Steadman

ADV COREELI

Review

There are five ways to correct a run-on sentence.

  1. Use two separate sentences.
    My sister Julie loves to write. She has had several short stories published.
  2. Use a coordinating conjuction and a comma. These are the most common coordinating conjunctions : and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet.
    My sister Julie loves to write, and she has had several short stories published.
  3. Use a subordinating conjunction. These are the most common subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, whereas, while.
    My sister Julie loves to write because she has had several short stories published.
  4. Use a semicolon.
    My sister Julie loves to write; she has had several short stories published.
  5. Use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb with a comma. These are the most common conjunctive adverbs: consequently, furthermore, however, in fact, indeed, moreover, nevertheless, then, therefore.
    My sister Julie loves to write; in fact, she has had several short stories published.

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NOTE: Be very careful not to use a comma alone to correct a run-on sentence. Doing this will result in what is known as a comma splice.
My sister Julie loves to write, she has had several stories published.

NOTE: When using a comma to correct a run-on, be sure to use a coordinating conjunction along with it.

Most of the following sentences are run-on sentences. Punctuate the sentences which are incorrect.

  1. My father retired from the Air Force last year he is writing a book about his experiences.
  1. Jeff mowed the grass this morning, andtonight he will water the flowers and bushes.

IC DC

  1. E:The small girl seemed to be lostbecauseC:she was crying and looking for her mother.

The small girl seemed to be lost; she was crying and looking for her mother.

C: She was crying and looking for her mother; therefore, E:the small girl seemed to be lost.

  1. Mrs. Dawson inherited a large sum of money from her brother, so she can buy a new car now. #3

Mrs. Dawson inherited a large sum of money from her brother; she can buy a new car now. #2

Because Mrs. Dawson inherited a large sum of money from her brother, she can buy a new car now. #6

  1. C:Kathy and Jerry worked very hard on their project; therefore,E:they felt they deserved a high grade. #4

Because Kathy and Jerry worked very hard on their project, E: they felt they deserved a high grade. #6

Kathy and Jerry worked very hard on their project. Therefore, E:they felt they deserved a high grade. #7

  1. CORRECT:I can never beat my little brother at video games;he has them all mastered. #2

I can never beat my little brother at video gamesbecause he has them all mastered. #5

  1. Dave is flying to Orlando for spring break; therefore,he will be gone a week. #4

Dave is flying to Orlando for spring break, so he will be gone a week #3

When Dave flies to Orlando for spring break,he will be gone a week #6

  1. We are moving to Cincinnati in July,andI'll go to college there.#3 OK

We are moving to Cincinnati in Julybecause I'll go to college there. #5

When we move to Cincinnati in July, I'll go to college there. #6

  1. CORRECT:The storm passed quickly through the area last night, and it caused a lot of damage.
  2. We will be on vacation next week,so we will be unable to attend your party. #3

C:Since we will be on vacation next week, E:we will be unable to attend your party #6

  1. We bought shoes, luggage, hats, and swimsuits at the mall.Fortunately, we have a large trunk in our car. #7
  2. I didn't think it would be necessary to take my umbrella; after all, the sun was shining when I left home.
  1. Most of my study time is spent on biology it's my toughest class.
  1. My car ran out of gas therefore I was late for my appointment.
  1. A fifth-grade student from our school won the spelling competition; she spelled words I had never heard before.
  2. My younger brother collects aluminum cans to recycle and is saving the money for a new computer.
  1. Jerry's dad is a pilot for a large airline sometimes he is gone for several days at a time.
  1. My high school reunion is in three months I wonder if everyone will be there.
  2. I've missed several classes because I was ill I hope I will pass the course.
  3. Jeff is planning on going to Las Vegas for vacation; he'll need to take a lot of money.