English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
What you'll learn
- Identify complete sentences from a set of sentences with 80% accuracy.
- Explain the difference between a complete sentence and a run-on sentence using proper grammatical terminology (subject, predicate, independent clause) in their own words.
- Correct 3 out of 4 run-on sentences by separating them into complete sentences or combining them using appropriate conjunctions or punctuation.
- Apply knowledge of complete sentences and run-ons to write a paragraph consisting of at least 5 complete sentences on a chosen topic, ensuring that no run-on sentences are present.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define and identify the key components of a complete sentence.
Distinguish between a complete sentence and a run-on sentence.
Identify the two main types of run-on sentences: fused sentences and comma splices.
Apply various strategies to correct run-on sentences effectively.
Revise their own writing to eliminate run-on sentences and improve clarity.
Explain why avoiding run-on sentences is important for clear communication.
Ever read something that just keeps going and going, making it hard to understand? 🤯 That's often the work of a run-on sentence!
In this lesson, we'll learn how to tell if a sentence is complete and clear, or if it's a run-on that needs fixing. Mastering this skill will make your writing much easier for others to read...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Complete SentenceA group of words that expresses a complete thought, has a subject, and has a predicate.The dog barked loudly.
SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in the sentence. It tells 'who' or 'what' the sentence is about.In 'The student studied diligently,' 'student' is the subject.
PredicateThe part of the sentence that contains the verb and tells what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and all its modifiers and objects.In 'The student studied diligently,' 'studied diligently' is the predicate.
Independent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete sentence.She loves to read.
Run-on SentenceA sentence that...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Complete Thought' Rule
A complete sentence must express a complete thought. If it feels like it's missing information or just stops abruptly, it might not be complete.
To check if a sentence is complete, ask yourself: 'Does this make sense all by itself? Does it tell me who/what and what they did/are?' If yes, it's likely a complete sentence (or an independent clause).
Identifying Run-ons: Two Independent Clauses
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined incorrectly. This means there are two complete thoughts trying to exist as one sentence without proper separation.
Look for two distinct subject-predicate pairs that could each stand alone as a sentence. If they are connected by nothing (fused sentence) or onl...
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Challenging
Read the short passage: '(1) Our class took a field trip to the science museum. (2) We saw an exhibit on dinosaurs, it was fascinating. (3) Later, we watched a film about the solar system in the planetarium. (4) It was the best field trip of the year.' Which sentence is a run-on?
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
Why is a comma, by itself, considered insufficient punctuation to join two independent clauses?
A.Because a comma's main grammatical job is to indicate a brief pause or separate items, not to connect two complete thoughts.
B.Because a period is always a better choice for any sentence.
C.Because two independent clauses can only be joined by a semicolon.
D.Because commas make sentences too long and confusing for the reader.
Challenging
Consider the run-on: 'The team practiced for weeks they were not prepared for the other team's strategy.' Which correction best preserves and clarifies the logical relationship of contrast between the two ideas?
A.The team practiced for weeks, and they were not prepared for the other team's strategy.
B.The team practiced for weeks; they were not prepared for the other team's strategy.
C.The team practiced for weeks, but they were not prepared for the other team's strategy.
D.The team practiced for weeks. They were not prepared for the other team's strategy.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?"?
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? is a Grade 7 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Is it a complete sentence or a run-on??
You'll be able to: Identify complete sentences from a set of sentences with 80% accuracy; Explain the difference between a complete sentence and a run-on sentence using proper grammatical terminology (subject, predicate, independent clause) in….
Is "Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Is it a complete sentence or a run-on??
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.