🔍 Detailed Explanation of Is it a Complete Sentence or a Run-on?

When learning English in Year 6, it’s important to understand the difference between a complete sentence and a run-on sentence. This helps us write clearly so others can easily understand what we mean. Let’s explore what makes a sentence complete and what makes it a run-on.

✅ What Makes a Sentence Complete?

A complete sentence has three main parts:

  1. Capital letter at the beginning
  2. A subject and a verb – The subject tells us who or what the sentence is about. The verb tells us what the subject is doing or being.
  3. Punctuation at the end – Usually a full stop (.), question mark (?), or an exclamation mark (!)

For example:

  • The dog runs.
  • My friend likes ice cream.
  • Did you see that?

Each of these is a complete sentence because it tells a whole idea clearly. It has a subject, a verb, and ends with punctuation.

❌ What is a Run-on Sentence?

A run-on sentence happens when two or more complete sentences (called independent clauses) are joined together without the right punctuation or conjunctions. This makes it confusing or hard to read.

For example, this is a run-on sentence:
I like football I play every weekend.

Here, we have two complete ideas: “I like football” and “I play every weekend.” They are put together without a full stop or linking word, so it doesn’t make sense.

🛠️ How to Fix Run-on Sentences

We can fix run-on sentences by:

  1. Using a full stop to make two sentences
      – I like football. I play every weekend.
  2. Using a comma and a conjunction (word that joins ideas)
      – I like football, and I play every weekend.

Common conjunctions are: and, but, or, so, because, then

📌 Why are Punctuation and Conjunctions Important?

  • Punctuation helps us show where a sentence starts and ends. Without it, writing can be messy and confusing.
  • Conjunctions help join ideas smoothly so the writing flows well and the meaning is clear.

📝 Summary

  • A complete sentence has a subject, a verb, and correct punctuation.
  • A run-on sentence incorrectly joins two sentences without punctuation or conjunctions.
  • Using punctuation and conjunctions properly helps us write clear, easy-to-understand sentences.

Keep practising spotting and fixing run-on sentences to become a confident writer! ✍️

📝 20 Examination-style Questions with Answers on Complete Sentences and Run-ons

Here are 20 questions designed for Year 6 students to practise identifying whether a sentence is a complete sentence or a run-on sentence. These questions follow the National Curriculum for England for Key Stage 2 English and help prepare you for assessments.

❓ Questions: Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?

  1. The sun was shining brightly the birds were singing loudly.
  2. We went to the park and played football.
  3. My dog loves to run in the garden he never gets tired.
  4. I finished my homework early so I could watch TV.
  5. The cake looked delicious it was covered in chocolate.
  6. Sarah likes to read books she often visits the library.
  7. They went to the zoo and saw the lions and tigers.
  8. He studied very hard for the test he wanted to do well.
  9. We had a picnic in the park the weather was perfect.
  10. The train arrived on time and everyone got on quickly.
  11. Lucy ate all her vegetables she did not like them much.
  12. The rain stopped after an hour the sun came out.
  13. Tim is very tall he plays basketball for his school team.
  14. We made a model of the solar system it was great fun.
  15. The movie started late the cinema was very busy.
  16. James likes playing chess he is very good at it.
  17. I lost my keys I had to wait outside for my mum.
  18. The cat slept all afternoon and the dog watched TV.
  19. We walked to school because the bus was late.
  20. The children laughed and played in the playground all day.

✔️ Answers:

  1. Run-on sentence (two complete sentences joined without punctuation or a conjunction)
  2. Complete sentence
  3. Run-on sentence
  4. Complete sentence
  5. Run-on sentence
  6. Run-on sentence
  7. Complete sentence
  8. Run-on sentence
  9. Run-on sentence
  10. Complete sentence
  11. Run-on sentence
  12. Run-on sentence
  13. Run-on sentence
  14. Run-on sentence
  15. Run-on sentence
  16. Run-on sentence
  17. Run-on sentence
  18. Complete sentence
  19. Complete sentence
  20. Complete sentence

🔑 How to tell:

  • A complete sentence expresses a full idea with a subject and a verb, and it makes sense on its own.
  • A run-on sentence happens when two or more complete ideas are joined without correct punctuation or connecting words like ‘and’, ‘but’, or ‘so’.

Keep practising spotting the difference to improve your writing and get ready for your KS2 English tests! 🚀