Run-On Sentences

Sentence fragments do not express a complete thought. 

Based on the above idea/clue, let us study some examples of sentence fragments. 

Fragment 1. Because Jane lost the match.  

(Fixing the fragment by converting it into the sentence by adding the main clause.) 

Jane was upset because she had lost the match.  (Sentence) 

Fragment 2. While Maria was reading the novel.  

(Fixing the fragment by converting it into the sentence by adding the main clause.) 

Sentence: While Maria was reading the novel, she listened to music.  

Run-on sentences combine thoughts without the proper punctuation or joining words. 

Based on the above idea/clue, let us study some examples of sentence fragments. 

Run-on 1: The teacher taught the lesson she conducted an exam. 

(Fixing run-ons by converting them into sentences by adding the joining word “and.”) 

Sentence: The teacher taught the lesson and conducted an exam.   

Run-on 2: Joseph failed the test he didn’t study. 

(Fixing run-ons by converting them into sentences by adding the joining word “Because.”) 

Sentence: Joseph failed the test because he didn’t study.  

Now, decide if the sentences below are fragments, run-ons, or complete, and write in the blanks provided. 

1. Take the burger out of the oven then let it cool. _________________ 
2. The main reason why the security guard of this company needs to be replaced immediately is obvious. ___________________ 
3. Although, Mathews was not successful. ________________________ 
4. By the time she is 18 years old. ______________________ 

Here are the answers!!!! 

1. Run-on  
2. Complete  
3. Fragment 
4. Fragment 

To understand fragments and run-ons, first, let us define a sentence and study an example. 

1. A fragment is a word group that has been broken off from a sentence. 

For example:  

• On Friday evening last week at 6:30 p.m. 

Correct sentence:  

• On Friday evening last week at 6:30 p.m., I had some tea and snacks with my friends. 

2. A run-on sentence is where two complete thoughts are stated without correct punctuation. 

A run-on sentence is a consequence of connecting sentences with a comma or connecting sentences with a mark of punctuation or using joining words.  

For example:  

• My flight was late I missed my meeting. 

Correct sentence:  

• My flight was late, so I missed my meeting. 

Sentence, Sentence Fragments, and Run-on  

1. A sentence is a cluster of words that names a person, place, or a thing and makes a statement about them. 

An independent clause is a sentence. It can stand alone and make sense.  

2. A fragment is an incomplete sentence as 

• It lacks a subject  
• lacks a verb, or 
• When only a dependent clause is stated.  

Fragments generally start with a relative pronoun or subordinate conjunction.  

When sentences start with subordinate conjunctions or relative pronouns, they must be joined to a main clause to make a complete sentence. 

3. Run-on sentences generally occur as comma splices or combined sentences.  

• A combined sentence occurs when independent clauses are linked with no punctuation. 
• A comma splice occurs when only a comma joins two independent clauses.  

Let’s study the following examples:

Fragments 

1. Although John wanted to go on a tour. 
2. Whoever goes on tour. 

Complete sentences 

1. Although John wanted to go on a tour, his doctor advised him to stay home. 
2. Whoever goes on the tour should bring their own swimsuit, dress material, etc. 

Fragments can be made into sentences by using:  

1. Subordinate conjunctions: After, although, as, as if, as though, because, before, except if, since, though, unless, until, when, whereas 
2. Relative pronouns: That, what, whatever, which, who, whoever, whom, whose 

Run-on Sentence   

Run-on sentences can be corrected in the following way. 

1. By dividing them into two complete sentences.  
2. Add a period to the end of the first sentence.  
3. And capitalize the first letter in the second sentence.  

Here is an example: 

• Richa wanted to go to the movie Richa called to find out what time the show started. (Run-on sentences) 

Corrected: Richa wanted to go to the movie. Richa called to find out what time the show started. (Sentence) 

Run-on Sentence correction rules 

Correct the following run-on sentences by using an appropriate coordinating conjunction and a comma. 

The coordinating conjunctions are and, nor, for, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS).  

Example: 

• Richa wanted to go to the movie Richa called to find out what time the show started. 

Corrected: Richa wanted to go to the movie, so she called to find out what time the show started. 

Change the following run on and fragments into complete sentences. 

1. It is important to spend time studying, rest and recreation are also important. 
2. Then she would be calm.  
3. Because there was a rule that only students of the school could check out books from the library. 
4. The teacher, having prepared the class for their exam. 
5. Generally, two to three hours, depending on how hard the task is. 

Here are the answers!!!! 

Note: Various answers are possible. 

1. It is essential to spend time studying, however, rest and recreation are also important. 
2. If given a chocolate bar, then Maria would be calm.  
3. Because there was a policy that only students of the school could check out books from the library, the visitors could not borrow books from the library. 
4. Having prepared the class for their exam, Mrs. smith declared the dates of the exam to the class. 
5. Probably five to six hours, depending on how hard the task is, the project can be completed.  

Exercise: 

Write “F” in the blanks provided if it is a fragment; otherwise, write “S” for complete sentences.  

1. While Fernandes was gone to the new store.     ___ 

2. 2. Going to Florida on a winter Break.                 ___  

3. 3. Before the tourists have to go to bed.            ___  

4. 4. Jennifer is an intelligent nurse.                        ___  

5. 5. None of us went on the retreat.                      ___  

6. 6. when he’s coming back.                                   ___ 

7. Because Jones had gone to his friend’s house late at night without asking for permission.                                                      ___  

8. 8. Xander won’t eat chocolate cakes.                   ___  

Exercise:

Decide if the below sentences are fragments, run-ons, or complete, and write in the blanks provided. 

1. That seems very interesting story.  
2. Michael needs to complete his project. 
3. My friend wearing a red shirt. 
4. Reading the new story with my elder brother.  
5. They painted my big hall they loved it.  
6. Elizabeth likes to cook she doesn’t like to sing.  
7. Susan is opening a little coffee shop.  
8. While my mom was cooking dinner.  
9. The couch was broken Ana had to get a new one.  
10. Julie saw a lion at the zoo Julie was allowed to pet it.  

Here are the answers!!!! 

1. That seems like a very interesting story.                 Sentence  
2. Michael needs to complete his project.                  Sentence  
3. My friend wearing a red shirt.                                 Fragment  

My friend wearing a red shirt wished all the new friends. (Various answers possible: changed to complete sentence)  

4. Reading the new story with my elder brother.     Fragment  

My Dad was in the room reading the new story with my elder brother. (Various answers possible: changed to complete sentence)  

5. They painted my big hall they loved it.                    Run-on 

They painted my big hall, and they loved it. (Changed to complete sentence)  

6. Elizabeth likes to cook she doesn’t like to sing.        Run-on 

Elizabeth likes to cook, but she doesn’t like to sing. (Changed to complete sentence)  

7. Susan opening a little coffee shop.                           Sentence 

8. While my mom was cooking dinner.                         Fragment 

My sister completed her homework while my mom was cooking dinner. (Various answers possible: changed to complete sentence)  

9. The couch was broken Ana had to get a new one.       Run-on 

The couch was broken, so Ana had to get a new one. (Changed to complete sentence)  

10. Julie saw a lion at the zoo she was allowed to pet it.      Run-on  

Julie saw a lion at the zoo, and she was allowed to pet it. (Changed to complete sentence)