Run-on sentences: Definition, examples, and revision techniques PDF

📚 Quick Study Guide: Run-on Sentences

• 📖 Definition: A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined incorrectly without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction.
• 🧐 Types of Run-ons:
  • 🚫 FUSED SENTENCE: Independent clauses are joined with *no* punctuation or conjunction (e.g., "I love to write I write every day.").
  • 🔗 COMMA SPLICE: Independent clauses are joined *only* by a comma (e.g., "I love to write, I write every day.").
• 🛠️ Revision Techniques:
  • ✂️ Separate into two sentences: Use a period to create two distinct sentences (e.g., "I love to write. I write every day.").
  • ➕ Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS): For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (e.g., "I love to write, and I write every day.").
  • ➡️ Use a semicolon (;): Connect closely related independent clauses (e.g., "I love to write; I write every day.").
  • 💡 Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb: (e.g., however, therefore, moreover, consequently) followed by a comma (e.g., "I love to write; therefore, I write every day.").
  • 🔄 Subordinate one clause: Use a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, since, while) to make one clause dependent (e.g., "Because I love to write, I write every day.").
• 🏆 Key Goal: Ensure each independent clause is properly separated or connected to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Conquer Run-on Sentences!

1. Which of the following best defines a run-on sentence?
   1. A sentence that is too long.
   2. A sentence with too many adjectives.
   3. Two or more independent clauses incorrectly joined.
   4. A sentence missing a subject.
2. Identify the run-on sentence:
   1. The dog barked loudly, but the cat remained asleep.
   2. She loves to read books she visits the library weekly.
   3. Although it was raining, we still went for a walk.
   4. He finished his homework quickly and then played video games.
3. Which revision technique correctly fixes the comma splice: "The sun was shining, the birds were singing"?
   1. The sun was shining the birds were singing.
   2. The sun was shining; the birds were singing.
   3. The sun was shining because the birds were singing.
   4. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.
4. "I went to the store I bought some milk." How can this fused sentence be corrected using a coordinating conjunction?
   1. I went to the store; I bought some milk.
   2. I went to the store, and I bought some milk.
   3. I went to the store. I bought some milk.
   4. Going to the store, I bought some milk.
5. What is a "comma splice"?
   1. A comma used to separate items in a list.
   2. Two independent clauses joined only by a comma.
   3. A comma used before a coordinating conjunction.
   4. A comma incorrectly placed after a subject.
6. Which sentence is NOT a run-on?
   1. The movie was long it was also boring.
   2. She studied hard, therefore she passed the exam.
   3. He ran quickly, but he still missed the bus.
   4. We decided to stay home it was raining outside.
7. How can you correct the run-on sentence "The bell rang everyone rushed out of class" by subordinating one clause?
   1. The bell rang, and everyone rushed out of class.
   2. The bell rang; everyone rushed out of class.
   3. When the bell rang, everyone rushed out of class.
   4. The bell rang. Everyone rushed out of class.