1.  WEEK ONE Run-On Sentences

2. First step to spotting a run-on  The first thing you have to know is what constitutes a good sentence.  A workable sentence is at least one independent clause (IC).

3. Independent Clause  An independent clause has a subject and a related verb that stand on their own.  Example: I want tacos for lunch.

4. Examples of ICs (complete sentences)  My cats are awfully rambunctious. (Who or what are? Cats. Cats do what? Are)  The book has a wonderful ending. ( book has)  Go! (There is an understood subject here: you. So “ you go” is the IC.)

5. PRACTICE: Write each sentence. Underline the subject. Circle the verb. All of these examples are ICs that stand on their own. 1. June marks the beginning of summer. 2. Randy’s boot makes a great door stop. 3. The gift my mom got me was really wonderful. 4. Leave the flowers on the table, please. 5. The tops of the trees swayed with the breeze.

6. Day 2 – Run-On Sentences  You can combine two ICs to form a complete sentence. However, these ICs must be joined properly with punctuation or conjunctions.  When not joined properly, combined ICs become run-on sentences.

7. There are 3 ways to make this error: 1. Put 2 ICs together with nothing in between: Ex: I burned the biscuits Bill bake me better ones. 2. Put 2 ICs together with just a comma: Ex: Horses are beautiful animals, porcupines are not. 3. Put 2 long ICs together with just a coordinating conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So = FANBOYS): Ex: Snow and ice make for a terrible combination for new drivers to try to navigate but we can’t limit new drivers licenses and new learning permits to the summer months only.

8. Practice: Mark the following sentences as complete (IC) or run-on  Football and futbol sound like the same word but futbol and soccer are really more similar if you’re comparing sports. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)  Whoever wants to play soccer this school year should meet at the soccer field with shoes and a permission form. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)  I took my daughter to the Justin Bieber concert there were 14,000 people there. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)  The concert featured Justin Bieber, Mike Posner, and Hot Chelle Rae. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)  Lincoln High is the oldest high school in Lincoln and the second oldest in Nebraska. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)  A tomato is generally considered a vegetable, it’s really a fruit. (complete sentence/run-on sentence)