Lesson on Run-On Sentences

Run-on Sentence

What is a Run-On Sentence?

A run-on sentence is one where two independent clauses have been put together without correct punctuation.

Here is an example:

• The birds flew east the deer ran south

That sentence was made up of two independent clauses:

The birds flew east. + The deer ran south.

So we need to add a punctuation or/and a conjunction (or words that connects the clauses).

We can place a comma after the first clause and use a conjunction

Example: The birds flew east, and the deer ran south.

We can use a full stop to separate both clauses.

Example: The birds flew east. The deer ran south.

We can use a semi-colon to join both independent clause together.

Example: The birds flew east; the deer ran south.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following choices doesn't make sense when combining the two clauses?

• The birds flew east, and the deer ran south.

• The birds flew east; however, the deer ran south.

• The birds flew east, but the deer ran south.

• The birds flew east, nor the deer ran south.

Let us practice!

Choose the correct answers to the following questions!

Multiple Choice

Q. Bob played the guitar Suzy played the piano.

Which choice below uses the correct punctuation and conjunction to fix the run-on sentence?

• Bob played the guitar, and Suzy played the piano.

• Bob played the guitar. and Suzy played the piano.

• Bob played the guitar and Suzy, played the piano

• Correct as is

Multiple Choice

Q. Many people came to the show no one seemed to like it.

Which choice below uses the correct punctuation and conjunction to fix the run-on sentence?

• Many people came no one seemed to like it

• Many people came to the show, but no one seemed to like it.

• Many people came to the show, also no one seemed to like it

• Correct as is.

Multiple Choice

Q. Fix this sentence:

My father is tall my mother is short.

Which choice below uses the correct punctuation and conjunction to fix the run-on sentence?

• My father is tall so my mother is short.

• My father is tall, and my mother is short.

• My father is tall, or my mother is short.

• My father is tall, my mother is short.

Multiple Choice

Q. Fix this sentence:

We worked hard in class we have no homework.

Which choice below uses the correct punctuation and conjunction to fix the run-on sentence?

• We worked hard in class; hence, we have no homework.

• We worked hard in class, we have no homework.

• Correct as is.

• We worked hard in class. nor we have no homework.

Multiple Choice

Q. Fix this sentence:

I play softball my sister plays volleyball.

Which choice below uses the correct punctuation and conjunction to fix the run-on sentence?

• I play softball. my sister plays volleyball.

• I play softball, my sister plays volleyball.

• I play softball, but my sister plays volleyball.

• I play softball, or my sister plays volleyball.

Multiple Choice

Q. Which is a run-on sentence?

• Jackson amused the class he put breath mints up his nose.

• Jackson amused the class when he put breath mints up his nose.

• My neighbor, Jackson, enjoys being the class clown and making people laugh.

• Jackson might be the funniest student in Mrs. Felte's class because of his jokes.

Multiple Choice

Q. Which is a run-on sentence?

• During the middle of the summer, Mia rides a camel through the Sahara Desert, located in Africa, looking for a mirage as she longs for water, which, of course, is essential for life.

• Even though Ben despises clowns, he decided to purchase a Puddles the Clown album because he needs to overcome his fears.

• Whenever Evelyn picks up an electric guitar, metal music courses through her blood therefore she turns up the amplifier so that she can blow rattle the foundation of her house.

• After the producers of the television show "Survivor" selected Kyleigh as a contestant, she lifted weights every day, consumed red meat for every meal, and put on thirty pounds of muscle to bolster her chances to win..

Multiple Choice

Movies entertain millions of people every day going to the movies is popular all over the world.

• Complete

• Run on

Multiple Choice

Pam painted a picture of the Eiffel tower, and her art teacher gave her an A.

• Complete

• Run on

Multiple Choice

The director makes many decisions, the actors make the characters come to life.

• Correct

• Run on