Level 1:
A run-on sentence is when we put two or more complete sentences together without the right punctuation. This makes it hard to understand. We should use periods, commas and conjunctions correctly so our writing is clear and easy to read. There are many mistakes that can lead to a run-on sentence. We can practice by identifying and correcting these mistakes. We can become better writers by practicing and being patient. We can take a writing course, work with a tutor, or join a writing group to get feedback. With practice and dedication, we can improve our writing skills and become confident writers!
Level 2:
A run-on sentence happens when we join two or more sentences without punctuation. It makes the sentence hard to understand. We need to use correct punctuation like periods, commas and conjunctions to ensure our writing is easy to read. Common mistakes that lead to run-on sentences include overusing conjunctions and combining too many ideas in one sentence. We can practice identifying these mistakes to become better writers. We can join a writing group, work with a tutor, or take a writing course to improve our skills. With patience and effort, we can become confident writers!
Full Story:
A run-on sentence is when two or more complete sentences are joined together without the right punctuation or connecting words. This can make it hard for the reader to understand what you are trying to say. It is important to avoid run-on sentences so that your writing is clear and easy to read.
Essentially, a run-on sentence is one where two or more independent clauses (i.e., complete sentences) are joined together without proper punctuation.
For example: “I went to the store I bought some milk.” This sentence is a run-on because it combines two complete thoughts without any punctuation to separate them.
Some other examples of run-on sentences include:
“She wasn’t sure what to do she decided to call her friend.” “The movie was long it was also boring.” “He is tall however he’s not very good at basketball.”
How to fix run on sentences:
“I went to the store. I bought some milk.” (Corrected using a period to separate the two thoughts) “She wasn’t sure what to do, so she decided to call her friend.” (Corrected using a comma and coordinating conjunction to join the two thoughts) “The movie was long and boring.” (Corrected by removing the second subject and verb, since they were unnecessary)
Other ways to correct run-on sentences include:
Using a semicolon to join related independent clauses: “He is tall; however, he’s not very good at basketball.” Separating the clauses into two separate sentences: “The concert was amazing. The band played all my favorite songs.”
There are many common mistakes that can lead to run-on sentences, including:
Failing to use proper punctuation: As we saw in the example above, failing to use proper punctuation (such as a period, comma, or semicolon) can result in a run-on sentence.
Overusing conjunctions: While coordinating conjunctions like “and,” “or,” and “but” can be useful for joining clauses together, using them too frequently can result in run-on sentences.
Combining too many ideas: When you try to pack too many ideas into a single sentence, you may end up with a run-on. Try to limit yourself to one or two ideas per sentence, and break longer passages into shorter paragraphs if necessary.
Practice Exercises: Examples of Sentences That Need to Be Corrected and How to Fix Them
One of the best ways to improve your writing skills is through practice. Here are some examples of sentences that need to be corrected, along with an explanation of how to fix them.
Run-on sentence: “I woke up early this morning I went for a jog before work.”
Correction: “I woke up early this morning and went for a jog before work.” (Using a coordinating conjunction to join the two clauses)
Comma splice: “The sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day outside.”
Correction: “The sun is shining; it’s a beautiful day outside.” (Using a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses)
Lack of subject-verb agreement: “The dogs barks loudly when strangers come by.”
Correction: “The dogs bark loudly when strangers come by.” (Changing “barks” to “bark” to match the plural subject)
Fragment: “After dinner, we went to the movies.”
Correction: This sentence doesn’t require correction! It’s a complete sentence.
Dangling modifier: “Walking to the store, the flowers looked beautiful.”
Correction: “While walking to the store, I saw that the flowers looked beautiful.” (Adding a subject to the sentence so the modifier has something to modify)
By practicing identifying and correcting common errors like run-on sentences, comma splices, and lack of subject-verb agreement, you can become a stronger, more effective writer.
We discussed some common mistakes that lead to run-on sentences, including improper punctuation, overuse of conjunctions, and combining too many ideas. We also provided examples of sentences that required correction and explained how to correct them.
Remember that improving your writing skills takes practice and patience. Don’t be discouraged if you make mistakes along the way - even experienced writers make errors. The key is to keep practicing and actively seeking out opportunities to improve. Consider working with a tutor, taking a writing course, or joining a writing group to get feedback on your work and learn new techniques.
By being mindful of common writing mistakes and dedicating yourself to consistent practice, you can become a more confident and effective writer. Keep at it, and don’t forget to celebrate your progress along the way!
Questions:
What is a run-on sentence?
Why is it important to use proper punctuation in writing?
What are some common mistakes that lead to run-on sentences?
Do you think joining a writing group can help improve your writing skills? Why or why not?
In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of avoiding run-on sentences?
Fill In the Blanks:
Fragment, punctuation
A run-on sentence is when two or more complete sentences are joined together without the right ________ or connecting words.
Run-on sentence: “I woke up early this morning I went for a jog before work.”
Correction: “I woke up early this morning and went for a jog before work.” (Using a coordinating conjunction to join the two clauses)
Comma splice: “The sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day outside.”
Correction: “The sun is shining; it’s a beautiful day outside.” (Using a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses)
Lack of subject-verb agreement: “The dogs barks loudly when strangers come by.”
Correction: “The dogs bark loudly when strangers come by.” (Changing “barks” to “bark” to match the plural subject)
________: “After dinner, we went to the movies.”
Correction: This sentence doesn’t require correction!
Difficult Words:
run-on sentence - a sentence that is made up of two or more independent clauses that are not properly separated
punctuation - the use of marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons to clarify meaning in written text
connecting words - words that are used to join ideas together to form coherent sentences, such as conjunctions and transitional phrases
coordinating conjunctions - a type of conjunction that joins two or more elements of equal syntactic importance, such as “and”, “or”, and “but”
semicolons - a punctuation mark (;) used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in thought
subject-verb agreement - a grammatical rule in which the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number (i.e., singular or plural)
fragment - an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, predicate or both
dangling modifier - a word or phrase that modifies part of a sentence that it should not logically modify, often resulting in confusion or ambiguity.
