Chapter 16: Run-on Sentences

1. Chapter 16: Run-on Sentences Run-on Sentences 1. The run-on sentence is two or more sentences that are combined without the proper punctuation. • Example of run-on sentence: The night was very cold my fingers felt frozen. • The previous sentence should have the appropriate punctuation (period, coordinating conjunction with comma, semicolon, conjunctive adverb with semicolon, or subordinating conjunction) between the two independent clauses. • Example corrected: The night was very cold. My fingers felt frozen.

2. Chapter 15: Run-on Sentences Comma Splices 2. The comma splice is the same as a run-on, except a comma sits between the two independent clauses (or sentences). • Example of a comma splice: The night was very cold, my fingers felt frozen. • The previous sentence should have the appropriate punctuation (period, coordinating conjunction with comma, semicolon, conjunctive adverb with semicolon, or subordinating conjunction) between the two independent clauses. • Example corrected: The night was very cold. My fingers felt frozen.

3. Chapter 15: Run-on Sentences To correct run-ons and comma splices, you can do the following: • Method 1: Period and Capital Letter • The night was very cold. My fingers felt frozen. • Method 2: Comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) • The night was very cold, and my fingers felt frozen. • Method 3: Semicolon • The night was very cold; my fingers felt frozen. • Method 4: Semicolon and Transitional Expression (conjunctive adverb) • The night was very cold; moreover, my fingers felt frozen. • Method 5: Dependent (subordinating conjunction) word • Since the night was very cold, my fingers felt frozen. • My fingers felt frozen because the night was very cold.

4. Chapter 15: Run-on Sentences A Special Case: the word That • In some sentences, the dependent word that may be implied. The sentence may look like a run-on, but it is not. • Example: The co-workers never would have guessed they would win the lottery in the following month. • In the previous example, the word that could be inserted as follows: • The co-workers never would have guessed that they would win the lottery in the following month. • Remember: If the word that can be inserted between two independent clauses, the sentence is not a run-on.

5. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Identify if the sentence is correct or a run-on or a comma splice, and correct the sentence with a semicolon. Q. The city looks so pretty at night, the trees on the sidewalks have lights that sparkle. A. comma splice A. The city looks so pretty at night; the trees on the sidewalks have lights that sparkle. Q. In Bleak House, by Charles Dickens, my favorite character is Esther Summerson, but I find Lady Dedlock an interesting character as well. A. correct

6. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Identify if the sentence is correct or a run-on or a comma splice, and correct the sentence with a semicolon. Q. For the holiday dinner, my mother will make a delicious cake my father will bake the bread. A. run-on A. For the holiday dinner, my mother will make a delicious cake; my father will bake the bread. Q. At first I was very sad, later I became so excited. A. comma splice A. At first I was very sad; later I became so excited.

7. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Correct the following sentences with a semicolon. Q. My uncle was born in Ireland, he graduated from a college in Dublin. A. My uncle was born in Ireland;he graduated from a college in Dublin. Q. Students will succeed in college however they need to do the homework. A. Students will succeed in college;however,they need to do the homework.

8. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Correct the following sentences with coordinating conjunctions. Q. When we are finished with college, we will begin fantastic careers, we will be very happy. A. When we are finished with college, we will begin fantastic careers, so we will be very happy. Q. Anne Marie works in the English Department the students think she’s very helpful. A. Anne Marie works in the English Department, and the students think she’s very helpful.

9. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Correct the following sentences with periods. Q. It’s raining outside I don’t think I’ll go skating this afternoon. A. It’s raining outside. I don’t think I’ll go skating this afternoon. Q. The student lives in an apartment near the campus, his classes are held in a nearby building. A. The student lives in an apartment near the campus. His classes are held in a nearby building. Q. Matt wanted to take a pottery class, he took painting instead. A. Matt wanted to take a pottery class. He took painting instead.

10. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Correct the following sentences with semicolons and transitional expressions (conjunctive adverbs). Q. My puppy padded through the entire apartment on his muddy paws I will have to clean the rugs. A. My puppy padded through the entire apartment on his muddy paws; therefore, I will have to clean the rugs. Q. I need to buy wrapping paper and tape I have many packages to wrap before the party. A. I need to buy wrapping paper and tape; needless to say, I have many packages to wrap before the party.

11. Chapter 15: Run-on SentencesExercises • Correct the following sentences with dependent words (subordinating conjunctions). Q. We arrived at the party I was elated because my friends were there. A. When we arrived at the party, I was elated because my friends were there. Q. Misha went the park she went to the lake. A. Misha went to the park after she went to the lake. Q. The temperature outside is high I still want to take a walk. A. Although the temperature outside is high, I still want to take a walk.