2. Main Clause
A sentence needs to
have a main clause to
develop the idea in a
sentence.
A sentence needs 3
components to have a
main clause:
Noun
Verb
Complete thought
Example:
The man runs.
(noun) (verb)
Together the noun and
verb make a complete
thought.
3. Fragments
A fragment is missing one of the key
components of a main clause.
For example:
And sneezed loud enough for the neighbors to hear.
(missing the noun – who sneezed?)
The man fishing on a deep, cold, blue lake.
(no verb – what was the fisherman doing?)
After Joe went to school.
(Joe went – but then what? Not a complete thought)
4. Hint
Imagine someone bursting into the room and
yelling a sentence. Does it make sense?
If so, it’s a complete sentence.
If not, it’s a fragment.
5. Your Turn!
Each sentence needs a noun, verb, and complete
thought. Which of the following has all three?
The person watching the boats.
But walked down the road.
Sally delivered the mail.
6. Not Quite
Remember each
sentence needs a
noun, verb, and a
complete thought in
order to be a
complete sentence.
Take a look at this.
Click here to try again
7. Yes!
You remembered that all sentences have the
three main components of
Noun
Verb
Complete Thought
8. Run on Sentences
Run on sentences tend to go on and on and on
and on . . .
Click on the one sentence below that you think is a
run on.
Sarah is going to the store are you going with her?
Bob is going to go to the store and buy some candy.
Joe has many things he wants to do today. One of the items on his list
is going to the store.
9. Great Job!
Run on sentences are just like that person you
know that keeps talking and talking and
talking.
Click here for some great advice on catching
and fixing run on sentences.
11. Try Again
Run on sentences combine two sentences
into one without adding any punctuation.
Keep this in mind while you look at the
sentences again.
Click here to try again.
