Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on?

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πŸ“Is it a Complete Sentence, a Fragment, or a Run-on?

A complete sentence has:

  • A subject (who or what the sentence is about) πŸ‘¦πŸΆ
  • A predicate (what the subject does or is) βœοΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ
  • Expresses a complete thought πŸ’‘

Examples:

  • The cat 🐱 is sleeping πŸ’€.
  • I love 🍎 apples.
  • We went to the park 🌳🎈.

Tip: A complete sentence can stand alone.


  • A fragment is incomplete. It is missing a subject, a predicate, or a complete thought. ❌
  • Fragments cannot stand alone.

Examples:

  • Running through the park πŸŒ³πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ (What happened while running?) ❓
  • The big brown dog πŸ• (What about the dog?) ❓
  • Because I was late ⏰ (What happened because you were late?) ❓

Tip: Look for a subject + predicate and make sure the thought is complete.


  • A run-on sentence has two or more complete sentences joined incorrectly. 🚫
  • Often missing punctuation or connecting words like and, but, or, so.

Examples:

  • I went to the store I bought apples 🍎🍏.
  • She likes ice cream 🍦 he likes cake πŸŽ‚.

Fix it:

  • Use a period ., semicolon ;, or comma + conjunction , and / , but. βœ…
  • Corrected Examples:
    • I went to the store. I bought apples 🍎.
    • She likes ice cream 🍦, but he likes cake πŸŽ‚.

  • Complete sentence βœ… – has subject + predicate and full idea.
  • Fragment ⚠️ – missing subject, predicate, or complete idea.
  • Run-on 😡 – two complete sentences joined incorrectly.

  • Ask yourself:
    • Who or what is this about? πŸ‘€
    • What is happening or being said? ✍️
    • Does it make sense alone? πŸ’¬
  • βœ… If yes β†’ Complete sentence
  • ⚠️ If missing something β†’ Fragment
  • 😡 If two complete ideas run together β†’ Run-on