📚 Quick Study Guide: Run-on Sentences
- 🧐 A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined incorrectly.
- ❌ There are two main types: fused sentences (no punctuation or conjunction between clauses) and comma splices (only a comma joins two independent clauses).
- 💡 How to fix run-on sentences:
- 🛑 Use a period: Separate the clauses into two distinct sentences.
- 🔗 Use a semicolon: Join two closely related independent clauses (e.g., *I love to read; my brother prefers video games.*).
- 🤝 Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction: (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). Make sure the comma comes *before* the conjunction (e.g., *She studied hard, so she passed the test.*).
- 🛠️ Use a subordinating conjunction: Turn one clause into a dependent clause (e.g., *Because it was raining, we stayed inside.*).
- 🎯 Key takeaway: Each independent clause needs proper separation or connection!
🧠 Practice Quiz: Run-on Sentences for 8th Grade
1. Which of the following is a run-on sentence?
A) The dog barked loudly, and it chased the squirrel up the tree.
B) Sarah loves to read she visits the library every week.
C) Although it was cold, we still went for a walk.
D) He finished his homework; then he played video games.
2. How can you correctly fix the following run-on sentence?
'The bell rang everyone rushed out of the classroom.'
A) The bell rang, everyone rushed out of the classroom.
B) The bell rang; everyone rushed out of the classroom.
C) The bell rang everyone rushed, out of the classroom.
D) The bell, rang everyone rushed out of the classroom.
3. Identify the comma splice:
A) My favorite color is blue, I also like green.
B) She went to the store, but she forgot her wallet.
C) He plays soccer, and he runs track.
D) Because it was late, we decided to go home.
4. Which sentence is NOT a run-on?
A) The sun was shining brightly, the birds were singing.
B) I studied for hours I still felt unprepared.
C) After the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared in the sky.
D) My phone battery died I couldn't call anyone.
5. Choose the best way to combine these two independent clauses:
'The movie was long. It was very entertaining.'
A) The movie was long it was very entertaining.
B) The movie was long, it was very entertaining.
C) The movie was long, but it was very entertaining.
D) The movie was long; but it was very entertaining.
6. Which of these sentences contains a fused sentence?
A) He is a great singer he performed at the school concert.
B) She loves to dance, and she practices every day.
C) We went to the park, then we had a picnic.
D) Although it snowed, the roads were clear.
7. Read the sentence:
'The cat purred loudly it rubbed against my leg.'
How can this run-on sentence be corrected using a semicolon?
A) The cat purred loudly; it rubbed against my leg.
B) The cat purred loudly, it rubbed against my leg.
C) The cat purred loudly, and it rubbed against my leg.
D) The cat purred loudly. It rubbed against my leg.
Click to see Answers
1. B) Sarah loves to read she visits the library every week. (Fused sentence)
2. B) The bell rang; everyone rushed out of the classroom. (Correctly uses a semicolon)
3. A) My favorite color is blue, I also like green. (Two independent clauses joined only by a comma)
4. C) After the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared in the sky. (Contains a dependent clause and an independent clause, correctly punctuated)
5. C) The movie was long, but it was very entertaining. (Uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction)
6. A) He is a great singer he performed at the school concert. (Two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction)
7. A) The cat purred loudly; it rubbed against my leg. (Correctly uses a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses)