Complete Sentences Worksheet for 13-Year-Old English Students

Instructions

1. Read each question carefully.
2. Remember that a complete sentence has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
3. Complete the activities in order. The questions begin with practice and become more challenging.
4. For writing questions, use correct capitalization and punctuation.
5. Try the optional challenge after finishing the required questions.

Learning Goal

By the end of this worksheet, you should be able to:

• Identify complete sentences.
• Recognize fragments and run-on sentences.
• Repair incomplete or incorrectly joined sentences.
• Write clear, complete sentences for real-life situations.

1. Sentence or Fragment?

Write S for a complete sentence or F for a fragment.

1. The bright red kite flew above the park. _____
2. Running through the crowded station. _____
3. My brother collects unusual rocks. _____
4. Because the alarm did not ring. _____
5. We practiced the song three times. _____
6. Near the old wooden bridge. _____
7. The chef prepared a delicious meal. _____
8. After the movie ended. _____

Hint: Ask yourself, “Who or what is this about?” and “What is happening?” Then ask, “Does it express a complete thought?”

2. Find the Subject and Verb

Underline the subject once and the verb twice in each complete sentence. If a sentence is incomplete, write fragment on the line.

1. The noisy crowd cheered for the winning team. __
2. Under the kitchen table. __
3. Maya designed a poster for the school festival. __
4. The small boat rocked gently on the waves. __
5. During the long bus ride. __

3. Choose the Complete Sentence

Circle the letter of the complete sentence in each pair.

1. A. While the rain poured outside. B. We played board games while the rain poured outside.

2. A. The puppy with the floppy ears. B. The puppy with the floppy ears followed me home.

3. A. After finishing her homework. B. Elena watched an episode of her favorite show after finishing her homework.

4. A. The tall building across the street. B. The tall building across the street has twenty floors.

5. A. Because the store was closed. B. We returned the next morning because the store was closed.

4. Repair the Fragments

Rewrite each fragment as a complete sentence. Add words if needed. More than one answer may be correct.

Example: Beneath the old oak tree. → The children played beneath the old oak tree.

1. When the school bell rang.

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2. A basket full of fresh apples.

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3. Walking carefully across the icy sidewalk.

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4. Because I forgot my umbrella.

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5. Near the entrance to the museum.

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5. Fix the Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence joins two or more complete thoughts incorrectly. Rewrite each run-on sentence in one of these ways:

• Use a period and capitalize the next sentence.
• Use a comma and a joining word such as and, but, so, or because.
• Use a semicolon if the ideas are closely related.

Example: The phone rang I answered it. → The phone rang, so I answered it.

1. I finished my project I submitted it online.

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2. The trail was steep we continued hiking.

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3. Liam wanted pizza his sister preferred tacos.

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4. The library was crowded we found two empty seats.

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5. Our team practiced every afternoon we improved quickly.

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6. Sentence Checkpoint

Read each sentence. Label it complete, fragment, or run-on. Then explain your answer briefly.

1. The wind shook the windows all night. Label: ____ Explanation: __

2. Although the test was difficult. Label: ____ Explanation: __

3. I packed my lunch I filled my water bottle. Label: ____ Explanation: __

4. The students organized a clothing drive for the community. Label: ____ Explanation: __

5. Across the field behind the gym. Label: ____ Explanation: __

7. Real-Life Editing Mission

A message on a community bulletin board contains fragments and run-ons. Rewrite it so that every sentence is complete and correctly punctuated.

Original message:

Need volunteers for Saturday’s park cleanup. Meet near the playground at 9:00 a.m. Bring gloves the bags will be provided. Because the park has lots of litter. We will work until noon everyone is welcome.

Edited message:

8. Build Better Sentences

Combine the words or phrases into a complete sentence. Use correct capitalization and punctuation.

1. the science club / meets / every Thursday

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2. because the roads were icy / the buses arrived late

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3. my cousin / baked / a chocolate cake / for the celebration

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4. after the concert ended / the audience / applauded loudly

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9. Write Your Own

Write one complete sentence for each purpose.

1. A sentence describing a place:

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2. A sentence explaining a reason:

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3. A sentence giving advice:

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4. A sentence about something you did recently:

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5. A sentence with two complete thoughts joined by and, but, so, or because:

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Optional Challenge

Write a short paragraph of 4–5 complete sentences about solving a problem at school, at home, or in your community. Include:

• At least one sentence beginning with Although, Because, or When.
• At least one sentence with two complete thoughts joined correctly.
• No fragments or run-on sentences.

Self-Check

Place a check mark beside each statement you can do.

• [ ] I can identify a complete sentence.
• [ ] I can find the subject and verb.
• [ ] I can repair a fragment.
• [ ] I can fix a run-on sentence.
• [ ] I can write a paragraph using complete sentences.

Answer Key

1. Sentence or Fragment?

1. S
2. F
3. S
4. F
5. S
6. F
7. S
8. F

2. Find the Subject and Verb

1. Subject: crowd; verb: cheered
2. Fragment
3. Subject: Maya; verb: designed
4. Subject: boat; verb: rocked
5. Fragment

3. Choose the Complete Sentence

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B

4. Repair the Fragments

Answers will vary. Sample answers:

1. The students cheered when the school bell rang.
2. A basket full of fresh apples sat on the counter.
3. I was walking carefully across the icy sidewalk.
4. I got wet because I forgot my umbrella.
5. We waited near the entrance to the museum.

5. Fix the Run-On Sentences

Answers will vary. Sample answers:

1. I finished my project, so I submitted it online.
2. The trail was steep, but we continued hiking.
3. Liam wanted pizza, but his sister preferred tacos.
4. The library was crowded, but we found two empty seats.
5. Our team practiced every afternoon, so we improved quickly.

6. Sentence Checkpoint

1. Complete. It has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
2. Fragment. It begins with “Although” but does not finish the thought.
3. Run-on. It contains two complete thoughts without correct punctuation or a joining word.
4. Complete. It has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
5. Fragment. It does not tell who or what was across the field.

7. Real-Life Editing Mission

Sample answer:

We need volunteers for Saturday’s park cleanup. Meet near the playground at 9:00 a.m. Bring gloves; the bags will be provided. Because the park has lots of litter, we will work until noon. Everyone is welcome.

8. Build Better Sentences

1. The science club meets every Thursday.
2. Because the roads were icy, the buses arrived late.
3. My cousin baked a chocolate cake for the celebration.
4. After the concert ended, the audience applauded loudly.

9. Write Your Own

Answers will vary. Each response should begin with a capital letter, contain a subject and verb, express a complete thought, and end with appropriate punctuation.

Optional Challenge

Answers will vary. Check that the paragraph has 4–5 complete sentences, a correctly used introductory word or phrase, correct joining of complete thoughts, and no fragments or run-ons.