Run-on & Fragment Practice Problems

When two or more sentences aren't joined correctly because they don't use proper conjunctions and other punctuations

Run-on Sentence

A group of words that doesn't express a complete thought

Fragment

Contains a subject and a predicate (verb)

Complete Sentence

FANBOYS

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so = coordinating conjunctions that (with a comma) can join two independent clauses

The first evening of rehearsal was a fiasco no one knew his lines.

Run-on

Edit: The first evening of rehearsal was a fiasco, and no one knew his lines.

Reading the book with the raised lettering on the cover.

Fragment

Edit: Kelly was reading the book with the raised lettering on the cover.

Suddenly, silence reigned after a long violent morning.

Complete Sentence

Subject= silence

Verb= reigned

Up the stairs trudged three children they were being made to go to bed

Run-on

Edit: Up the stairs trudged three children. They were being made to go to bed

On the ledge far above us

Fragment

Edit: On the ledge far above us sat a curious deer with antlers.

I studied for my chemistry exam for six hours, I still did not pass it.

Run-on

Edit: I studied for my chemistry exam for six hours; I still did not pass it.

Can the boys see well enough by the dawn's early light to find fire wood?

Complete Sentence

Subject= boys

Verb= see

Since we had no money and no transportation.

Fragment = Dependent/Subordinate Clause

Edit: Since we had no money and no transportation, we walked the entire way.

On the desk a nail file which he used to open letters

Fragment

Edit: On the desk WAS a nail file which he used to open letters

High grades do not come easily, but they are earned by hard work and perseverance.

Complete Sentence

(connecting two complete sentences with a comma + FANBOYS conjunction)

I went in, I bought the gift, I drove straight home.

Run-on

Edit: I went in, I bought the gift, AND I drove straight home.

America, the greatest country in the world.

Fragment

Edit: America IS the greatest country in the world.

Having finished her dinner, Joy sat down to an evening of television.

Complete Sentence

Subject: Joy

Predicate: sat

He is not an exceptional student, he is only average.

Run-on

Edit: He is not an exceptional student. He is only average.

Chirping in the trees

Fragment

Edit: The birds are chirping in the trees.