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



 

 




 

 

To be a complete sentence, it must

pass 3 tests:

 3t must have a subject (who/what)

 3t must have a verb (what is happening)
 3t must express a complete thought
 Ô

 


n incomplete sentence that doesn¶t pass
one or more of those tests.
Examples:
 Œas your best interest in mind.
Ñ
 
 

 


 èeople like my mom and sister.

Ñ  





 

 ÿecause they love me.

Ñ

 







 Ô 



 ou can add a subject:
Œ
 

 



 

 


 ou can add a verb:

è

 
tt 

 

 ou can make it a complete thought:






th t
t   




  
 

  run-on sentence means two sentences

(independent clauses) are joined
incorrectly.
 Ô


Œaving a run-on sentence, like a sentence
fragment, is considered a major grammar
error, and having several major grammar
errors can prevent you from earning high
grades on essays and from passing the
department final.
 u
  
!"#"
 $%
 3 went to the store 3 bought some eggs.

 3 like to ride my bike sometimes 3 ride to the

park.

 ÿrittany goes to L
she is a good student.

 3 like to write writing is my favorite hobby.

 Ô 
  

&


 6irst, try reading the sentence out loud if
you can.
 Then, try to figure out where one complete
idea ends and the other begins.
 Last, wherever the first complete thought
ends, put a   or  .
 Ô 



Π 

 







%

 3 went to the store 3 bought some eggs.

 3 like to ride my bike sometimes 3 ride to the park.

 ÿrittany goes to L
she is a good student.

 3 like to write writing is my favorite hobby.

 Ô
 




 3 went to the store 3 bought some eggs.
ë 3 went to the storew 3 bought some eggs.

 3 like to ride my bike ometimes 3 ride to the park.

ë 3 like to ride my bikew sometimes 3 ride to the
park.

 ÿrittany goes to L
 he is a good student.

ë ÿrittany goes to L
w she is a good student.

 3 like to write riting is my favorite hobby.

ë 3 like to writew writing is my favorite hobby.




 
 

 comma splice occurs when two sentences

are incorrectly joined with just a comma.

Examples:
 The store is having a sale, 3 want to go.
 3 need a purse, 3 want new shoes.
 3 wish 3 could buy more, 3 am on a budget.
 Ô



 

 
 
'
 3f what comes before and after the comma
is a complete thought that can stand on its
own, you can¶t use just a comma!
 ou can either:
dd a 6"Ñ('Ô (coordinating
conjunction) after the comma
ër change the comma to a  
 Ô

 

 The store is having a sale 3 want to go.

ë The store is having a salew 3 want to go.

 3 need a purse
3 want new shoes.

ë 3 need a pursew 3 want new shoes.

 3 wish 3 could buy more

3 am on a budget.
ë 3 wish 3 could buy morew 3 am on a budget.




 
 ]eep these in mind when you are writing for
class or in the lab!

arefully proofread your work and correct any
fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.
 èass English 28 and move on to fame and
fortune (and excellent writing skills)!