Run-on Sentences and Fragments

Run-on sentences and sentence fragments are common grammar errors that affect clarity. Understanding the difference and how to fix them helps students write complete, coherent sentences.

Definitions

• Run-on sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Example: I went to the store I bought some bread.
• Sentence fragment: An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought. Example: Running down the street.

Rules / Guidelines

Run-on Sentences

• Use a period to separate independent clauses: I went to the store. I bought some bread.
• Use a semicolon for closely related independent clauses: I went to the store; I bought some bread.
• Use a comma + coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): I went to the store, and I bought some bread.

Sentence Fragments

• Ensure every sentence has at least one subject and one verb.
• Complete thoughts are necessary; check if the sentence answers “what happened?” or “what is being described?”.
• Combine fragments with nearby sentences if appropriate.

Examples

Run-on: I love pizza I eat it every week.
Corrected: I love pizza. I eat it every week.
Run-on with semicolon: I love pizza; I eat it every week.
Fragment: Because I was late.
Corrected: I was late because I missed the bus.

Practice Exercises

1. Fix the run-on: She studied all night she passed the exam.
2. Fix the fragment: Walking to the park.
3. Correct the run-on using a comma + conjunction: He likes coffee he doesn’t like tea.
4. Identify if it is a fragment or run-on: Went to the store and bought apples.
5. Fix the fragment: When the movie ended.

Answers / Explanation

1. She studied all night. She passed the exam. or She studied all night; she passed the exam.
2. Walking to the park, I saw a dog. or I was walking to the park.
3. He likes coffee, but he doesn’t like tea.
4. Fragment: "Went to the store and bought apples." needs a subject → "I went to the store and bought apples."
5. When the movie ended, we went home.