Correcting the RUN- On

Correcting the RUN- ON

In conversation, as we relate an event that involves a series of connected actions, we may string together our thoughts as if they were just Here is what one person who was involved in a car accident recently reported to the police officer who arrived on the scene:

I was driving along Route 80 and my daughter asked my wife to change the radio station and my wife told my daughter to do it herself so she unhooked her seatbelt and reached over from the back seat to change the station but then her brother tickled her and she lost her balance and fell on the gear shift and that moved the gear into neutral so the car instantly lost power and that’s when we were hit by the van behind us.

The man relating the car accident ran each part of this entire event together without any separation. As a result, the account appears as a run- on sentence. Whoever must write the report of this accident needs to use a more acceptable form. You cannot combine independent clauses without some kind of punctuation.

What are RUN- ON- SENTENCES?

Run- on- sentences are sentences are independent clauses that

have been combined incorrectly. They are sentences that contain too many ideas without proper

punctuation.

How many kinds of run- ons are there?

Run- on- sentences occur when you are either unable to recognize

where one complete idea has ended and another big idea begins or is not sure of the

standard ways of connecting ideas.

THE FUSED RUN- ON

Two or more independent clauses are run together without any

punctuation.Incorrect: I met Charlyce we soon

became friends.

THE COMMA SPLICE

Two or more independent clauses are run together with only a

comma.Incorrect: I met Charlyce, we soon

became friends.

THE “AND” RUN- ON

Two or more independent clauses are connected with a coordinating

conjunction but there is no punctuation.

Incorrect: I met Charlyce and we soon became friends.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A COMPLETE SENTENCE FROM A RUN- ON?

1. Make two sentences with end punctuation.

correct: I met Charlyce. We soon became friends.

2. Make a compound sentence using one of the three methods of

coordination.correct: I met Charlyce, and we soon

became friends.I met Charlyce; furthermore,we soon

became friends.I met Charlyce, we soon became

friends.

3. Make a complex sentence using subordination.

correct: Soon after I met Charlyce, we became friends.Charlyce and I became friends

soon after we met.

DETERMINE WHETHER EACH IS A RUN- ON OR A COMPLETE

SENTENCE.1. My academic advisor told me

not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I'm regretting not

having listened to her.


SENTENCE.2. My cat was upset all day he

didn't get canned food for breakfast.


SENTENCE.3. Organizations that promise

students a scholarship if they pay an extraordinarily high

application fee are most likely scams.


SENTENCE.4. Because Rose was late for the all-you-can-eat buffet, she had to

order from the main menu.


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

behavior.


SENTENCE.6. Although an immigration

lawyer might help me to stay in this country, his fees are too expensive for me to afford.


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


SENTENCE.8. We followed the map we ended

up in Canada instead.


SENTENCE.9. Although the trip to Montreal was not very well planned, we

had a great time.


SENTENCE.10. I received an A on my

Psychology test I am happy.

CORRECT THE FOLLOWING RUN- ON SENTENCES.

1. My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the

fall semester I regret I didn't listen to her.


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

breakfast.


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

behavior.


4. Ron was chopping the vegetables Ginny was boiling the

rice.


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

in Canada instead.


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

essay.


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


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


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

classes.


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

undercover agent.

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Correcting the RUN- On