Sentences: Fragments, Complete, and Run-on

English Language Arts, Grade 8

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 * 0 # M2M2 C 1 GHI PQRS Sentences Have Perfect Punctuation A sentence is an independent clause that expresses a complete thought. It starts with a capital letter and ends with a terminal punctuation mark (a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark). We bought peaches and made peach cobbler for dessert. Turn left at the next corner. (The subject You is understood in a command.) Sentence Fragments Have Too Much Punctuation A sentence fragment starts with a capital letter and ends with a terminal punctuation mark, but it does not state a complete thought. You read it, realize something is missing, and say, “Huh?” A fragment can often be repaired by adding it to the sentence before or after it. If you think that’s bad. (Note how the fragment leaves you hanging.) Wait until you hear what happened next! Fixed: If you think that’s bad, wait until you hear what happened next! Ninety percent of American adults. Own cell phones. Which is almost everyone. Fixed: Ninety percent of American adults own cell phones, which is almost everyone. Run-ons Sentences Have Wrong or Too Little Punctuation A run-on sentence consists of two independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma splice is the most common kind of run-on sentence. It happens when a comma is used to join two sentences together without a conjunction. A run-on can often be repaired by changing the comma to a semicolon or by adding a conjunction. More than 100 people applied for the position, only three were interviewed. Fixed: More than 100 people applied for the position, but only three were interviewed. The Thanksgiving Day football game has been rescheduled to Saturday Hector can’t go. Fixed: The Thanksgiving Day football game has been rescheduled to Saturday; therefore, Hector can’t go. Sentences: Fragments, Complete & Run-on Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4084
Read each item. Identify it as a complete sentence (C), a fragment (F), or a run-on (R). Write the appropriate letter on the line. _____ 1. Where is it? _____ 2. If you’d like. _____ 3. He cried all the way home I think he was afraid. _____ 4. My best friend Madison moved to Buffalo I really miss her. _____ 5. Behind the barn. _____ 6. There was a warm, gentle breeze. _____ 7. Tim failed because the test was difficult, he hadn’t studied. _____ 8. The three people on the raft. _____ 9. Sunburned by the hot sun. _____ 10. Last weekend my dad bought me a puppy. _____ 11. Emily asked Tony if he knew where her pen was. _____ 12. Clay delivers newspapers with his bike, his route is on Maple Street. Arrival 10:00 am Speed Turn right on Hedgehog Lane 35 mph AG Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 92-4084 Sentences: Fragments, Complete & Run-on