Run-On Sentences Time to Master!

Run-On Sentences Look at the following sentence.      I saw a teacher who cares. The author may have wanted to write      I saw a teacher.  Who cares?

Run-On Sentences Using periods (and other forms of punctuation) and knowing when to end a sentence are very important.  If you don't end a sentence appropriately, the intended meaning can be changed, or it can be misunderstood.  Sometimes the meaning is simply incomprehensible. 

Run-On Sentences When a person learns to write English sentences and compositions, one common problem is writing sentences that are too long.  When a sentence ends too quickly, it is called a sentence fragment.  When a sentence has too many ideas and runs on too long, it is called a run-on sentence.  If you have this problem, don't worry.  It is quite easy to fix.

Run-On Sentences The first thing you need to do is identify when a sentence is a run-on.  A run-on (or run-on sentence) is a sentence that really has TWO sentences (or complete ideas) INCORRECTLY combined into one.  It is okay to combine two sentences into one, but you must follow some rules.  

Run-On Sentences You might be wondering: "What is a sentence?"  A sentence consists of 3 things: 1: subject :the person, place, or thing performing or doing the action 2: verb: the action 3: complete idea: the reader isn't left waiting for another word

Run-On Sentences I hit the ball. Birds fly. I take. I take the bus to school mom drives her car to work.

Run-On Sentences This last example is a run-on sentence:  Two complete sentences (ideas) incorrectly combined.  This sentence lacks signal words which tell the reader when to stop or pause.  A part of a sentence that can be a sentence by itself is called an independent clause.  This last example has TWO independent clauses.

Run-On Sentences Method #1 Write the two independent clauses as separate sentences using periods. Incorrect: Carmen loved traveling in Italy she felt Rome was too hot.

Run-On Sentences Method #2 Use a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.  Incorrect: Scott loves playing basketball he hates practicing.

Run-On Sentences Method #3 Use a comma and any one of the following connecting words: for      and      nor          but or          yet          so Incorrect: Megan applied to thirteen different colleges she forgot to take the ACT so she didn’t get accepted.

Run-On Sentences Method #4 Use a semicolon and one of the following words: therefore,  thus,   however,  consequently, furthermore,   also,   nevertheless,   NOTE: If you use any of these connecting words with method #4, a comma must follow it. Incorrect: Billy Joe practiced the drums everyday for three years he was the best drummer in school.

Run-On Sentences NOTE: When using semicolons, the two independent clauses must share a related or common idea.  You cannot write the following sentence: Christine loves hot chocolate; I am watching TV.  

Run-On Sentences Complete the exercise in the book. Page # and Ex. # are on the board.

Fragments Since he came to New York. Because my dog loves it. Unless you see me. Is there anything wrong with these sentences?  All of these sentences end too quickly.  After reading these sentences, the reader asks questions because he/she needs more information.

Fragments Sentence Fragment The Reader Asks... Since he came to New York.   Since he came, what (has he been doing)? Because my dog loves it.    Because the dog loves it, (so what)? Unless you see me.   Unless you see me, what (will happen)?

Fragments A sentence fragment has nothing to do with size or amount of words.  Therefore, a very short sentence with a complete idea is NOT a sentence fragment.  A sentence fragment is a sentence that is incomplete.  It is incomplete because it is either a phrase or a dependent clause.  

Fragments Sometimes the sentence has a subject, verb, and direct object, but it is still a sentence fragment.  How?  If a sentence contains one of any of the words on the following 2 blackboards, the sentence requires a second part to finish the idea.  Therefore, if you use any of the words on these lists, you MUST add another part.

Fragments after even if once whenever although even though only if  whereas as every time Since whether or not as if if because unless before while about above beneath in till above beside into to across besides like toward after between near under against beyond of underneath by off

Fragments For example Look at the following sentence: Because you wanted it. Since you bought the radio.

Fragments Do these two sentences have subjects, verbs, and direct objects (if needed)?  YES.  Are they sentence fragments?  YES.  Why?  They both contain words from the two blackboards.  They need second parts: I gave you the ice cream because you wanted it. Since you bought the plane tickets, I will pay for the hotel room.

Fragments Method #1 Attach the sentence fragment to another sentence.  That other sentence could be before or after the sentence fragment.  Sentence Fragment Fixed and Now a Complete Sentence After seeing the doctor. I felt much better after seeing the doctor.    -or- After seeing the doctor, I felt much better.

Fragments Method #2 Add a subject, verb, or both to make the sentence complete. Sentence Fragment Fixed and Now a Complete Sentence Under the bed.   I found my socks under the bed.  

Fragments Method #3   Take away the word or phrase that makes it a sentence fragment. NOTE:  If you use method #3, make sure the meaning does not change.  Sentence Fragment Fixed Sentence While Fred was in Paris. Fred was in Paris

Fragments Do the exercise assigned in the book. Page # and Ex. # are on the board.