Run-On vs. Sentence Fragment

Attribute	Run-On	Sentence Fragment
Definition	A sentence that joins two or more independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions.	An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought.
Punctuation	May lack appropriate punctuation between clauses or have incorrect punctuation.	May lack appropriate punctuation or end abruptly without a complete thought.
Conjunctions	May lack appropriate conjunctions to connect independent clauses.	May lack appropriate conjunctions to connect the fragment to a complete sentence.
Structure	Consists of two or more independent clauses joined incorrectly.	Does not have a complete subject, verb, or thought.
Completeness	May be a complete sentence, but improperly joined.	Not a complete sentence on its own.

Introduction

When it comes to writing, understanding the difference between run-on sentences and sentence fragments is crucial. Both of these grammatical errors can negatively impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In this article, we will explore the attributes of run-on sentences and sentence fragments, highlighting their differences and providing examples to help you identify and correct these errors.

Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined together without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. These sentences can be excessively long and confusing, making it difficult for readers to follow the intended meaning. Run-on sentences often lack the necessary breaks or transitions, leading to a lack of clarity and coherence in the writing.

One common type of run-on sentence is the comma splice, where two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone. For example: "I went to the store, I bought some groceries." This sentence should be separated into two independent clauses or joined with a coordinating conjunction: "I went to the store, and I bought some groceries."

Another type of run-on sentence is the fused sentence, where two independent clauses are joined together without any punctuation or conjunction. For example: "She loves to read she spends hours at the library." This sentence can be corrected by adding appropriate punctuation or a coordinating conjunction: "She loves to read, and she spends hours at the library."

Run-on sentences can also occur when a writer uses transitional words or phrases incorrectly. For instance: "I love swimming, however, I don't have enough time to practice." In this example, the writer incorrectly uses a comma after "however," which should be preceded by a semicolon or separated into two sentences: "I love swimming; however, I don't have enough time to practice."

Overall, run-on sentences can be characterized by their lack of appropriate punctuation or conjunctions, resulting in a lack of clarity and coherence in the writing.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment, on the other hand, is an incomplete sentence that does not express a complete thought. It lacks either a subject, a verb, or both, making it grammatically incorrect. Sentence fragments can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the writing, as they do not provide the necessary information to convey a complete idea.

One common type of sentence fragment is the dependent clause without an independent clause. For example: "Although she studied hard for the exam." This fragment lacks an independent clause to complete the thought. It can be corrected by adding an independent clause: "Although she studied hard for the exam, she still struggled with the difficult questions."

Another type of sentence fragment is the phrase or subordinate clause used as a standalone sentence. For instance: "After finishing my homework." This fragment lacks a main clause to provide the necessary context. It can be revised by adding a main clause: "After finishing my homework, I decided to relax and watch a movie."

Sentence fragments can also occur when a writer mistakenly separates a complete sentence into fragments. For example: "He went to the store. To buy some groceries." In this case, the second sentence is a fragment and should be combined with the first sentence: "He went to the store to buy some groceries."

Overall, sentence fragments are characterized by their incomplete structure, lacking either a subject, a verb, or both, which results in an incomplete thought and disrupts the flow of the writing.

Key Differences

While both run-on sentences and sentence fragments are grammatical errors, they differ in their structure and impact on the writing. Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined together, while sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, a verb, or both.

Run-on sentences tend to be long and confusing, lacking appropriate punctuation or conjunctions to separate the independent clauses. They can result in a lack of clarity and coherence in the writing, making it difficult for readers to follow the intended meaning. On the other hand, sentence fragments disrupt the flow of the writing by providing incomplete thoughts that do not express a complete idea.

Another key difference is that run-on sentences can be corrected by adding appropriate punctuation, conjunctions, or breaking them into separate sentences. Sentence fragments, on the other hand, require additional information to complete the thought, such as adding a subject, a verb, or a main clause.

It is important to note that both run-on sentences and sentence fragments can be avoided by carefully reviewing and revising your writing. By understanding their attributes and how they differ, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

Conclusion

Run-on sentences and sentence fragments are common grammatical errors that can negatively impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined together, while sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, a verb, or both.

Run-on sentences can be excessively long and confusing, lacking appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. They can result in a lack of clarity and coherence in the writing. On the other hand, sentence fragments disrupt the flow of the writing by providing incomplete thoughts that do not express a complete idea.

By understanding the attributes of run-on sentences and sentence fragments, you can identify and correct these errors in your writing. Carefully reviewing and revising your work will help you improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing, ensuring that your ideas are communicated clearly to your readers.