Fragment Sentence
* Definition: A fragment sentence is an incomplete sentence that lacks either a subject or a verb, or both. It doesn't express a complete thought.
* Example:
* "Running through the park." (Missing a subject)
* "Went to the store." (Missing a complete verb phrase)
* "Because it was raining." (Dependent clause, not a complete thought)
* Why it's incorrect: Fragments are incomplete sentences and don't convey a full idea. They can be confusing and leave the reader unsure of the intended meaning.
Run-On Sentence
* Definition: A run-on sentence combines two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
* Example:
* "The dog barked loudly the cat ran away." (No punctuation or conjunction)
* "I went to the beach, it was a beautiful day." (Comma splice, not a proper conjunction)
* Why it's incorrect: Run-on sentences can be difficult to read and understand. They create confusion and lack the clarity of well-structured sentences.
Key Differences
| Feature | Fragment Sentence | Run-On Sentence |
|----------------|--------------------|-------------------|
| Completeness | Incomplete | Complete but joined improperly |
| Subject/Verb | Missing one or both | Has both subject and verb in each clause |
| Punctuation | N/A (incomplete) | Incorrect punctuation (comma splice, no punctuation) |
| Meaning | Incomplete thought | Multiple complete thoughts combined incorrectly |
Fixing the Errors
* Fragments: Add a subject, verb, or combine the fragment with a complete sentence.
* Run-ons: Use a period, semicolon, comma with conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, for), or a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, for) to separate the clauses.
Example Corrections:
* Fragment: "Running through the park."
* Corrected: "The child was running through the park."
* Run-on: "The dog barked loudly the cat ran away."
* Corrected: "The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away."