Avoiding Run-on Sentences

​How to write in complete sentences:
Avoiding comma splices

By

What is a COMMA SPLICE?

A COMMA SPLICE is 2 sentences that should be separate, but they are joined with a comma instead.

Is this one sentence or two? How do you know?

​Reading and comprehending longer books and chapters takes practice, teens aren't getting that practice.

​These two sentences are joined by what 2 things?

​There is more than one way
to fix these comma splices...

​this example uses a COMMA + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)




This example uses a semicolon ; followed by a lowercase letter.

Open Ended

Imitate one of these 2 sentences:

Reading and comprehending longer books and chapters takes practice, and teens aren’t getting that practice.

OR

Reading and comprehending longer books and chapters takes practice; teens aren't getting that practice.

Your sentences can be about any school-appropriate topic you choose

or

if you need an idea of a topic, your sentences can be about dogs.

Multiple Choice

What has changed and what is the effect?

Original sentence:

Reading and comprehending longer books and chapters takes practice. Teens aren’t getting that practice.

New sentence:

Reading and comprehending longer books and chapters takes practice; teens aren’t getting that practice.

• The period has been changed to a semicolon, and the writing sounds more childish

• The period has been changed to a semicolon, and the writing sounds more mature.

• The semicolon has been changed to a colon, and the writing sounds more mature.

Multiple Choice

Identify where and what punctuation is needed in this. Explain to a partner.

He was a warm-whiskered man the hair on his face did not protect the high cheek-bones and his nose that poked itself into the frosty air.

• He was a warm-whiskered man; the hair on his face did not protect the high cheek-bones and his nose that poked itself into the frosty air.

• He was a warm-whiskered man the hair on his face did not protect the high; cheek-bones and his nose that poked itself into the frosty air.

• He was a warm-whiskered man the hair on his face did not protect; the high cheek-bones and his nose that poked itself into the frosty air.

• He was a warm-whiskered man the hair on his face did not protect the high cheek-bones and his nose; that poked itself into the frosty air.

Multiple Select

What is a comma splice?

• A comma splice is a run-on sentence joined with only a comma.

• A comma splice is a run-on sentence joined without a comma.

• A comma splice is an incomplete sentence joined with only a comma.

• A comma splice is a clause joined with only a comma.

Multiple Select

Which sentence(s) is/are correct?

• Jake knew something was not right with the kite, for he remembered that he had not attached the tail.

• Jake knew something was not right with the kite, he remembered that he had not attached the tail.

Multiple Select

Which sentence is NOT correctly punctuated?

• Hugo Boss sells attractive men's sports clothes, so their products are upscale and somewhat expensive.

• Hugo Boss sells attractive men's sports clothes; their products are upscale and somewhat expensive.

• Hugo Boss sells attractive men's sports clothes, their products are upscale and somewhat expensive.

• Hugo Boss sells attractive men's sports clothes. Their products are upscale and somewhat expensive.

Multiple Choice

Baking bread requires time, patience, and practice, these ingredients cannot be bought or borrowed.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Kayaking, my favorite sport, can prove to be exciting and dangerous.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Mosquitoes are found in various climates, they thrive in Alaska as well as in the tropics.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Proper lighting is a necessity for good eyesight, but direct sunlight can damage eyesight

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

The collar on this shirt is small, this shirt will not fit a person with a large neck

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Jarod had an interview with a television company, I might get a job as his assistant.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's health.

• Comma Splice

• Correct

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• We decided to leave the restaurant; the food took too long.
• We decided to leave the restaurant, the food took too long.

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct or does it contain a comma splice?

One of the most interesting plants is the cactus, for it is able to live without water for years.

• Correct

• Comma splice

Multiple Choice

Which set of sentences avoids a run-on sentence?

• Can I go to the cabin in the woods, I don’t know where it is?

• Can I go to the cabin; in the woods I don’t know where it is?

• Can I go to the cabin in the woods? I don’t know where it is.

Multiple Choice

Which set of sentences avoids a run-on sentence?

• Football is a physical game, it’s so exciting to play!

• Soccer is a challenging sport, it requires much training, speed, and stamina.

• Volleyball is a fun game; it's great when someone spikes the ball.

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to fix this run-on sentence?

My brother and I always fight for the remote, we both like to have control of the T.V.

• My brother and I always fight for the remote? We both like to have control of the T.V.

• My brother and I always fight for the remote. We both like to have control of the T.V.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Blakely knew Seth made a bad decision, he told him so.
This sentence is an example of a:

• Fragment
• comma splice

• Complete sentence

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is written and punctuated correctly.

• One time on Halloween I saw a ghost and I don't know if it was real or not.

• One time on Halloween I saw a ghost, I don't know if it was real or not.

• One time on Halloween I saw a ghost. I don't know if it was real or not.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is written and punctuated correctly.

• I bought so much Halloween candy for Halloween; I am going to pass out candy out with my mom.

• I bought so much Halloween candy for Halloween, I am going to pass candy out with my mom.

• I bought so much Halloween candy for Halloween and I am going to pass candy out with my mom.

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that is written and punctuated correctly.

• Ghosts and monsters come out on Halloween but I am not scared.

• Ghosts and monsters come out on Halloween, but I am not scared.

• Ghosts and monsters come out on Halloween, I am not scared.

Multiple Choice

"This issue is important, we must act immediately." Which option below is NOT a correct way to fix this run-on sentence?

• This issue is important; therefore, we must act immediately.

• This issue is, important, we must act immediately.

• This issue is important. We must act immediately.

• This issue is important, and we must act immediately.

Multiple Select

"Andres loves hiking during the fall, he and his friends are going to climb Stone Mountain in October." Select ALL the sentences below that correctly fix this comma splice.

• Andres loves hiking during the fall. He and his friends are going to climb Stone Mountain in October.

• Andres loves hiking during the fall; he and his friends are going to climb Stone Mountain in October.

• Andres loves hiking during the fall, and he and his friends are going to climb Stone Mountain in October.

• Andres loves hiking during the fall, thus, he and his friends are going to climb Stone Mountain in October.

Multiple Select

"After lunch, Miriam is going home to do the dishes, she is also going to sweep the floor as well." Select ALL the sentences below that correctly fix this run-on sentence. Choose 2.

• Miriam is going home to do the dishes after lunch, she is also going to sweep the floor as well.

• After lunch, Miriam is going home to do the dishes she is also going to sweep the floor as well.

• After lunch, Miriam is going home to do the dishes. She is also going to sweep the floor as well.

• After lunch, Miriam is going home to do the dishes, and she is also going to sweep the floor as well.

Multiple Select

"The palm tree fell over during the hurricane, none of the neighbors can move it from the road." Select ALL the sentences below that correctly fix this run-on sentence. choose 3.

• The palm tree fell over during the hurricane, but none of the neighbors can move it from the road.

• The palm tree fell over during the hurricane; None of the neighbors can move it from the road.

• The palm tree fell over during the hurricane. None of the neighbors can move it from the road.

• The palm tree fell over during the hurricane; none of the neighbors can move it from the road.

Multiple Select

"Someone took my stapler off my desk, if you took it or know what happened to it,please let me know." Select ALL the sentences below that correctly fix this run-on sentence.

• Someone took my stapler; off my desk if you took it or know what happened to it, please let me know.

• Someone took my stapler off my desk, if you took it or know what happened to it, please let me know.

• Someone took my stapler off my desk. If you took it or know what happened to it, please let me know.

• Someone took my stapler off my desk if you took it or know what happened to it please let me know.

Multiple Select

"My teacher knows a lot about World War II, the students enjoy listening to him in class." Select ALL the sentences below that correctly fix this run-on sentence.

• My teacher knows a lot about World War II the students enjoy listening to him in class.

• My teacher knows a lot about World War II, and the students enjoy listening to him in class.

• My teacher knows a lot about World War II; the students enjoy listening to him in class.

• My teacher knows a lot about World War II. The students enjoy listening to him, in class.