Run-ons

Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are smashed together with one sentence without proper punctuation there are a few areas in which writers fall into the run-on trap we will review those areas in this work shop thank you for coming please do not forget to take out a sheet of paper and take good notes.

Independent and Dependant Clauses

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (IC)

• A sentence that contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought.

Susan trained for the marathon.

She runs three miles a day.

Dependant Clause (DC)

• A sentence that contains a subject and a verb, but does not express a complete thought.

• Dependant clauses also contain dependant marker words

Even though she had just had a baby.

Dependant Marker Words (DM)

After Although

As As if

Because Before

Even if Even Though

If In order to

Since Though

Unless Until

Whatever When

Whenever Whether

While

Connecting Independent and Dependant Clauses

• How would you connect the past two examples?

(IC)Susan trained for the marathon.(DC)Even though she had just had a baby.

Connecting Independent and Dependant Clauses

• We can join a dependant clause with an independent using a comma.

DC Although the train is running

late.IC I will still be able to arrive at

the party at 2:30.

When Run-on Sentences Occur

• When a pronoun in the second clause refers to a noun in the first clause.

Carrie and Laura are going on a road trip they are 23 years old.

Fixing Run-on Sentences

Joyce and Laura are going on a road trip. They are 23 years old.

To fix this run-on sentence on must insert a period to create two separate sentences.

How would you fix this run-on sentence?

Troy and Marshal are playing basketball they are at the park across the street.

When Run-ons Occur

• When an independent clause gives an order based on what is said in a previous independent clause.

My friend called me and told me that the 11:00 showing of the movie was packed you should arrive early to get a good seat.

Fixing Run-On Sentences

My friend called me and told me that the 11:00 showing of the movie was packed. You should arrive early to get a good seat.

To fix this run-on one can insert a period to create two

separate sentences, or use a semi- colon.

How could you fix this sentence?

My printer is not working I need to leave early so I can

print my paper in the school library.

When Run-ons Occur

• When the second independent clause has a pronoun that connects it to the first independent clause.

My horse, Thunder, must be sick she

looks very tired.

Fixing Run-on Sentences

My horse, Thunder, must be sick. She looks very

tired. To fix this run-on sentence, one must start a new

sentence.

How could you fix this sentence?

My friend Thomas is late his car must have broken down again.

When Run-ons occur

• When two independent clauses are connected by a transitional word.

I am very tired and have had a long day however I must run a few more errands before I go home.

Fixing Run-on Sentences

I am very tired and have had a long day; however,I must run a few more errands before I go home.

To fix this run-on sentence, one can insert a period to create two separate sentences, or insert a semi-colon.

How could you fix this sentence?

My son and his father are at a baseball game today meanwhile my daughter and I are going shopping.

Comma Splice A comma splice is when a comma is used to join two

independent clauses together.

What are some of the ways you think we could solve the problem of a comma splice?

Larry drove to Mark’s house to show him his new car, Mark was not home.

Fixing A Comma Splice

• Use a period• Use a semi-colon• Use a coordinating conjunction• Use an independent marker word

Fused Sentences

Two independent clauses in one sentence without any punctuation between them.

How can we fix this problem?

Jessica is starting a new school tomorrow she already has her new clothes picked out to wear.

Fixing a Fused Sentence• Use a period• Use a semi-colon• Use a coordinating conjunction• Use an independent marker

word

Resources• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runo

ns.htm• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/0

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