Fragments, Run-Ons, and Sentences

Have both a subject and a predicate

The subject is who or what the sentence is about

The predicate starts with the verb and includes information about the subject

Everything in the sentence is either part of the subject or part of the predicate

Joe ran down the street.

The teacher read to her class of students.

Do you know the muffin man?

Zachary Beaver came to the town of Antler, Texas.

Incomplete thoughts that are missing a subject, predicate, or both

The tardy student

Despised the idea

Practical and Logical

Multiple sentences that are joined together without the proper punctuation

This could mean having a comma with no conjunction, having a conjunction with no comma, or having neither.

Tip: When reading a run-on sentence, it may seem like you aren't pausing/are running out of breath

The water was cold and dark I jumped in the lake even though I was scared.

The class is over it is now time to go home.

Separate into two different sentences with periods or correct punctuation.

Example: That girl is running fast she's not slowing down- That girl is running fast. She's not slowing down.

Separate using a comma and a conjunction

Example: That girl is running fast she's not slowing down- That girl is running fast, and she's not slowing down.

Separate the sentences with a semicolon. (The word after the semicolon does not get capitalized).

Example: That girl is running fast she's not slowing down- That girl is running fast; she's not slowing down.