Run-ons and Fragments Hurray!

A clause A clause has a subject and a verb.

An independent clause Can stand alone as a complete sentence. It has one subject and at least one verb. Mary cried.

A dependent clause Cannot stand alone as a sentence because it includes a word that makes it an incomplete thought (like a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun.) Because her parrot died.

A dependent clause A dependent clause must be attached to an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Mary cried because her parrot died. Because her parrot died, Mary cried.

Combine dependent and independent clause. Mary cried because her parrot died. Because her parrot died, Mary cried.

Some subordinate conjunctions although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even though, if, in order that, once, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether, while.

Relative pronouns who, what, whom, whoever, whomever, whose, which, whichever, whatever, that

A phrase A group of words that does not include both a subject and a verb. into the darkest night with his saddest expression going wildly off by herself running away in terror

Fragments By themselves, dependent clauses and phrases do not express complete thoughts. By themselves, dependent clauses and phrases will be fragments, or incomplete sentences.

Run-ons More than one independent clause combined without the word and but or so or a semi-colon will be a run-on.

Run-ons Casey chased Joe, Joe cried and ran.

Run-ons Too many independent clauses combined with and, but, or, so will also be a run-on.

Run-ons Casey chased Joe, and Joe cried and ran, but Casey was faster, so she caught Joe, and Joe didn’t know what to do, so he tried to get his phone to call for help, but Casey took his phone and threw it in the river.

Is this a run-on, fragment, or complete sentence? Boris had always wanted a pink horse, he finally found one after altering his grandmother’s largest dress.

Is this a run-on, fragment, or complete sentence? Larry waited patiently for the unsuspecting campers to return from their hike.

Is this a run-on, fragment, or complete sentence? Jackson tried to resist Lee’s mind-control, but couldn’t. Because Lee was a master.

Is this a run-on, fragment, or complete sentence? Using all his strength, Ty knocked his sister to the ground, no one saw what he did.

Correct this run-on sentence. This pig is delicious, I will have to ask Mom for more ham sandwiches.

Correct this run-on sentence. Lucy’s hands were very dirty, her sink was full of ducks, so she could never wash.

Correct this run-on sentence. Rufus was a zealous protector of Zoe, he never let the paparazzi get near her.

Correct this fragment. Quickly dipping his head.

Correct this fragment. The most glorious work of pig art ever.

Correct this fragment. With an innocent glance.