2. Fixing Run-on Sentences
A 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.
3. Fixing Run-on Sentences
2. 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.
4. Fixing Run-on Sentences
3. 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.
5. Fixing Run-on Sentences
4. 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 passed
Because the psychology test was easy, I passed.
6. Fixing Run-on Sentences
Transitional 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.
7. Fixing Run-on Sentences
Now it’s your turn to fix some run-on sentences
The 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.
8. Fixing Run-on Sentences
Let’s fix some more run-on sentences
During 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.
9. Graded Assignment
On 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.
10. Graded Assignment
Directions: 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.
