?

6. The pizza was hot and it smelled so good so I had to eat three pieces.

It is a run-on. It has three thoughts.The pizza was hot and smelled

so good, I had to eat three pieces.or

The pizza was hot, and it smelledso good. I had to eat three pieces.

Now that you’ve mastered identifying fragments and run-ons, let’s practice both of them! If it is a FRAGMENT write FR. If it is a RUN-ON, write RO. If it is a SENTENCE write S. Here is a quick reminder:

Fragments need either a subject, a verb, or both.

Run-ons need a period and capital letter, a semicolon, or a comma and conjunction.

Let’s practice!

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

7. Quickly ducked behind the door.

It is a fragment.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

8. The students took a test it was very hard because they didn’t listen and didn’t study.

It is a Run on.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

9. Susan and Connie quietly laughing and singing.

It is a fragment.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

10. The sunset was beautiful we sat and watched then we walked around the lake.

It is a Run on.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

11. The boys ordered a pizza, but they didn’t want olives on it.

It is a sentence.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

12. Cause it was too hot to practice football today.

It is a fragment.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

13. All the volleyball girls were late to practice because the bus had a flat tire and then ran out of gas before it made it to French.

It is a Run-on.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

14. Lunch today was very good; I decided to buy an extra slice of pizza.

It is a Sentence.

Is this a sentence, a fragment or a run-on?

15. Mrs. Hoffman announced that we wouldn’t have school next Thursday or Friday, so I think I will have a sleep-over.

It is a Sentence.

Put your paper in the drawer. Be sure your name is on it.