Fragment, run-on or sentence? | Worsheets library - Free Printable

Here’s the completed worksheet with each phrase labeled as Fragment, Sentence, or Run-on, along with corrections for fragments and run-ons.

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1. Because we lost the game. The team was upset because we lost the game.
✔ Fragment — “Because we lost the game” is a dependent clause; it doesn’t express a complete thought.
➡️ Correction: Combine it with the next sentence to form a complete sentence:
> The team was upset because we lost the game.

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2. The dog chased the three cats.
✔ Sentence — This is a complete sentence: subject (“The dog”) + verb (“chased”) + object (“the three cats”). It expresses a complete thought.

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3. My parents help me.
✔ Sentence — Subject (“My parents”) + verb (“help”) + object (“me”). Complete thought.

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4. We bought the new chair with our credit card.
✔ Sentence — Subject (“We”) + verb (“bought”) + object (“the new chair”) + prepositional phrase (“with our credit card”). Complete thought.

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5. She taught the lesson she gave a test.
✘ Run-on — Two independent clauses (“She taught the lesson” and “she gave a test”) joined without proper punctuation or conjunction.
➡️ Correction: Add a comma and coordinating conjunction, or use a period.
> She taught the lesson, and she gave a test.
> OR
> She taught the lesson. She gave a test.

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6. He wants to go to school he wants to get a job.
✘ Run-on — Two independent clauses improperly joined.
➡️ Correction:
> He wants to go to school, and he wants to get a job.
> OR
> He wants to go to school. He wants to get a job.

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7. While he was reading the book.
✔ Fragment — Dependent clause starting with “While”; doesn’t stand alone.
➡️ Correction: Attach it to an independent clause. Example:
> While he was reading the book, he fell asleep.

*(Note: Since no second clause is provided, you can create one that makes sense.)*

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8. I failed the test I didn't study.
✘ Run-on — Two independent clauses without proper punctuation.
➡️ Correction:
> I failed the test because I didn't study.
> OR
> I failed the test, and I didn't study.

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9. The salesman wearing the red tie.
✔ Fragment — Missing a verb. “Wearing” is a participle, not a main verb.
➡️ Correction: Add a helping verb (e.g., “is”) to make it a complete sentence:
> The salesman is wearing the red tie.

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10. The play was long we didn't stay until the end.
✘ Run-on — Two independent clauses improperly joined.
➡️ Correction:
> The play was long, so we didn't stay until the end.
> OR
> The play was long. We didn't stay until the end.

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✔ Final Answer Key:

| # | Label | Correction (if needed) |
|---|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Fragment | The team was upset because we lost the game. |
| 2 | Sentence | — |
| 3 | Sentence | — |
| 4 | Sentence | — |
| 5 | Run-on | She taught the lesson, and she gave a test. |
| 6 | Run-on | He wants to go to school, and he wants to get a job. |
| 7 | Fragment | While he was reading the book, he fell asleep. |
| 8 | Run-on | I failed the test because I didn't study. |
| 9 | Fragment | The salesman is wearing the red tie. |
|10 | Run-on | The play was long, so we didn't stay until the end. |

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💡 Teaching Tip:

- A sentence has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
- A fragment is missing a subject, verb, or complete thought (often a dependent clause).
- A run-on joins two or more complete sentences incorrectly — fix by using a period, semicolon, or conjunction + comma.

Let me know if you’d like this turned into a printable answer sheet! 📘