Fixing Run-on Sentences

Fixing Run-on SentencesA run-on sentence is actually two complete

sentences not joined correctly.

1. The easiest fix is to separate them with a period (.) followed by a capital letter.Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to

get into trouble. Judy leads a charmed life. She never seems

to get into trouble.

Fixing Run-on Sentences2. Separate the two sentences with a semicolon (;) but only if there is a direct connection between the two thoughts.I like my history class the material is explained very well.

I like my history class; the material is explained very well.

Fixing Run-on Sentences3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) between the two sentences. The FANBOYS are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.The trip was not well planned we still had a good time.The trip was not well planned, but we still had a good time.

Fixing Run-on Sentences4. Turn one of the sentences into a dependent clause by adding a “glue” or “dependent” word (subordinate conjunction). Add a comma after the dependent clause if it is at the beginning of the newly-formed sentence.

The psychology test was easy I passedBecause the psychology test was easy, I passed.

Fixing Run-on SentencesTransitional words (however, then, also,

consequently, finally, moreover, therefore) may be used to fix a run-on sentence, but must be preceded by a semicolon or a period.

We stopped at the store then we went home.We stopped at the store; then we went home.We stopped at the store. Then we went home.

Fixing Run-on SentencesNow it’s your turn to fix some run-on sentencesThe American colonists despised the King’s tax on British

tea they drank Dutch tea instead.The American colonists despised the King’s tax on British

tea, so they drank Dutch tea instead.

My grandfather is 86 years old therefore he walks slowly.My grandfather is 86 years old; therefore, he walks

slowly.

Fixing Run-on SentencesLet’s fix some more run-on sentencesDuring the Chinese New Year, people celebrate their homes

are open for visitors.During the Chinese New Year, people celebrate, and their

homes are open for visitors.

Children receive presents in brightly-wrapped packages adults give money to the poor.

While children receive presents in brightly-wrapped packages, adults give money to the poor.

Graded AssignmentOn the following slide, you will find part of your graded assignment for this lesson.

Please download the slide, turn it into a Word document or pdf, and complete the exercises.

Turn it in with the rest of your Unit 3 work.

Graded AssignmentDirections: Rewrite the following paragraph so that it contains no run-on sentences. Use each of the four ways to fix run-ons at least once.

After we studied various types of flowers Mrs. Smith suggested that we divide into groups each group would choose a project that was of interest to them the project that we chose was building a living scrapbook of local wildflowers since our school is within walking distance of a woodland park we would be able to gather the many different types of flowers after school ended we hiked to the woodland park Sheila found several flowering plants she put them in a cut-off milk container to preserve them while I was looking for a small fern I found some wintergreen, whose flowers are white and bell-shaped after we had finished gathering up our plants we headed home we were looking forward to showing off our finds the next day.