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Sentence Fragments and Run-Ons Worksheets

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Tell complete sentences from fragments and run-ons, then fix and proofread, with keys.

Download the sentence fragments and run-ons worksheets

Learn Fragments and Run-Ons

An anchor chart and pages to tell sentences, fragments, and run-ons apart.

Fix, Sort, and Proofread

Fix fragments and run-ons, sort sentences, and proofread paragraphs.

Write in Complete Sentences

Write a paragraph and check every sentence.

  • Preview of the printable “Write it Right: complete sentences” worksheet: writing a paragraph in complete sentences with no fragments or run-onsView larger

    Write it Right: complete sentences

    Writing a paragraph in complete sentences with no fragments or run-ons

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About these sentence fragments and run-ons worksheets

A complete sentence has a subject (who or what) and a predicate (what the subject does or is), and it tells a complete thought: "The puppy chased the ball." A sentence fragment is only a piece of a sentence. "Chased the ball" is missing a subject, "The puppy in the yard" is missing a predicate, and "Because it was raining" does not finish its thought.

A run-on sentence is two sentences run together with no punctuation: "The puppy was tired it took a nap." Joining two sentences with only a comma is a run-on too, called a comma splice. Fix a run-on with a period and a capital letter, or with a comma and a word like and, but, or so: "The puppy was tired, so it took a nap."

These printable worksheets include an anchor chart, sentence-or-fragment and three-way sorting pages, fix-the-fragment and fix-the-run-on practice, a cut-and-paste sort, and two paragraphs to proofread. A writing page asks for a paragraph in complete sentences, with a checklist.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.FProduce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.

How to use them

  1. Read the chart together. Say a fragment and ask, "Who did it?" or "Then what?"
  2. Use Sentence or Fragment? and Sentence, Fragment, or Run-On? to practice spotting each one.
  3. Fix fragments and run-ons, then try the sort.
  4. Proofread the paragraphs, then write your own paragraph and check it.

Teaching tips

  • Read a sentence out loud. If it leaves you waiting for more, it may be a fragment.
  • Words like because, when, and after often start fragments.
  • A comma alone cannot join two sentences.
  • A comma plus and is fine only when it joins two complete sentences.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What is a sentence fragment?

A group of words that is missing a subject or a predicate, or does not tell a complete thought, such as "After the movie ended."

What is a run-on sentence?

Two or more sentences joined without the right punctuation, such as "It rained we stayed inside." A comma splice, joined with only a comma, is a run-on too.

How do you fix a run-on?

Split it into two sentences with a period and a capital letter, or join the parts with a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or so.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Every practice page has a key, with example fixes where more than one answer works.