Sentences Workshop
Completion requirements
Sentences Workshop
In this Lesson, you will look at
- complete sentences
- sentence fragments
- run-on sentences
You are expected to understand and be able to identify these concepts when reading and use them correctly in your own writing.
Did you know...
Together, words form sentences. Sentences form paragraphs. Paragraphs can form essays, stories, and novels.
Knowing how to write in full and complete sentences is very important, especially in a Language Arts Setting. Knowing the difference between the types of sentences and how to correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences is also an important skill to have.
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Complete sentences have 3 pieces:
Examples:
Andy reads quickly. This is a complete sentence because it contains a verb (reads). It expresses a complete idea and it does not require any further information in order to be understood.
When Andy reads, he reads quickly. This is now a complete sentence, as the whole idea of the sentence has been expressed. The following examples show incomplete sentences in italics.
First, the sentence must begin with a capital letter.
Then, it must include an end mark (period, question mark, or exclamation point)
Finally, the complete sentence must contain at least one main clause. Each main clause contains an independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Then, it must include an end mark (period, question mark, or exclamation point)
Finally, the complete sentence must contain at least one main clause. Each main clause contains an independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Examples:
Andy reads quickly. This is a complete sentence because it contains a verb (reads). It expresses a complete idea and it does not require any further information in order to be understood.
When Andy reads, he reads quickly. This is now a complete sentence, as the whole idea of the sentence has been expressed. The following examples show incomplete sentences in italics.
There is another theory. Which should not be ignored.
There is another theory which should not be ignored.
The proposal was finally rejected. Although they considered it.
Although they considered the proposal, it was finally rejected.
There is another theory which should not be ignored.
The proposal was finally rejected. Although they considered it.
Although they considered the proposal, it was finally rejected.
Some ideas adapted from: https://www.le.ac.uk/oerresources/ssds/grammarguides/page_02.htm
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences. The sentence does not contain a complete thought and therefore, it cannot stand alone. This happens when a sentence becomes separated or disconnected from the main clause or idea. Or another way to explain this is when a sentence does not contain an independent clause, but instead, only the subordinate clause is present. A subordinate clause cannot
stand alone because they are incomplete and always need to be connected to an independent clause. A subordinate clause begins with words such as, because or although. These words connect the subordinate clause to the independent clause. Here is an example:
Because of the rain. This sentence cannot stand on its own. It is a subordinate clause. Since this does not form a complete thought, it is not a complete sentence.
Because of the rain, the party was canceled. Now, the sentence fragment has become a dependent clause attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) and a verb (was canceled). The thought is complete.
Because of the rain. This sentence cannot stand on its own. It is a subordinate clause. Since this does not form a complete thought, it is not a complete sentence.
Because of the rain, the party was canceled. Now, the sentence fragment has become a dependent clause attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) and a verb (was canceled). The thought is complete.
A run-on sentence is two sentences that can stand by themselves. However, the two parts have been smashed together instead of being properly connected.
Examples:
I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.
Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.
Examples:
I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.
Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.
Contact your teacher if you have any questions.