PRACTICE JAM
TOPIC: Run-on sentences
APPLICABLE COURSES: All courses that require writing
LEARNING OUTCOME(S): (What will students be able to do by the end of the workshop?)
Students will be able to identify the components of an independent clause.
Students will be able to correct run-on errors between independent clauses using
subordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, and coordinating conjunctions.
CONTENT: (What do students need to know to accomplish the outcome?)
Components of an independent clause: Subject, verb, and complete thought.
Definition of a run-on sentence.
Methods (besides the period and semicolon) for correcting run-on sentences:
o Logical use of transition word (conjunctive adverbs) with semi-colon
o Logical use of coordinating conjunctions and comma
o Logical use of subordinating conjunctions and comma as needed
METHOD: (How will the tutor deliver content?)
1. Tutor goes over “Avoiding Run-on Sentences” handout and the chart, “Three Ways to
Connect Ideas and Avoid Run-ons” with students. (10 min.)
2. Tutor projects the three sample run-on sentences and elicits repair strategies. Tutor may
display the choices of possible answers found on the pages titled “Sample Run-On Repair
Key.” (10 min.)
3. Tutor distributes “Run-On Repair Activity” sheet and Students break into small groups or
pairs to repair run-on sentences in a variety of ways. (See explanation below.) Tutor monitors
group work (see short answer key), watching for repairs suitable for sharing with everyone.
(20 min.)
4. Tutor distributes or projects long answer key for self-correction. Students ask questions
and/or provide logical repairs with explanation of their choices. (10 min.)
5. Students complete final reflection. (5 min.)
ACTIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES: (How will students apply their knowledge?)
Students collaborate to correct run-on sentences and join complete thoughts logically.
Each group/pair receives an activity sheet with ten to fifteen run-on sentences.
Students agree on at least two logical methods for combining each pair of thoughts into a
compound or complex sentence.
Students should complete at least 5 of the items, each in two different ways. Some groups
may complete as many as 15 of the items. This can be encouraged as time and student ability
allow.
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ASSESSMENT METHOD: (How will the instructor know that the students met the outcome? Check for understanding.)
Students may check their completed work against a prepared rubric of possible answers. Tutor
will check with each group for completion (and for accuracy as time allows) before providing
rubric. Alternatively, as time permits, the tutor may ask students to volunteer their solutions in a
whole-group recap of the repair strategies.
SELF-REFLECTION ACTIVITY: (What will the instructor do to get students to reflect on how they learned the
content? What they learned, how they learned it, how they will apply it in their coursework)
In a 5- to 6-sentence paragraph, students will answer the following questions:
What part of this lesson improved your ability to recognize independent clauses?
What helped you correct run-on sentences?
How do you plan to identify run-on sentences in your own written work?
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SAMPLE RUN-ON SENTENCES
I was in a car accident my life got complicated and expensive.
I have liability and collision insurance there was a large
contribution called “the deductible.”
The towing cost was reimbursed later that was money I didn't have
for weeks.
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SAMPLE RUN-ONS KEY
Run-on: I was in a car accident my life got complicated and expensive.
I was in a car accident, so my life got complicated and expensive.
Because I was in a car accident, my life got complicated and
expensive. [comma separator]
I was in a car accident; as a result, my life got complicated and
expensive.
I was in a car accident; consequently, my life got complicated and
expensive.
USE RESULT COLUMN (CAUSE-AND-EFFECT)
Run-on: I have liability and collision insurance there was a large contribution called “the
deductible.”
I have liability and collision insurance, but there was a large
contribution called “the deductible.”
Although I have liability and collision insurance, there was a large
contribution called “the deductible.” [comma separator]
Even though I have liability and collision insurance, there was a
large contribution called “the deductible.” [comma separator]
I have liability and collision insurance; however, there was a large
contribution called “the deductible.”
I have liability and collision insurance; nevertheless, there was a
large contribution called “the deductible.”
USE CONTRAST COLUMN (not Result Column)
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SAMPLE RUN-ONS KEY (CONTINUED)
Run-on: The towing cost was reimbursed later that was money I didn't have for weeks.
The towing cost was reimbursed later, but that was money I didn't
have for weeks.
Although the towing cost was reimbursed later, that was money I
didn't have for weeks. [comma separator]
Even though the towing cost was reimbursed later, that was money
I didn't have for weeks. [comma separator]
CONTRAST COLUMN—IF EMPHASIS IS ON REIMBURSED
The towing cost was reimbursed later, so that was money I didn't
have for weeks.
Because the towing cost was reimbursed later, that was money I
didn't have for weeks. [comma separator]
RESULT COLUMN—IF EMPHASIS IS ON LATER
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Avoiding Run-On Sentences
Independent Clauses: A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.
Subject—noun (person, place, thing, or idea) or pronoun (takes the place of a noun)
Verb—action performed by subject (action verb) or the state of being of the subject (verb of
being)
An independent clause has a subject, a verb and expresses a complete thought. When there is only
one independent clause, this is known as a simple sentence. Note these two simple sentences.
A bolt of lightning struck the transformer. Two workers were seriously injured.
(subject) (verb) (subject) (verb) (verb)
Run-on Sentences: Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses are not separated
from one another and so “run” together. Run-ons can also occur when clauses are separated by only
a comma. This is called a comma splice. A comma by itself is not strong enough punctuation to
end a sentence or separate two independent clauses!
Note the following run-on sentences.
Run-on: A bolt of lightning struck the transformer two workers were seriously injured.
Comma Splice: A bolt of lightning struck the transformer, two workers were seriously injured.
Run-on sentences can be corrected in five ways. In each option, the independent clauses are
distinctly separated from one another.
Methods to Correct Run-on Sentences
Period at the end of the first clause. Start the new sentence with a capital letter.
A bolt of lightning struck the transformer. Two workers were seriously injured.
Semicolon is used between two closely related independent clauses.
A bolt of lightning struck the transformer; two workers were seriously injured.
Semi-colon with transition (End the first clause with a semi-colon and follow with a transition
such as however, on the other hand, in addition, furthermore, likewise, therefore, for example, in
fact)
A bolt of lightning struck the transformer; unfortunately, two workers were seriously
injured.
Comma with coordinating conjunction (Clauses can be combined with a comma as long as the
comma is followed by a coordinating conjunction: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
A bolt of lightning struck the transformer, and two workers were seriously injured.
Subordinating Conjunction (One independent clause can be transformed into a dependent
clause by adding a subordinating conjunction in front of it. These conjunctions include when, if,
since, because, although, as, while. Note that one clause will now be dependent on the other. That
is, it will not be able to stand alone because it is not a complete thought.)
Because a bolt of lightning struck the transformer, two workers were seriously injured.
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Three Ways to Connect Ideas and Avoid Run-on Sentences
Combination/ Contrast Result Alternatives/
Addition Possibilities
Coordinating
Conjunctions , and , but , so , or
(Use with a , nor , yet , for
comma)
Subordinating
Conjunctions After Although Because If
(Dependent Words) As Even though Since Even if
(Use comma
between clauses if Before While As Unless
subordinating When Until
conjunction starts the While
sentence)
Transition ; furthermore, ; however, ; as a result, ; on the other hand
Words ; in addition, ; instead, ; consequently, ; otherwise
(Use with a ; moreover, ; nevertheless, ; therefore,
semi-colon) ; also, ; on the other hand,
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Revising Run-ons Exercise
Use the “Strategies for Correcting Run-ons” chart to complete the following activity. Correct each
pair of run-ons using two different strategies. Make each correction in the space provided. Be sure to
vary your strategies and use all three strategies throughout the exercise.
1. Josie bought her Honda Civic in 1988 it still runs well.
Josie bought her Honda Civic in 1988 it still runs well.
2. It has four doors the trunk is quite roomy.
It has four doors the trunk is quite roomy.
3. It is a “no frills” car there isn’t even power steering.
It is a “no frills” car there isn’t even power steering.
4. She takes good care of her car it might last 200,000 miles.
She takes good care of her car it might last 200,000 miles.
5. Her brother named it “Rusty” she calls it “Paid For.”
Her brother named it “Rusty” she calls it “Paid For.”
6. Her 1988 model cost $11,000 new it has been paid off for a long time.
Her 1988 model cost $11,000 new it has been paid off for a long time.
7. The car registration taxes are about $60 her insurance costs only a few hundred
a year.
The car registration taxes are about $60 her insurance costs only a few hundred
a year.
8. She has the oil changed regularly and the engine tuned up annually her car
might need something expensive replaced, like brake pads.
She has the oil changed regularly and the engine tuned up annually her car
might need something expensive replaced, like brake pads.
9. The heater in Josie’s car works well the AC stopped working years ago.
The heater in Josie’s car works well the AC stopped working years ago.
10. She finds a shady parking space to keep it cool it gets too hot inside.
She finds a shady parking space to keep it cool it gets too hot inside.
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Extra Practice Questions
11.
The paint job on Josie’s car is rusty it has dents.
The paint job on Josie’s car is rusty it has dents.
12.
She doesn’t worry about getting more “door dings” on her car people with newer cars don’t park
close to it.
She doesn’t worry about getting more “door dings” on her car people with newer cars don’t park
close to it.
13.
It accelerates quickly her old car does not ride as smoothly as new cars do.
It accelerates quickly her old car does not ride as smoothly as new cars do.
14.
She worries driving on the highway her car is too old to have airbags.
She worries driving on the highway her car is too old to have airbags.
15.
Josie adds several errands to her short commute home she still doesn’t use much gas.
Josie adds several errands to her short commute home she still doesn’t use much gas.
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SHORT ANSWER KEY for Run-On Repair
(See longer key containing possible answers.)
Note: Addition words (and, furthermore, in addition, moreover, also) are feasible solutions for many of the sentences, but
an addition solution isn’t the best one when a contrast or cause-and-effect relationship exists between the clauses.
1. Josie bought her Honda Civic in 1988 it still runs well.
The best solutions use some of the contrast words.
2. It has four doors the trunk is quite roomy.
The best solutions use some of the addition words.
3. It is a “no frills” car there isn’t even power steering.
The best solutions use a semicolon alone or some of the result words.
4. She takes good care of her car it might last 200,000 miles.
The best solutions use some of the result words or the possibility word If.
5. Her brother named it “Rusty” she calls it “Paid For.”
The best solutions use a semicolon alone or a logical contrast word.
6. Her 1988 model cost $11,000 new with a 3-year loan it has been paid off for a long time.
The best solutions use result words (including As) or the possibility word If.
7. The car registration taxes are about $60 her insurance costs only a few hundred a year.
The best solutions use addition words.
8. She regularly has the oil changed and the engine tuned up annually her car might need something expensive replaced,
like brake pads.
The best solution uses a logical addition word or a logical contrast word (including while), a choice between emphasis
on the maintenance itself or on contrasting two types of maintenance expense. Alternative: semicolon between clauses.
9. The heater in Josie’s car works well the AC stopped working years ago.
The best solutions use some of the contrast words. A semicolon alone works because the verbs are related.
10. She finds shady parking to keep it cool it gets too hot inside.
The best solutions are to begin with unless or to use otherwise in between the clauses. A logical result word (for,
because, since) in between the clauses is acceptable.
11. The paint job on Josie’s car is rusty it has dents.
The best solutions use some of the addition words.
12. She doesn’t worry about getting more “door dings” on her car people with newer cars don’t park close to it.
The best solutions use a semicolon alone or some of the result words.
13. It accelerates quickly her old car does not ride as smoothly as new cars do.
The best solutions use some of the contrast words (including while).
14. She worries driving on the highway her car is too old to have airbags.
The best solutions use some of the result words or a semicolon alone.
15. Josie adds several errands to her short commute home she still doesn’t use much gas.
The best solutions begin with some of the possibility words (if, even if), or use contrast words, or begin with while or
when.
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Final Self-Reflection
In a 5-6 sentence paragraph answer the following questions:
What part of this lesson improved your ability to recognize independent clauses?
What helped you correct run-on sentences?
How do you plan to identify run-on sentences in your own written work?
www.canyons.edu/skills4success 5/6/11