McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.. All rights reserved. 1 Run-On Sentences Prepared by Professors Paul Harris & Rita Perkins

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. There are Two Types of Run-On Sentences Rob exercises everyday he should be in good condition. Rob exercises everyday, he should be in good condition. ErrorErrorErrorError Fused Sentences: They are fused or joined together as if they were only one thought. Comma Splices: A comma is used to connect or “splice” together the two complete thoughts. A comma alone is NOT ENOUGH to connect two complete sentences.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. How to Correct Run-Ons u There are three common methods of correcting a run-on: –Use a period and a capital letter. –Use a comma plus a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) to connect the two complete thoughts. –Use a semicolon to connect the two complete thoughts: Note: A fourth method of correcting a run-on is to use subordination.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Correcting Run-On Sentences u One way of correcting a run-on is to use a period and a capital letter between the two complete sentences. Use this method especially if the thoughts are not closely related. –Kristin plays the guitar well she hopes to start her own band. –Revision: Kristin plays the guitar well. She hopes to start her own band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Correcting Run-On Sentences u Another way of correcting a run-on is to use a comma plus a joining word to connect the two complete thoughts. There are seven joining words (also called conjunctions). –Kristin plays the guitar well, and she hopes to start her own band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Adding a Coordinating Conjunction One way to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions is to put them in this order: And For Nor But OrOrOrOr Yet SoSoSoSo “FANBOYS” Michael plays the trumpet well, so he hopes to be selected for the jazz band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Correcting Run-On Sentences u A third method of correcting a run-on is to use a semicolon to mark the break between two sentences. u A semicolon looks like a period above a comma. u When it is used to correct run-ons, the semicolon can be used alone or with a transitional word. Kristin plays the guitar well; she hopes to start well; she hopes to start her own band. her own band. Also correct: Kristin plays the guitar well; consequently, well; consequently, she hopes to start her own band. her own band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 1. The temperature dropped below freezing last night. below freezing last night. We had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 1. The temperature dropped below freezing last night. We had to bring our plants indoors. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 2. The temperature dropped below freezing last night; we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 2.The temperature dropped below freezing last night; we had to bring our plants indoors. 2. The temperature dropped below freezing last night; we had to bring our plants indoors. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 3. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, so we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 3. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, so we had to bring our plants indoors. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 4. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 4. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors. Incorrect

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 5. Because the temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 5. Because the temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 6. If the temperature drops below freezing tonight, we must remember to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 6. If the temperature drops below freezing tonight, we must remember to bring our plants indoors. Correct

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 7.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, therefore, we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 7.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, therefore, we had to bring our plants indoors. Therefore” is not one of the “Therefore” is not one of the seven coordinating conjunctions, so it cannot be used with a comma between two independent clauses. independent clauses. See page 336 for a list of transitional words.. Incorrect

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 8.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, thus we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 8.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, thus we had to bring our plants indoors. Incorrect

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 9.The temperature dropped below freezing last night we had to bring our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Learning to Identify and Correct Comma Splices Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. 9.The temperature dropped below freezing last night we had to bring our plants indoors. we had to bring our plants indoors. It is a fused sentence. Incorrect

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Any Questions?