Name Grammar

1.3.1

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not

tell a complete thought and lacks a subject, a
predicate, or both.

The school bus. (fragment; missing predicate)

Went to the concert. (fragment; missing subject)

>  Identify if the sentence is complete or a fragment, then identify what is missing
from each fragment — the subject or the predicate.

1.    The car door. 

2.    School started late because the roads were icy. 
3.    Going to the store.  
4.    The picture was in a frame. 
5.    The circus elephants. 

>  Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure sentence fragments
are corrected.

Grade 4 • Fragments and Run-On Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.3.2

Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence is a sentence that has two complete thoughts, or sentences,

that run into each other without appropriate punctuation or a conjunction.
Ann wanted a new car she got a second job. (run-on sentence)
To fix a run-on sentence, add punctuation and a capital letter.
Ann wanted a new car. She got a second job.
OR
Add a comma and a conjunction.
Ann wanted a new car, so she got a second job.

>  Correct the following run-on sentences by adding punctuation and a capital
letter, or by forming a compound sentence by adding a comma and a
conjunction.

1.    Today is warm and sunny we will go to the swimming pool.

Add a comma and a conjunction.

2.    Beth has always enjoyed country music I don’t like it very much.
Add punctuation and a capital letter.

3.    I called my older brother to pick me up he couldn’t leave practice.

Add a comma and a conjunction.

4.    The dancers at the show were great they weren’t very good last year.
Add punctuation and a capital letter.

5.    Brandon went to the dentist today he didn’t have any cavities.

Add a comma and a conjunction.

Grade 4 • Fragments and Run-On Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.3.3

Writing Complete Sentences

A complete sentence tells a complete thought and has

a subject and a predicate.
The dog at the door. (fragment)
I was thirsty, I made some tea. (comma splice)
He went to the store he needed milk. (run-on)
The students returned their books to the library.
(complete sentence)

>  Identify each as a fragment, run-on, comma splice, or complete sentence. For
fragments, run-ons, or comma splices, rewrite as complete sentences.

1.    Patrick needs to take piano lessons but he thinks he plays well.

2.    Hit the ball. 

3.    I woke up late, I didn’t have breakfast this morning.

4.    Fish and frogs live in the pond. 

5.    Our class won the contest we had lunch with the principal.

>  Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure complete sentences
are written correctly.

Grade 4 • Fragments and Run-On Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.3.4

Review Fragments and Run-On Sentences

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not

tell a complete thought.
A run-on sentence is a sentence that has two complete
thoughts, or sentences, that run into each other.

Played well. (fragment; The team played well.)

The shoes were real leather they were expensive.

(run-on; The shoes were real leather. They were
expensive.)

> Correct and rewrite each fragment and run-on sentence below.

Add sentence parts where appropriate.

1.    At the park. 

2.    The kittens. 

3.    She had to do the laundry she also had to wash the dishes.

4.    The rehearsal begins at 3:00 P.M. we should hurry.

5.    The basketball team.

> Revisit a piece of your writing. Edit the draft to make sure fragments and run-
on sentences are corrected.

Grade 4 • Fragments and Run-On Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Name Grammar
1.3.5

Connect to Writing: Using Complete Sentences

> Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Read the following paragraph about eating a meal at Grandma’s house. Look for
any revisions that should be made. Then answer the questions that follow.

(1) Sunday afternoon. (2) Grandma always makes roast and noodles.
(3) Her pies. (4) My cousins and I help clean up the dishes. (5) We want to go
there next Sunday.

1. Which statement is not a complete sentence?

A. Sunday afternoon.
B. Grandma always makes roast and noodles.
C. My cousins and I help clean up the dishes.
D. Make no changes.

2. What change should be made in sentence 3?

A. It should written with a subject.

B. Make no changes.
C. It should be written as a complete sentence.
D. It should be written with an adjective.

>  Write about one of your favorite meals or family feasts. Make certain to write your story
in complete sentences.

Grade 4 • Fragments and Run-On Sentences Printable

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.