RUN ON SENTENCES
A run-on sentence is two or more sentences that are incorrectly written as one sentence. The length of the sentence has nothing to do with it being a run-on sentence.
You cannot join two complete thoughts like this. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night they are probably wrong. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night they are probably wrong._______________________________________________________________________________ You ALSO cannot join two complete thoughts with only a COMMA. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night, they are probably wrong.
Avoiding Run-on Sentences 1. Insert a period and start a new sentence. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night. T hey are probably wrong. 2. Insert a comma plus a conjunction. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night, but they are probably wrong. 3. Use a semicolon. Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night ; they are probably wrong.
#1 Insert a period and start a new sentence.
1. A policeman searched a shed and went into the house he checked the back porch and then left in his car. 1. A policeman searched a shed and went into the house he checked the back porch and then left in his car.
1. A policeman searched a shed and went into the house. He checked the back porch and then left in his car. 1. A policeman searched a shed and went into the house. He checked the back porch and then left in his car.run-on
2. She peeked into the box, she began to laugh. 2. She peeked into the box, she began to laugh.
2. She peeked into the box. She began to laugh. 2. She peeked into the box. She began to laugh.run-on
3. The movie director began to speak everyone looked restless and began to look around and smile at each other and not listen. 3. The movie director began to speak everyone looked restless and began to look around and smile at each other and not listen.
3. The movie director began to speak. Everyone looked restless and began to look around and smile at each other and not listen. 3. The movie director began to speak. Everyone looked restless and began to look around and smile at each other and not listen.run-on
Is this a sentence or a run-on? Correct run-on sentences by making two sentences. 4. The alarm rang at six, he didn’t rise until nine o’clock. 4. The alarm rang at six, he didn’t rise until nine o’clock.
Is this a sentence or a run-on? Correct run-on sentences by making two sentences. 4. The alarm rang at six. He didn’t rise until nine o’clock. 4. The alarm rang at six. He didn’t rise until nine o’clock.run-on
#2 Use a Conjunction. (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.)
5. They planted a garden it didn’t do well due to heavy rainfall.
5. They planted a garden, and it didn’t do well due to heavy rainfall. run-on
6. Phoenix, Arizona is a pretty city it is one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
6. Phoenix, Arizona is a pretty city, and it is one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
7. You may place a stamp on your envelope you may place the envelope in this basket for stamping.
7. You may place a stamp on your envelope, or you may place the envelope in this basket for stamping. 7. You may place a stamp on your envelope, or you may place the envelope in this basket for stamping.
#3 Use a semicolon. ;
8. I like chocolate ice cream Peter loves to eat chocolate cake.
8. I like chocolate ice cream; Peter loves to eat chocolate cake.
9. Snow drifted on the roads the car couldn’t get through it.
9. Snow drifted on the roads; the car couldn’t get through it.
10. The price is right I must buy it.
10. The price is right; I must buy it.
TICKET TO LEAVE Please write S (sentence) or RO (run-on) for each question below. 1. The shelves are filled with books, but I can’t find one I want. 2. Tia can’t come over she has to baby-sit. 3. Please be kind to Amy; she needs a friend right now. 4. Should I take the bus to school, or should I walk? 5. Rain canceled the game, it is rescheduled for next week.