Notes

Outline

Complete Sentences A Project LA Activity 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.

Sentence Fragments A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself.

Sentence Fragments may locate something in time and place, but lack a subject-verb relationship.

Sentence Fragments may describe something, but have  no subject-verb relationship.

Sentence Fragments may have most of the makings of a sentence but still be missing an important part of a verb string.

Sentence Fragments may have a subject-verb relationship, but cannot stand by itself.

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.  The run-on could be corrected with a semi-colon.

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.

Run-On Sentences When two clauses are connected by only a comma, they are a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice.

Run-On Sentences happen when an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause.

Run-On Sentences happen when two clauses are connected by words such as however, moreover, nevertheless.

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. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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Bob was running in the yard. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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This is my first ball game but I think we will win. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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All of the other girls at the mall. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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I have walked to school everyday. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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My arm hurts a little. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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A big crowd of people have arrived. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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Mother washed the clothes and she waxed the floor. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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What a day for a party! Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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Even though it was late and very dark. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On

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The babies are crying and they are sleepy. Complete Sentence Fragment 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 contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator. The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.)

Ready for practice? On your paper combine each pair of sentences.  A suggested answer will be supplied.

Danny ran a mile. John fell down and dropped out.

Danny ran a mile, but John fell down and dropped out.

Susan ate dinner. Mother fixed the  dessert.

Susan ate dinner, and Mother fixed the  dessert.

I went to the game. Joey went skating.

I went to the game, so Joey went skating.

You can come with us. We are leaving early.

You can come with us, but we are leaving early.

He studied late. Father told him it was time for bed.

He studied late, so Father told him it was time for bed.

The boys got into a fight. The teacher sent them to the office.

The boys got into a fight, thus the teacher sent them to the office.

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