ACT English Sentence Structure Fragments and Run-ons Identifying and Fixing

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Sentence Structure: Fragments and Run-ons appears in the English section of the ACT. It's a common error that can appear on every test, and it's often a time-trap for students who rush through the questions. Fragments and run-ons can be tricky to identify, but with practice and the right strategies, you can master this topic and boost your score.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• A sentence fragment is a group of words that doesn't express a complete thought.
• A run-on sentence is two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
• Independent clauses are complete sentences that can stand alone.
• Fused sentences are two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the underlined portion carefully and identify the type of sentence structure error.
2. Check for independent clauses and punctuation. If a clause is missing a subject or verb, it's likely a fragment.
3. Look for conjunctions or punctuation that connects independent clauses. If there's no conjunction or punctuation, it's likely a run-on.
4. Eliminate answers that introduce new information or change the sentence structure.
5. Check your work by reading the sentence as a whole and making sure it makes sense.
6. Spend about 1-2 minutes per question, depending on your pace.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

In the English section, you'll encounter questions with underlined portions that contain sentence structure errors. You'll need to identify the error and choose the correct answer from the options.

• Distractors often include:
  • Typos or punctuation errors that distract from the main error.
  • Sentence restructuring that changes the original meaning.
  • Grammar rules that are related but not directly relevant to the error.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• The mistake: Failing to identify independent clauses.
  • Why it happens: Rushing through the questions or misreading the sentence.
  • How to avoid it: Take your time, read each clause carefully, and check for punctuation.
  • Exam board insight: The ACT examiners expect you to identify independent clauses and properly punctuate them.
• The mistake: Using commas to join independent clauses.
  • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the rules of comma usage.
  • How to avoid it: Use conjunctions or semicolons to join independent clauses, or use a period to separate them.
  • Exam board insight: The ACT examiners penalize incorrect use of commas to join independent clauses.
• The mistake: Failing to identify fused sentences.
  • Why it happens: Misreading the sentence or rushing through the questions.
  • How to avoid it: Read each clause carefully and check for punctuation.
  • Exam board insight: The ACT examiners expect you to identify fused sentences and properly punctuate them.
• The mistake: Using a period to separate independent clauses.
  • Why it happens: Misunderstanding the rules of sentence structure.
  • How to avoid it: Use conjunctions or semicolons to join independent clauses, or use a comma to separate them.
  • Exam board insight: The ACT examiners penalize incorrect use of periods to separate independent clauses.
• The mistake: Failing to check for subject-verb agreement.
  • Why it happens: Rushing through the questions or misreading the sentence.
  • How to avoid it: Read each clause carefully and check for subject-verb agreement.
  • Exam board insight: The ACT examiners expect you to identify subject-verb agreement errors.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1:
The underlined portion of the sentence below is incorrect. Choose the correct answer.

The new employee, was very nervous on her first day.

A) was very nervous on her first day.
B) is very nervous on her first day.
C) had been very nervous on her first day.
D) has been very nervous on her first day.
E) was being very nervous on her first day.

Answer: A) was very nervous on her first day.

Explanation: The underlined portion is a fragment because it's missing a subject. The correct answer is A) was very nervous on her first day.

Question 2:
The underlined portion of the sentence below is incorrect. Choose the correct answer.

The new employee, was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired.

A) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired.
B) The new employee, was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired.
C) The new employee, was very nervous on her first day, and she was also tired.
D) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also tired.
E) The new employee was very nervous on her first day and she was also very tired.

Answer: A) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired.

Explanation: The underlined portion is a run-on sentence because it's missing punctuation to separate the two independent clauses. The correct answer is A) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired.

Question 3:
The underlined portion of the sentence below is incorrect. Choose the correct answer.

The new employee, was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, therefore she needed a break.

A) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, therefore she needed a break.
B) The new employee, was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, therefore she needed a break.
C) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, so she needed a break.
D) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, thus she needed a break.
E) The new employee was very nervous on her first day and she was also very tired, therefore she needed a break.

Answer: C) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, so she needed a break.

Explanation: The underlined portion is a fused sentence because it's missing punctuation to separate the two independent clauses. The correct answer is C) The new employee was very nervous on her first day, and she was also very tired, so she needed a break.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• A sentence fragment is a group of words that doesn't express a complete thought.
• A run-on sentence is two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
• Use conjunctions or semicolons to join independent clauses, or use a period to separate them.
• Check for subject-verb agreement and punctuation errors.
• Take your time and read each clause carefully.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• If you don't know the answer, eliminate answers that introduce new information or change the sentence structure.
• Spend about 1-2 minutes per question, depending on your pace.
• If you're stuck, move on to the next question and come back to it later.

Related ACT Topics

• Parallel Structure: This topic is related to sentence structure because it involves using the same grammatical structure for parallel elements in a sentence.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: This topic is related to sentence structure because it involves making sure the subject and verb agree in number and person.
• Punctuation: This topic is related to sentence structure because it involves using punctuation to separate clauses and phrases in a sentence.