I was told to fix my run-on sentences and sentence fragments. I don't understand what that means.

Answer

sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that cannot stand on it's own. It is not a complete thought.

Example: When Brenda first met Billy.

Solution:

  1. Simply complete the thought: When Brenda first met Billy, she thought he was a major geek.

A run-on sentence is when two or more simple sentences run together without correct punctuation.

Example: Joe plays varsity football he is the team's starting quarterback.

Solutions:

  1. Break it into two sentences: Joe plays varsity football. He is the team's starting quarterback.
  2. Separate the sentences with a semicolon: Joe plays varsity football; he is the team's starting quarterback.
  3. Use a connecting word (and, or, yet, so, for, nor, but) to form a compound sentence: Joe plays varsity football, and he is the team's starting quarterback.

Another type of run-on sentence is called a coma splice which you can find more information about by clicking here.


The English Composition Guide has many useful resources, one of which is an Online Guide to Grammar. Using drop-down boxes you can select subjects or issues that you need help with (look under 'Word and Sentence Level' for 'Fragments' and 'Run-on Sentences'). Once you select a subject, the site provides you with a definition and examples of the topic. Toward the bottom of the topic page you will find links to quizzes so that you can test yourself on what you have learned.

  • Last Updated Feb 27, 2024
  • Views 975
  • Answered By Kerry Louvier

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