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Date
Class
Lesson 4
Run-On Sentences and .Comma Splices
A run-on sentence is two (or more) sentences written together without
any punctuation between them. A comma splice is two sentences joined
by a comma:
Run-on sentences and comma splices are unclear.
Run-on: ’
Sid had lunch an hour ago now he’s hungry again.
Comma splice: Sid had lunch an hour ago, now he’s hungry again.
The method used to correct a run-on sentence or a comma splice depends on
how closely the sentences are related.
1. Rewrite as two ’separate sentences if the sentences are not closely related.
Run-on:
Ms. Bottini should take a vacation she would probably
enjoy going to Mexico City.
Comma splice: Ms. Bottini should take a vacation, she would probably
enjoy going to Mexico City.
Corrected:
Ms. Bottini should take a vacation. She would probably
enjoy going to Mexico City.
!
2. Use a comma anda coordinate conjunction such as and, so, or, but, yet, or
)~r, deper~ding on the kind of relationship..
,
Run-on:
Jonathan tried to diet his will power was weak.
Comma splice:. Jonathan tried to diet, his will power was weak.
Corrected:.
Jonathan tried to diet, but his will power was weak.
3. When sentences are closely related, use a semicolon, with or without a
conjunctive adverb such as then, however, nevertheless, therefore, consequently,
furthermore, and now.
,
Run-on:
Jogging is popular it is healthful.
¯Comma splice: Jogging is popular, it is healthful.
Corrected:
Jogging is popular; it is healthful, or Jogging is popular;
~.
furthermore, it is healthful.
..
Exercise A
Write whether each item is a run-on, a comma splice, or a correct sentence on
the line provided.
Example: The bank was closed yesterday Was aiegal holiday.
Answer: run-on
1. Bob took a course in cake decorating and really enjoyed it.
2. She hadn’t seen her father in almost a year in that time he had changed
remarkably, f"v) (~
3. The sun broke through the morning mist, light began to filter down
through the leaves.
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4. The exhausted boxer fell for the fifth time in the next round the j,udges
stopped the fight,
Herb used to be my best friend now we hardly speak.
6o
7.
8.
9.
10.
A bicycle chain should be oiled, or it will squeak.
The figure skater made a mistake the judges didn’t notice.
The boys walked to Elm Street, it was a mile from the bus.stop.
Doug hasn’t re~rned yet, but he called a few minutes ago. ~0
..
In the lobby ~ met Mr. Adams, he was waiting for me by ~e ticket
window. CO ~)~, 0~
:.~
If an item is correct, write Co~ect. If it is a ran-on or a comma splice,
idenfi~ ~e ~stake and use %e best me~od to rewrite ~e sentence correctly
on ~e lines pro~&d..
5- ’
Example: Near ~e.cOrner stood ~e church, its golden dome gleame&
~swer: commasplice~Near ~e corner stood ~echurch; its,golden
¯,_ -.7
¯.
dome gleamed.
1. A good stereo system needs a good receiver, it also needs adequate ’
speakers.
.’: C
2. Jane ~ied hard, but s~e s011 couldn’t please ~er friend
3: The prisoner stood up the judge read the sentence.
4. The night was cloudless you could see the observatory on the
mountaintop ten miles away..
5. At one end of the quadrangle stood ~e church, its golden dome gleamed
in ~e s~.
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Lesson 5
Sentence Fragments
-
Sentence fragments are, incomplete sentences.
¯
A sentence fragment is a group of words incorrectly punctuated as if it were
complete sentence.
.
Recognizing and Correcting Sentence Fragments
The rescue ;quad returned to the camp. After a fruitless search.
Read just the first group of words in the example aloud and .ask yourself
the following sentence-sense questions. Do the same with the second group.
o Does the word group have a complete subject and verb?
¯ Does the word group make sense by itself?.
The first group is a sentence. It has .a subject (squad) and verb (returned), .
and.it makes sense by itself. The second group is a sentence fragment, a
prepositional phrase. It does not make sense by itself.
A sentence fragment often follows the sentence it belongs with. To correct
a fragment, join it to the complete sentence.
The rescue squad returned to the camp after a fruitlhss, search.
¯
Common Sentence Fragments
5en’eenee and Fragment
Corrected Sentence
Mr. Capek dreamed. About the
Polish village of his birth.
Mr. Capek dreamed about the
Polish viii’age of his birth.
Di~ers found Spanish treasure.
Buried off the Florida coast.
Divers found Spanish treasure
buried off the Florida coast.
Whenever the bookstore has a
sale. Business at the shopping
center increases.
Whenever the bookstore has a
sale, business at the shopping
center increases.
Exercise. A
Read the word groups below. Write F for a ffagrnen~ and S for a sentence on
the blank after each word group.
Example: Thomas.Alva Edison, a great American inventor.
Answer: F
(1) Although many people thinkThomas Alva Edison invented the motion
pi~cture, it was developed by several people. ~ (2) Edison was only
mildly interested in motion pictures.
(3) Seeing them as a visual.
supplement to,phonograph music. ~
(4) George Eastmap developed .
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Name
celluloid roll film and used it for motion-picture photography in Edison’s
’-~ ’ (5) The kinetograph was invented by one of Edison’s
laboratory.
assistants.
" (6) An Englishman named William Dickson. ~
(8) A coin-operated
(7) Dickson also, invented the kinetoscope.
(9) Edison developed the Vitascope motionpeep-show viewer. ~
~ (10) Based largely onthe work of another
picture projector.
American inventor, Thomas Armat. ~
Exercise
Each item contains two word groups, either, two complete sentences or a
complete sentence and a fragment. If an item has two complete sentences,
write Correct. If an item has one sentence and "one fragment, rewrite it
correctly on the lines provided.
Example: A jogger was chosen by the Jumpy Company. To assist in
creating a new running shoe. ’
Answer: A jogger was chosen by the Jumpy Company to assist in
cteatirig a new running shoe.
1. The Smoky Mountains are a beautiful sight. In early spring.
2. The school’s writing contest Was especially exciting this year. Among the
winners were five of my be, st friends.
.,
3. Tomatoes will cost more this year. Because of the heavy frost.
4.= Playing tennis is a good way of keeping fit. Running after bad serves and
line shots makes the sport strenuous.
.,
5. The boys were unable to make the official understand what they wanted.
Since neither of them Could speak Arabic.
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