# Fragments and Run-on Sentences: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

Fragments and run-on sentences: A complete sentence has a subject and a verb, and it finishes the idea. Rules, examples and a quick check.

Canonical: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation/fragments-and-run-on-sentences

Source: https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation/fragments-and-run-on-sentences

# Fragments and run-on sentences: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Common mistakes

## Frequently asked questions

## Keep practising

### Quick reference

### What is the rule for fragments and run-on sentences?

### Can you give examples of fragments and run-on sentences?

### What mistakes do students make in fragments and run-on sentences?

### Free English grammar test

### More in Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation

Short answer. A complete sentence has a subject and a verb, and it finishes the idea. If the subject or verb is missing, or the idea is unfinished, it is a fragment.

1 . Choose the right label. Because the shop was shut.

2 . Choose the best fix for this run-on. Hari packed his bag he left for the station.

A sentence needs a subject, a verb and a finished idea.

A complete sentence has a subject and a verb, and it finishes the idea. If the subject or verb is missing, or the idea is unfinished, it is a fragment.

Unless you leave now, you will be late. (complete) The boy who found my pen is my neighbour. (complete) We lit a lamp because the power went off.

Wrong: Rain began we ran inside. Right: Rain began, so we ran inside. (Run-on: two sentences stuck together) Wrong: Ravi waited. Until the bus came. Right: Ravi waited until the bus came. (Fix a fragment by joining it)

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Fragments: something missing . Some fragments have no verb, some have no subject, and some are only a phrase.
- Fragments: no main clause . A clause starting with although, because, if, when or unless cannot stand alone. A who, which or that clause added to a noun cannot stand alone either. Each needs a main clause.
- Run-on: two sentences stuck together . A run-on joins two complete sentences with nothing between them. A full stop or a joining word fixes it.
- Long can still be complete . A sentence with a main clause that finishes the idea is complete, even with an extra clause or phrase.
- A sentence must stand on its own . A complete sentence has a subject, a verb and a complete thought. A fragment is a piece that cannot stand alone: it has no subject, no verb, or leaves the thought hanging.
- Unless you leave now, you will be late. complete
- The boy who found my pen is my neighbour. complete
- We lit a lamp because the power went off.
- Rain began we ran inside. → Rain began, so we ran inside. Run-on: two sentences stuck together
- Ravi waited. Until the bus came. → Ravi waited until the bus came. Fix a fragment by joining it
- Mohan likes cricket his sister likes kabaddi. → Mohan likes cricket. His sister likes kabaddi. Run-ons and comma splices
- Ila was hungry, she ate. → Ila was hungry, so she ate. Run-ons and comma splices

## Key Links

- [English grammar](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar)
- [Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation)
- [Start free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [Practise 30 more questions free →](https://www.swavid.com/signup)
- [15 Free English grammar test Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/test)
- [More in Clauses, Analysis, Synthesis, Transformation All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.](https://www.swavid.com/english-grammar/clauses-analysis-synthesis-transformation)