Run Baby Run! Identifying and Correcting Run-On Sentences This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce

Run Baby Run!

Identifying and Correcting Run-On Sentences

This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission.

What is a Run-On?

A run on sentence is two or more complete thoughts that “run together” because there is no word or punctuation to separate them.

Ex: The best computers are very fast they can

download an average novel in three minutes.


Four Run-On Fixes

#1. Make Two Separate Sentences

Ex. The best computers run very fast they can download an average novel in about three minutes.

Fix: The best computers run very fast. They can download an average novel in about three minutes.


Four Run-On Fixes

#2. Comma Plus Conjunction

Ex: We are visiting the new neighbors on our street you may want to visit them tomorrow.

Fix: We are visiting the new neighbors on our street. You may want to visit them tomorrow.

Conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, so, yet


Four Run-On Fixes:

#3. Use a Semicolon

Ex: We are working hard on the parade float we’d love your help.

Fix: We are working hard on the parade float; we’d love your help.


Four Run-On Fixes:

#4: Change part of the sentence to a dependent clause and add a comma.

Ex: Our new boss is working very hard, he is not making good decisions.

Fix: Even though our new boss is working very hard, he is not making good decisions.


Domestic animals are not able to survive in the wild a few have managed to learn to survive.

Visitors can see many different kinds of animals in the zoo in some zoos then can touch certain animals.

I couldn’t run as fast as the other people in the race I quit trying.

Correcting Run-Ons: Practice


Fussy Fragments

Identifying Complete and Incomplete Sentences


What Makes a Sentence?


Fragments on the GED

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT

Questions on the TABE, OPT, and the GED will require you to recognize when a sentence is incomplete and choose the correct revision.


Identifying Fragments: Practice

(1) In the school year 2007-2008 over 16,000 people earned a GED in the state of Tennessee. (2) Since you can make more money with a diploma. (3) many students understand the need to take the time to go back to school to study for the GED. (4) Adult education services in every county in Tennessee and most offer day and evening classes. (5) The classes free and the materials are also provided free of charge.


Sentence 1: In the school year 2007-1008 over 16,000 people earned a GED. In the state of Tennessee.

A.No correction is necessary

B.Remove the period and change the capital “I” to a lower case “I”

C.Insert a period after GED

D.Insert the word “by” after GED



Sentences 2 and 3: Since you can make more money with a diploma. many students understand the need to take the time to go back to school to study for the GED.

A. diploma and many students understandB. diploma, many students understandC. diploma so many students understandD. diploma’s many students understand



Sentence 4: Adult education services in every county in Tennessee and most offer day and evening classes.

A.Insert a comma after services

B.Replace and with because

C.Insert are offered after services

D.No Correction Is Necessary



Sentence 5: The classes free and the materials are also provided free of charge.

A.Remove provided

B.Insert are after classes

C.Insert a comma after free

D.No Correction Necessary



Coordinating Conjunctions

Correcting and Creating Sentences using




Complete sentences are also called Independent Clauses.

A compound sentence is two Independent Clauses joined together using coordinating conjunctions.

Examples: and, yet, but, for, or, nor, so This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may

not be reproduced in any way without written permission.


Use a COMMA when combining two independent clauses.

Example: The people in our neighborhood decided to have a yard sale. They will have a party afterward.

The people in our neighborhood decided to

have a yard sale, and they will have a party afterward.


Coordinating Conjunctions: Practice

EX: I want to go to college. First I have to finish my GED.

The best way to join these two sentences is:

A. I want to go to college, but first I have to finish my GED.

B. I want to finish my GED and go to college.

C. I want to go to college, and first I have to finish my GED.


Coordinating Conjunctions: Practice

EX: It is almost time for the kids to go back to school. Let’s throw a back to school party!

The best way to join these two sentences is:

A. It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school, but let’s throw a back to school party!

B. It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school, so let’s throw a back to school party!

C. It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school, and let’s throw a back to school party!

This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may


Complex Sentences

Correcting and Creating Complex Sentences


Clauses, Clauses, Clauses!

Independent Clause: A complete sentence. It is independent because it can stand on its own.

Dependent or Subordinating Clause: A fragment. It is dependent because it CAN NOT stand alone. It must be attached to an independent clause!


Creating a Complex Sentence

Complex Sentence: this is the combination of an independent clause (complete sentence) and a dependent clause (fragment).

The punctuation used to join these two clauses depends on which of the clauses come first in the sentence.

Subordinating Conjunctions: because, as, since, although, even, if, unless, so, after before, once, until, when, while



If the Independent Clause comes before the dependent clause, use a Subordinating Conjunction to join the two clauses.

Ex: You are my friend because I can trust you.

Ex: The sun looks so pretty after a month of cloudy skies.



If the Dependent Clause comes before the Independent Clause, use a comma AND a Subordinating Conjunction to join the two clauses.

Ex: Because you are my friend, I can trust you.

After a month of cloudy skies, the sun looks so pretty.



Review:I.C. + S.C.+ D.C. = Complex Sentence

S.C. + D.C. + COMMA + I.C. = Complex Sentence


Creating a Complex Sentence: Practice

Choose the sentence that is written correctly:

We are going to the store, because we need milk.They went home after, the party ended. She was the best friend I ever had so I cried when she moved away.No one knew why he moved away, but everyone missed him.




A.Because it had rained earlier the ground was soft and muddy.

B.After we came back from the store, everyone had to help put away the groceries.

C.While the girls brush their teeth you, should pick out your clothes for school.




A.When you go to school be sure you turn in your homework.

B.I am going to study very hard so I can pass my test.

C.We walked for an hour, before we realized we were going in the wrong direction!


Correcting Errors in

Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure


What is Parallel Structure?

When a sentence structure is Parallel the verbs are in the same tense throughout and the words assume the same form.

Parallel Structure makes sentences flow nicely and keeps them readable.


Examples of Parallel Structure

Incorrect Ex: We decided to go to dinner, go to a movie, and are having dessert at my home afterward.

Correct Example: We decided to go to dinner, go to a movie, and have dessert at my home afterward.


Examples of Parallel Structure

Incorrect Ex: We are helping my mother dust, vacuum, and are mopping the floors.

Correct Example: We are helping my mother dust, vacuum and mop the floors.


Parallel Structure: Guided Practice

One of the great things about basketball is that it doesn’t require a lot of equipment, space or needing too many people to play.

A. No Correction Necessary

B. Insert a comma after basketball

C. Insert a period after equipment

D. Replace needing too many people with

playersThis curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may


Parallel Structure: Guided Practice

Basketball is a good sport for helping people get in shape, make new friends or spending time with your kids.

A. Change spending to to spend

B. Remove the comma after shape

C. Change spending to spend

D. Change spending to enjoy spending


Subject-Verb Agreement

Can’t We All Just Get Along?


Complete sentences must have a SUBJECT and a VERB!

Subjects are either SINGLUAR (one) or PLURAL (more than one).

Subjects and verbs must agree in number. A singular verb must be matched with a singular subject. A plural verb must be matched with a plural subject.

Singular and Plural


My friends and I ___ sending letters to soldiers. (is/are)

David ___ too fast and I am afraid he will get a ticket. (drives/drive)

The announcer on TV ___ too slowly. (talk/talks) ____ the cost of gas gone up this week?

(Has/Have)


Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns represent Groups Even though Groups are made up of more than

one person or thing, they are considered as SINGULAR because they represent ONE group.

EX: The group want to know how you will vote. (singular subject, plural verb)

EX: The group wants to know how you will vote. (singular subject, singular verb)

Collective Nouns: Group, herd, flock, class, bunch


Collective Nouns: Practice

Our class ___ every Tuesday and Thursday. (meet)

The flock of birds ___ high over the treetops. (fly)

The high school staff ___ spring break more than the kids do! (enjoy)

The herd of bison ___ the plains. (roam)


Singular Subjects

These words are ALWAYS singular:

One & words ending with one (none, anyone, everyone)

Words ending in ‘body’ (somebody, nobody, anybody)

Each, Other, Neither, Either, Much


Singular Subjects: Practice

Everyone __ that we are having a Memorial Day party soon. (know/knows)

Nobody __ my cell phone this late at night. (call/calls)

Neither ___ a car. (own/owns)

Each of us ___ our own decisions. (make/makes)


Plural Subjects

These subjects are ALWAYS plural:

SeveralBothManyFew


Plural Subjects: Practice

Several students ___ full time jobs while going to school. (work/works)

Few of them ___ good grades. (make/makes)

Both work and school ___ full time jobs! (is/are)

Many people __ to do both, but it is very difficult. (try/tries)


Compound Subjects

Compound Subjects joined by OR / NOR, make the verb match the noun nearest to the verb.

EX: The officers or the president needs to take control of the project.EX: My friend or his brothers are going to take the food home.


Compound Subjects: Practice

The students or the teacher __ to fill out the forms and mail them in. (need/needs)

My sister nor her friends ___ to go to the concert. (want/wants)

The convict nor the officers ___ being in jail. (enjoy/enjoys)


Verbs, Verbs, Verbs!

Verb Tense & Helping Verbs


Verbs: Action or State of Being

Action Verbs show movement or action!He runs five miles a day.

She cooks for her family every night.

State of being Verbs show that something or someone exists!

He is going to the store.

The dog and cat are best friends.


Tense Means Time!

There are three “simple” tenses: Past, Present, and Future.

Past: I walked to the park yesterday.

Present: I walk there everyday.

Future: I will walk to the park tomorrow.


Tense Means Time!

Perfect tenses must have a helping verb.

My old dog cannot run. He has stopped playing Frisbee. This dog had been a police dog before we adopted him.He will have been retired for two years.


Verb Tense on the GED

Tests will not require identification of the tense used in a sentence.

Tests will require identification of which verb tense is used correctly.


Simple Verb Tense: Practice

We can ____ things from the past. (learn)

I ____ the books yesterday. (return)

They _____ in 2012. (marry)

I have _____ the gift to her. (give)

The police _____ the man for robbery yesterday. (arrest)

Mom ______ the best turkey casserole I have ever tasted. (make)


Simple Verb Tense: Practice

We have ____ lunch. (ate)

Some parents ____ their toddlers to read. (teach)

The dogs in the show have ____ for many hours to learn to compete. (train)

The investigation of the robbery has ____ that he is guilty. (show)

There are 300 students who have ____the GED in this program. (pass)


Common Irregular Verbs

Present Past FutureBlow Blew Blown

Eat Ate Eaten

Know Knew Known

See Saw Seen

Take Took Taken


Common Irregular Verb: Practice

Choose the correct verb for the sentence:

Outside the wind _____ fiercely, but inside the family was safe and warm.

(Blown, Blew, Blow)

Before she knew it the children had _______ all their supper.

(Eat, Ate, Eaten)


Correctly Using and Punctuating Interrupters

Interrupters


Interrupters

Interrupters are phrases or words that separate the subject and the verb. Use commas to set off the phrase or word.

Also, you can spot interrupters easily. These words or phrases can be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.


How to Spot Interrupters!

An interrupter is a word or words that describe the subject of the sentence.

Ex: Eagles, our national bird, live in mountainous areas.

The subject is Eagles. The verb is live. The phrase our national bird just gives more detail, but it could be removed.



Ex: Your second cousin, Bob, will take us to the race on Sunday.

The word cousin is the subject. The verb is will take. Bob is the interrupter. Bob gives more information about the cousin, but this word could be removed.

Notice the commas around the word Bob.



Parenthetical Phrases such as: Of course, In addition, For example, However, many add detail, but are not required for the sentence to be complete. They can also be interrupters.

Ex: We will, however, continue to work toward a peaceful resolution to this problem.


Interrupters: Practice Of course no one took what he said

seriously.

You friend Myra is beautiful, but obnoxious.

Math 110 a prerequisite for Math 111 is only taught in summer term.

Social Studies 220 however can be taken in spring, fall or summer term.


The most confusing uses of the letter ‘s’!

Plurals/Contractions/Possessives


Plurals

Plurals are words that mean “more than one”. These words typically end in ‘s’ or ‘es’

EX: girls, boys, dogs, homes, sistersEx: foxes, presses, churches

NOTE: There are NO apostrophes in plurals!This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may


Plurals

There are some plurals that break the rules. Such as: children, wives, teeth, mice, etc. If a noun ends in ‘y’, change it to ‘i’ and ad ‘es’: cries, cities, tries

NOTE: There are no apostrophes in Plurals!


Contractions are formed when two words are joined into one word. Contractions are used in speaking and in some writing.

DO NOT use Contractions in writing the GED ESSAY.

.

DO NOT confuse Contractions with Possessives.

Contractions


Contractions

The apostrophe is used to take the place of the letter that is being “left out” when the two words are joined.

EX: do not = don’t : The apostrophe takes the place of the letter ‘o’EX: they will = they’ll : The apostrophe takes the place of the letters ‘w’ and ‘i’


Possessive Nouns

Possessive forms of nouns show ownership.

A possessive noun is made by using an apostrophe if the word is singular or is an irregular noun not ending in ‘s’.

EX: The football team’s next game is on Friday. EX: Amanda’s new car looks expensive. EX: We have a new women’s club in Nashville.


Possessive Nouns A Plural noun is made possessive by

adding an apostrophe after the ‘s’ in the word. No additional ‘s’ is needed.

EX: The players’ uniforms have arrived. EX: All of Elvis’ movies are playing on cable this

weekend. EX: The boys’ shoes were all over the floor.


WARNING!!!

Be careful not to confuse possessives with contractions. Both use an apostrophe.

Remember, a contraction uses the apostrophe to replace letters. A possessive uses the apostrophe to show ownership!

EX: The children’s books don’t have enough pictures.

EX: It’s a great day for Susan’s graduation. This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may


Words to Watch!

They’re (they are) Their (possessive) There (location) Two (the number) Too (also) To (direction)

You’re (belongs to you)

You’re (you are) Its (belonging to it) It’s (it is)


Practice:

National Wear Red Day is a holiday to promote womens heart health.

Its a day when all women should think about making healthy choices.

Women must make good decisions about they’re health.

Wearing red shows that you care about womens’ health issues.


Commas

Using Commas Correctly


Punctuation: Commas

There are many comma rules.

The Good News: The GED focuses on only a handful of these rules.

For our purposes, we will study 5 occasions for using commas!


Punctuation: Commas: Rule 1

Items in a Series: Use commas to separate more than two words or phrases that appear in a series.

Ex: The students are collecting paper, cans and plastic for the recycling drive.

Ex: We will find the campsite, put up the tent and launch the boat before you arrive.



Practice:My favorite foods are pizza barbeque and chicken wings.

Today I am making out my list going to the store finding the best bargains and returning home as quickly as possible.

My daughter is afraid of the dark spiders and the doctor.



Separate Two Sentences: When you have two sentences joined together by a conjunction, you must use a comma before the conjunction.

Ex: We were tired after the swim, but we cooked a great meal for our guests.

Ex: He is my best friend, and I am going to keep in touch with him.


Punctuation: Commas: Rule 2PracticeThe cats are very loving but they need constant attention.

The lions are wild therefore we will need to hire an expert to care for them.

John and I are coming to the party but we will have to leave in one hour.

She is a sweet and her family adores her. This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may



Separate Months, Days, Years, Cities, States and Countries: Commas are used when writing a date to keep the days, months and numbers from running together. They are used to separate cities, states and countries, also.

Ex: January 25, 1968 Monday, May 8

Ex: Murfreesboro, TN Lenoir City, TN, USA


Punctuation: Commas: Rule 3PracticePlease change my address to 122 West Ave. Memphis TN 37788.

The wedding is on March 15 2012 at 609 Cherry Street in Cookeville TN 37799.

His address has changed to 4545 Mill Creek Rd. in Knoxville TN 37778.

We are leaving Monday May 3 2011.This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and may



Dependent Clause at the Beginning of a SentenceEx: Because you are my friend, I will trust you.

HOWEVER: A dependent clause at the END of a sentence does NOT require a comma. Ex: I will trust you because you are my friend.



PracticeSince you are already here you can stay for lunch.

When you passed my car I could tell that your tire was low.

Because I like children I have decided to become an elementary school teacher.

Knowing my husband he will home late from work tonight.



Set Off a Noun or Phrase Describing a Noun The word or words you are “setting off “with commas could be left out of the sentence without changing the meaning or clarity of the sentence.

Ex: Susan, my best friend, is thirty years old.

That dog, a black lab, is very friendly.

My favorite game, UNO, is great fun.



PracticeI go to school at The University of Tennessee one of the best schools in the state.

John and Mary, my friends from high school, are working at Allied Tire.

Grammar my favorite subject is fun for me.


Documents

Run Baby Run! Identifying and Correcting Run-On Sentences This curriculum was written with funding from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce