Do First: Correcting Run-On Sentences
Student Name: __________________________________Date: _____ Period: ____
Directions: Read the directions in the box below.
A run-on sentence is a sentence that has too many clauses or a sentence that does not have sufficient punctuation to hold
together all of the clauses.
To fix the run on sentence, you may . . .
1) divide the clauses into separate sentences
INCORRECT: Juan read the book his friend saw the movie.
CORRECT: Juan read the book. His friend saw the movie.
2) add punctuation
INCORRECT: They weren't dangerous criminals they were detectives in disguise.
CORRECT: They weren’t dangerous criminals; they were detectives in disguise.
3) add an appropriate conjunction
INCORRECT: I didn’t know which job I wanted, I was too confused to decide.
CORRECT: I didn’t know what job I wanted, and I was to confused to decide.
Directions: Edit to correct the run on sentences below.
1. The sun is 93 million miles away it can still burn a person's skin badly.
2. Hunched over the keyboard for hours, Joseph used two fingers to hunt and peck out the 2,000-word research paper when
lightning caused his computer to crash, Joseph wept more tears than the thunderclouds spilled rain.
3. Because his glasses were so thick, Rogelio refused to get contacts, he worried that equally thick contact lenses would make
him look like a bug-eyed space alien.
4. Joshua likes to put peanut butter on his pancakes instead of syrup, the smell is appealing, but I wouldn't want to eat anything
so sticky that early in the morning.
5. Many people believe in the curative powers of this water they have felt relief after bathing in it.
Directions: Answer the three MC questions below.
1. Identify which item contains a run-on sentence.
a. I am going home, and I intend to stay there.
b. I like to read books and watch movies.
c. Buy these things: a packet of hot Cheetos, two Red Bulls, and some carnitas tacos.
d. I didn’t know which job I wanted, I was too confused to decide.
e. Juan read the book, but his friend saw the movie.
2. Select the best correction for the following sentence.
Jackie has already gone to the airport she will meet us at the check-in counter.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
gone to the airport she will meet us at the check-in counter.
gone to the airport, she will meet us at the check-in counter.
gone; she will meet us at the check-in counter at the airport.
gone to the airport and Jackie will meet us at the check-in counter.
gone to the airport; she will meet us at the check-in counter.
3. Identify the sentence below in which a semicolon should replace the underlined punctuation.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Look what she bought: a purse, three pairs of shoes, and new pants!
I will never stop loving Chinese food, nor will I stop eating it.
It’s your turn, draw a card.
He charged up the aisle, dismissing their haughty laughter with a sneer.
The art patron, who would be stingy before an auction, arranged her own transportation, lodging, and financing.