Run-on Sentences



Run-on Sentences Workshop

Wednesday, February 28th

Definition: A run-on contains two independent clauses combined without proper punctuation (or two sentences in one).

Example #1 (run-on)

Today I am tired I will take a nap later.

Grammatical Error: This run-on has two separate independent clauses, or complete sentences, with no conjunction and no punctuation.

Reasoning: The first part of the sentence "Today I am tired" is an independent clause or a complete sentence, and the second phrase "I will take a nap later" is also an independent clause or a complete sentence. Therefore, we have two sentences in one without proper punctuation to connect them.

There are three ways to correct a run-on:

Corrected Examples

1. Separate the run-on by making two different sentences.

Today I am tired. I will take a nap later.

2. Join the two sentences correctly by adding a comma and a coordinate conjunction.

Today I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

3. Join the two sentences correctly by inserting a semi colon (;).

Today I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Exercise 1: Identifying Run-on Sentences

Decide if the sentence is a run-on or a complete sentence.

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1) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I'm regretting not having listened to her.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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2) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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3) Organizations that promise students a scholarship if they pay an extraordinarily high application fee are most likely scams.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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4) Because Rose was late for the all-you-can-eat buffet, she had to order from the main menu.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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5) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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6) Although an immigration lawyer might help me to stay in this country, his fees are too expensive for me to afford.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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7) I like the history class because the material is explained so well.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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8) We followed the map we ended up in Canada instead.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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9) Although the trip to Montreal was not very well planned, we had a great time.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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10) I received an A on my Psychology test I am happy.

a) Run-On b) Complete Sentence

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Exercise 2: Choosing the corrected sentence

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1) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I regret I didn't listen to her.

a.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this semester, and now I regret not having listened to her.

b.) When my academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this semester, and I now regret not having listened to her.

c.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours this semester, now I regret that I did not listen to her.

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2) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast.

a.) My can was upset all day. Because he did not get canned food for breakfast.

b.) My cat was upset all day because he did not get canned food for breakfast.

c.) Because my cat was upset today and did not get canned food for breakfast.

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3) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior.

a.) The student fell asleep in class, and everyone thought this was rude behavior.

b.) The student was falling asleep in class, and although everyone thought this was rude behavior.

c.) Even though the student fell asleep in class, and everyone thought this was rude behavior.

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4) Ron was chopping the vegetables Ginny was boiling the rice.

a.) Ron was chopping the vegetables, and Ginny was boiling the rice.

b.) When Ron was chopping the vegetables and Ginny was boiling the rice.

c.) Ron was chopping vegetables and while Ginny was boiling the rice.

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5) When we wanted to drive to the park we followed the direction from our neighbors we ended up in Canada instead.

a.) When we wanted to drive to the park, we followed the directions we received from our neighbors and ended up in Canada instead.

b.) We wanted to drive to the park as we followed the directions we received from our neighbors we ended up in Canada.

c.) Because we wanted to drive to the park and got wrong directions and ended up in Canada.

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6) Peggy is a writing instructor she knows how to write a brilliant essay.

a.) Because Peggy is a writing instructor and knows how to write a brilliant essay.

b.) Peggy who is a writing instructor and knows how to write and essay.

c.) Peggy is a writing instructor. She knows how to write a brilliant essay.

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7) I prefer walking riding the bike hurts my knees.

a.) I prefer walking. So riding the bike hurts my knees.

b.) I prefer walking for riding the bike hurts my knees.

c.) Since riding the bike hurts my knees and I prefer walking.

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8) The anatomy test was very hard Joann got an A.

a.) Just as Joann got an A in the very hard anatomy test.

b.) Because the anatomy test was hard and Joann got an A.

c.) Although the anatomy test was very hard, Joann got an A.

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9) The ability to write a good essay is essential you need to take writing intensive English classes.

a.) Due to the fact that the ability to write good essays is essential and you need to take writing intensive English classes.

b.) You need to take writing intensive English classes due to the fact that the ability to write a good essay is essential.

c.) Since you need to take writing intensive classes, and the ability to write a good essay is essential.

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10) My friend is in jail, but he is not a dangerous criminal he is an undercover agent.

a.) Because my friend is an undercover agent who is in jail right now and not a dangerous criminal.

b.) My friend who is in jail right now is not a dangerous criminal, but an undercover agent.

c.) My friend is in jail because he is an undercover agent he is not a dangerous criminal.

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