5 Questions
What is a run-on sentence?
A run-on sentence is incorrectly joined by two or more independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunction.
Which coordinating conjunctions can be used to fix run-on sentences? (Select all that apply)
yet
Separate the independent clauses with a __________. Mary was sick. She did not go to her friend's party yesterday.
period
Match the techniques with examples to fix run-on sentences:
Separate the independent clauses with a period = Mary was sick. She did not go to her friend's party yesterday. Separate the independent clauses with a semicolon = Mary was sick; she did not go to her friend's party yesterday. Insert a comma and add a coordinating conjunction = Mary was sick, so she did not go to her friend's party yesterday. Turn one of the independent clauses into a subordinate one = Since Mary was sick, she did not go to her friend's party yesterday.
What is a subordinating conjunction, and how is it used to fix run-on sentences?
A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. It helps create complex sentences and improve sentence structure.
Study Notes
What is a Run-on Sentence?
- A run-on sentence is when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
- It is a series of ideas badly connected, making the sentence too long, confusing, and lacking logic.
Independent Clauses
- An independent clause is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought.
- An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Fixing Run-on Sentences
1. Separate Independent Clauses with a Period
- Example: Mary was sick. She did not go to her friend’s party yesterday.
2. Separate Independent Clauses with a Semicolon
- A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses with similar topics.
- Example: Mary was sick; she did not go to her friend’s party yesterday.
3. Insert a Comma and Add a Coordinating Conjunction
- Coordinating conjunctions join two equally important parts of the sentence.
- Examples of coordinating conjunctions: so, yet, but, and, or, nor, for.
- Example: Mary was sick, so she did not go to her friend’s party yesterday.
4. Turn One of the Independent Clauses into a Subordinate Clause
- A subordinate clause (also known as a dependent clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.
- Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions such as when, while, before, after, although, as, since.
- Example: Since Mary was sick, she did not go to her friend’s party yesterday.
Practice Exercises
- Separate independent clauses with a period, semicolon, or comma and coordinating conjunction.
- Turn one of the independent clauses into a subordinate clause using subordinating conjunctions.
This resource is designed for English Language Learners (ELLs) to improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It provides brief explanations and examples of common mistakes and corrections.
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