English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define a complete sentence and a run-on sentence.
Identify the subject and predicate in a simple sentence.
Determine if a group of words forms a complete thought.
Distinguish between a correct complete sentence and a run-on sentence.
Correct a run-on sentence by creating two separate sentences with a period.
Fix a run-on sentence by using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, so).
Have you ever tried to tell a friend a super exciting story and all your words just tumbled out without any breaks? 🗣️ That's what a run-on sentence feels like in writing!
In this lesson, we'll become sentence detectives! We will learn the difference between a strong, complete sentence and a jumbled run-on sentence. Mastering this skill will make you...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Complete SentenceA group of words that expresses a complete thought. It must have a subject and a predicate.The fluffy cat napped in the sun.
SubjectThe 'who' or 'what' the sentence is about. It's the person, place, or thing doing the action.In the sentence 'The fluffy cat napped,' the subject is 'The fluffy cat'.
PredicateThe part of the sentence that tells what the subject is or does. It always includes the verb (action word).In the sentence 'The fluffy cat napped in the sun,' the predicate is 'napped in the sun'.
Complete ThoughtAn idea that can stand by itself and make sense. It doesn't leave you wondering what happened.'Maria threw the ball' is a complete thought. 'Threw the bal...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Complete Sentence Check
Subject + Predicate = Complete Thought
To see if you have a complete sentence, always check for two key parts: a subject (who or what) and a predicate (what they are doing). If it has both and makes sense on its own, it's a complete sentence.
The Run-on Red Flag
Complete Thought + Complete Thought = Run-on!
If you find two or more complete thoughts smashed together in one sentence without a proper stop sign (like a period) or a proper connector (like a comma and a conjunction), you've found a run-on sentence.
How to Fix a Run-on: The Period Stop
Run-on Sentence ➡️ Complete Sentence. Complete Sentence.
The easiest way to fix a run-on is to find where one complete thought ends and the next one begins. Place a period there and capit...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Read the paragraph: '(1) Our class went on a field trip to the science museum. (2) We saw dinosaur bones and a model of the solar system. (3) I liked the space exhibit best it had a real meteorite. (4) After the museum, we ate our lunches in the park.' Which sentence is a run-on?
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
A student wants to combine these two sentences: 'The book was interesting.' and 'It was too long.' Which option correctly uses a comma and a conjunction?
A.The book was interesting it was too long.
B.The book was interesting, it was too long.
C.The book was interesting so it was too long.
D.The book was interesting, but it was too long.
Challenging
Which of the following is a complete sentence and NOT a run-on?
A.The girl on the swing, laughing with her friends.
B.The storm was getting closer, the wind began to howl.
C.Although the test was difficult, all of the students did their best.
D.We went to the beach we swam in the ocean.
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