Fragments and Run Ons Worksheet 4th Grade

Press Print worksheet for six broken sentences to write again: fragments to finish, run-ons to split or join.

A sample is on the sheet. What you type replaces it.

What you type stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to us.

Made at homeroomtools.comRead each one. Write your sentence on the lines.1.2.3.4.5.6.Fix each fragment or run-onI wanted to skate the rink was full. (but)We can hike to the waterfall we can paddle across the lake. (or)The cat chased the string the dog watched from the couch. (and)Such as lions and tigers.A strong wind blew all night the fence fell over.Dripping from the kitchen faucet all night.
Made at homeroomtools.comRead each one. Write your sentence on the lines.1.2.3.4.5.6.Fix each fragment or run-onAnswer keyI wanted to skate the rink was full. (but)We can hike to the waterfall we can paddle across the lake. (or)The cat chased the string the dog watched from the couch. (and)Such as lions and tigers.A strong wind blew all night the fence fell over.Dripping from the kitchen faucet all night.I wanted to skate, but the rink was full.We can hike to the waterfall, or we can paddle across the lake.The cat chased the string, and the dog watched from the couch.The zoo has big cats, such as lions and tigers.A strong wind blew all night. The fence fell over.Water was dripping from the kitchen faucet all night.
More options

All 140 sentences

Fix the fragment 70

  • A basket of ripe peaches on the counter.
  • A long line of cars at the bridge.
  • A tiny spider on the ceiling.
  • Across the alley from the barber shop.
  • After we glued the last jigsaw piece.
  • Although the creek was freezing.
  • And then went straight to bed.
  • As soon as the movie ended.
  • At the end of the dirt road.
  • Because the ferry left without us.
  • Before the rooster crowed.
  • Beneath the rusty iron gate.
  • The bright red kite above the trees.
  • Building a fort out of couch pillows.
  • Climbed to the top of the lighthouse.
  • The cuckoo clock in the hallway.
  • Dripping from the kitchen faucet all night.
  • During the bumpy wagon ride.
  • Especially on foggy mornings.
  • Even though his legs ached.
  • Every student in the fourth grade.
  • Forgot to feed the goldfish this morning.
  • The girl with the broken arm.
  • Gliding in circles above the canyon.
Show all 140 sentences (116 more)

Fix the fragment, continued

  • The goalie of our hockey club.
  • Grows wild along the side of the road.
  • Halfway through the parade.
  • Hauled the heavy crates onto the porch.
  • Howled at the fire siren for a full minute.
  • If it snows tonight.
  • The last page of my library book.
  • Left her violin case on the subway.
  • Looking for her lost glasses.
  • The loud thunder during the night.
  • Melted before we could eat it.
  • My swimming coach from last summer.
  • On the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
  • Our neighbor's noisy lawn mower.
  • Painted the fence a bright shade of blue.
  • Reading a comic book under the covers.
  • Scored the winning goal in the last minute.
  • Since the hardware shop had no ladders.
  • Singing loudly in the back seat.
  • Sledding down the hill behind the barn.
  • The smell of fresh bread from the bakery.
  • So that the plants would grow.
  • Sprinted the whole way to the ferry dock.
  • Such as lions and tigers.
  • The tall man in the yellow raincoat.
  • Tastes better with a little salt.
  • That I dug out of the sandbox.
  • Three ducks and a goose by the pond.
  • To earn her orange belt in karate.
  • Trying to untie the knot in my shoelace.
  • Tumbled off the mantel during the storm.
  • Two muddy boots by the back door.
  • Two otters across the lake before breakfast.
  • Unless it stops raining.
  • Until the paint is dry.
  • Waiting for the drawbridge to come down.
  • Was hiding under the kitchen table.
  • When the oven timer buzzed.
  • Whenever the phone rings.
  • Where the stream meets the lake.
  • While my sister practiced the drums.
  • Whistled a tune while he swept the porch.
  • Who lives across the street.
  • Will open at nine o'clock tomorrow.
  • With a spoonful of honey.
  • Without a map or a flashlight.

Fix the run-on 70

  • A strong wind blew all night the fence fell over.
  • The baby just fell asleep keep your voice down.
  • The bakery was closed we bought bread at the market.
  • The band played the dancers twirled. (and)
  • Ben forgot his mittens his coach lent him a pair.
  • The cat chased the string the dog watched from the couch. (and)
  • The clouds rolled in the thunder started. (and)
  • The cocoa is steaming blow on it first.
  • The cookies are done they smell wonderful.
  • The curtain rose everyone clapped.
  • Dad grilled the corn I set the picnic table. (and)
  • The first bus was full the second one had seats. (but)
  • Go right at the big fountain the museum is straight ahead.
  • The grasshopper leaped it landed on my knee.
  • The hamster chewed my sleeve now it has a hole.
  • Has anyone seen my backpack I left it right here.
  • He pedaled hard he came in last. (but)
  • Hurry up we will miss the start. (or)
  • I called your name you did not hear me. (but)
  • I collect stamps my cousin collects coins. (but)
  • I finished my chores now I can build my model plane.
  • I wanted to skate the rink was full. (but)
  • I was thirsty I filled my water bottle. (so)
  • It was Jada's birthday we baked a cake. (so)
  • The kite got stuck in a tree Dad used a ladder.
  • Leo wanted noodles Kim wanted tacos. (but)
  • The little pond froze solid the ducks walked on the ice.
  • Look at that rainbow it has two arches.
  • Mia practiced her lines she remembered every word. (and)
  • The milk carton is empty please buy some today.
  • The moon was full we could see without a lamp.
  • My alarm did not ring I overslept by an hour. (so)
  • My beagle loves mud puddles he rolls in every one.
  • My eraser is worn out may I use yours?
  • My grandmother knits scarves she gave me a green one.
  • My scooter has a bell my sister's has a horn.
  • My shoes were muddy I left them outside. (so)
  • My tooth fell out at lunch I put it in my pocket.
  • Our bus broke down a new one came for us.
  • Our class grew beans mine sprouted first.
  • Our lights went out we played cards by candlelight. (so)
  • Our relay squad finished first the whole gym cheered.
  • Our train was an hour late Mom read a magazine.
  • The parcel looked small it was very heavy. (but)
  • The pet shop shuts at noon we have to hurry. (so)
  • The phone rang twice nobody answered it.
  • The puzzle had a thousand pieces we finished it in a week. (but)
  • The river rose the fields flooded. (and)
  • The road was icy the bus drove slowly. (so)
  • Sam fed the chickens Ana collected the eggs. (and)
  • She opened the window a bee flew in. (and)
  • The shed was locked nobody had the key.
  • The show begins at seven do not be late.
  • The store was out of eggs we made oatmeal. (so)
  • The sun was shining the air was cold. (but)
  • Tara plays the flute her brother plays the drums.
  • The test was long it was not hard. (but)
  • That drawing is beautiful who made it?
  • This lake is very deep you cannot see the bottom.
  • This turn is mine you went first last time.
  • The trail was steep we rested twice. (so)
  • The tunnel was flooded we drove around the hill. (so)
  • The wave rolled in our moat filled up. (and)
  • We can hike to the waterfall we can paddle across the lake. (or)
  • We could play a board game we could watch a film. (or)
  • We hiked for two hours my legs were sore.
  • Whisper in the tent you will wake the others. (or)
  • The whistle blew the swimmers dove in.
  • You can sit by the window you can sit near the door. (or)
  • You can take the striped towel you can take the plain one. (or)

How this list was compiled: Written for this page: fragments (a group of words with no subject, no verb, or a thought left unfinished) and run-ons (two complete sentences with no punctuation and no joining word between them), each stored with one way to write it correctly. A run-on with a word in brackets is fixed with a comma and that word; one without is split into two sentences. The definitions and the fixes follow the Incomplete sentences and Run-on sentences sections of Wikipedia's Sentence clause structure article, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_clause_structure, and its Comma splice article, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_splice, read 2026-10-02 (license CC BY-SA 4.0). No person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

Each sheet draws 6 broken sentences from our own bank, with lines to write on. A fragment has a part missing, so the child adds it. A run-on is two sentences with nothing between them, to split or join.

Read the full guide

Two sets: fragments and run-ons

Set keeps the sheet to one kind. Fix the fragment prints a group of words with a part missing: Sprinted the whole way to the ferry dock. Fix the run-on prints two sentences run together. Where a word follows in brackets, join them with a comma and that word: The road was icy the bus drove slowly. (so) Where none follows, write two sentences.

Your own sentences

Type one broken sentence a line, an equals sign, then one way to fix it for the key: We were late the bus broke down. = We were late. The bus broke down. Your lines replace ours.

  • A fragment can be finished in many ways. The key shows one.

Questions and answers

What is the difference between a fragment and a run-on?

A fragment is less than a sentence: it has no subject, no verb, or a thought left unfinished. A run-on is more than one: two complete sentences joined with no punctuation or joining word between them.

How do you fix a run-on sentence?

Put a period between the two sentences, or join them with a comma and a word such as and, but, or or so. A semicolon also works. These sheets practice the first two ways.

Why is this a 4th grade worksheet?

The Common Core places the skill in grade 4: standard L.4.1f asks students to produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons. The sentences here use everyday words, so a strong third grader can try them.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Printed or saved as a PDF, it is the last page unless you uncheck Add an answer key as the last page under More options. It shows one right way to write each line.