Complete Sentences, Fragments, and Run-ons!
What is the difference between a fragment and a complete sentence?
Complete sentences A complete sentence contains a subject, a verb and a predicate. What is a subject? A subject is the noun that is the topic of the sentence. What is a verb? A verb is the action done by the subject. What is a predicate? A predicate completes the thought.
The Frog Prince danced with the love of his life. Need an example? The Frog Prince danced with the love of his life. SUBJECT: The Frog Prince VERB: danced PREDICATE: with the love of his life.
Complete Subjects A complete subject includes: Example: A noun Any adjectives describing the noun Example: The hairy mouse ran for cover. Noun: mouse COMPLETE SUBJECT: the hairy mouse
Complete Predicate A complete predicate includes: Example: The verb AND the predicate Example: The hairy mouse ran for cover. Verb: ran Predicate: for cover COMPLETE PREDICATE: ran for cover
Fragments A fragment does not contain one of the essential elements. It is missing an essential part! Example: Because the dog never ate. Didn’t want to leave the park.
Do I have a fragment? Step One: Locate the VERB Step Two: Locate WHO or WHAT is doing that verb. Step Three: See if there is a complete thought/predicate. If you answered NO to ANY of these questions, you have a FRAGMENT!
And yawned loudly enough to make everyone in class turn around. Missing a noun. Who yawned? The boy sitting on the fire escape dropping water balloons on the pedestrians below. Missing a verb. What did the boy do? After Gabriel ate half a box of Devil Dogs. Missing a predicate. What happened after Gabriel ate the Devil Dogs?
Run-On/Fused Sentence A run-on (or fused) sentences contains too many of the essential elements These sentences have two subjects, two verbs, and two predicates! Example: The game is going to be very close you have to play your best.
Ready for a drill? Is it a complete sentence, run-on, or a fragment? Read each of the following and write down your choice!!
Walking through the dark forest. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
Bob was running in the yard. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
This is my first ball game but I think we will win. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
All of the other girls at the mall. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
I have walked to school everyday. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused My arm hurts a little. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
A big crowd of people have arrived. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
Mother washed the clothes and she waxed the floor. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused What a day for a party! Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused
Even though it was late and very dark. Complete Sentence Fragment Run-On/Fused