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ROSA FORT HIGH AFJROTC
GRAMMAR PROGRAMMED TEXT
Lesson 4:
Complete/Run-on Sentences
INTRODUCTION
You can maximize your learning from this programmed text by following a few simple steps.
First, take a quick scan over the layout of the document. You’ll notice that this lesson is divided
into individual sections starting with a Reading Assignment, followed by a few Review
Questions, and concluded with Answers to Review Questions in the back. Once you are
familiar with the layout, complete the reading assignment and then answer the corresponding
questions (using pen or pencil) to the best of your ability (choose the correct response, complete
the sentence, fill in the blank, etc.). Check your work after answering all the questions. If you
find that you’ve made a mistake, make the appropriate correction and try to determine the reason
for your error before continuing with the lesson. If you do not understand the basis for the
correct response to a particular question, consult your flight instructor during normal duty hours.
Once complete, turn in this programmed text to your flight instructor to certify completion.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Complete/Run-on Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that contains at least one subject and at least one verb and that
always expresses a complete thought. A logical relationship exists between the subject and verb.
A complete sentence is also referred to as a main (or independent) clause. Each of the offerings
below constitutes a complete sentence. Each has an identifiable subject and a verb in agreement.
Each one flows smoothly, can stand alone, and makes sense when read.




Fire the cannon!
The ball is rolling.
Hank screams.
Do moths fly?
Of course, there are exceptions, such as in the case where a single word (such as “Wait!”)
constitutes a complete sentence (where the subject you is implied).
When two sentences, or independent clauses, are run together with no punctuation or connecting word
between them, they are said to be fused. Fused sentences are commonly referred to as run-on sentences.
Fused sentences are difficult to read and are never acceptable in standard written English.
It’s important to understand that sentence length has absolutely nothing to do with whether a sentence is
a run-on or not. Being a run-on is a structural flaw that can adversely impact even a short sentence.
According to Evelyn Farbman, author of Sentence Sense: A Writer’s Guide (Houghton-Mifflin, 1989)
run-on sentences happen typically under the following circumstances:
1. An independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent
clause. Consider the following example:

Incorrect: The second set of calisthenics comprises many strenuous movements, you should
take a few extra minutes for warm-ups.
There are two methods of repairing the sentence above. We can either place a period where the
comma is and start a new sentence, or replace the comma with a semicolon.


Correct: The second set of calisthenics comprises many strenuous movements. You should take
a few extra minutes for warm-ups.
Correct: The second set of calisthenics comprises many strenuous movements; you should take
a few extra minutes for warm-ups.
2. Two independent clauses are connected by a transitional expression (conjunctive adverb) such as
however, moreover, or nevertheless. Look at the example below:

Incorrect: Sergeant O’Malley has taken his five children on a camping trip, however, he has
been forced to sacrifice his membership in the post bowling league.
This sentence may be repaired in the same manner as the sentence in the first example.


Correct: Sergeant O’Malley has taken his five children on a camping trip. However, he has
been forced to sacrifice his membership in the post bowling league.
Correct Sergeant O’Malley has taken his five children on a camping trip; however, he has been
forced to sacrifice his membership in the post bowling league.
3. The second of two independent clauses contains a pronoun that connects it to the first independent
clause. Refer to the example below:

Incorrect: This board game is impossible to play, it doesn’t have a set of instructions.
Although the two clauses are brief, and their ideas are related, they constitute a run-on sentence. The
run-on can be repaired by replacing the comma with a period and creating two sentences. Another
method would be to join them with a subordinating conjunction.


Correct: This board game is impossible to play. It doesn’t have a set of instructions.
Correct: Because it doesn’t have a set of instructions, this board game is impossible to play.
This concludes the reading assignment portion of the PT on complete/run-on sentences. Now
that you’ve had an opportunity to review this material on proper sentence structure, it’s time for
you to take it to the next level! The following series of questions will reveal whether you have
achieved the desired level of expertise with complete/run-on sentences or if you need further
study in this area. As explained in the introduction, the correct answer and rationale for each
question is located at the back for your ready reference. Consult the answer bank only after you
have completed all questions. If you miss a question, read the provided rationale and go back
over the corresponding section of the reading assignment if necessary. Do your best to
thoroughly understand this material. If anything is not clear to you, ask your instructor for
assistance. Good luck!
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Select the best method of sentence repair from the choices provided.
1. Jim is a very lucky person he never seems to get sick.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. person, he
c. person; he
2. The train station is closing shortly due to the storm and if the express doesn’t depart soon it will be
cancelled.
a.
b.
c.
d.
This sentence is correct.
storm, and
storm; and
storm. And
3. The movie begins at 8:00 make sure you arrive before 7:45.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. 8:00, make
c. 8:00. Make
4. Tina knew her way around Manhattan this is something she could always rely on.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. Manhattan; this
c. Manhattan, this
5. Having trained well for the Olympic trials and having taxed the patience of everyone in the
neighborhood with his requests that someone help him with the stop-and-start drills, Albert, who
had never been a good athlete in school, felt he was ready to accept this major challenge.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. drills; Albert
c. drills. Albert
6. Throughout history money and religion were closely linked there was little distinction between
government and religion.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. linked because there was
c. linked, there was
7. The chief of state and the head priest were often the same person all power rested in one ruler.
a. This sentence is correct.
b. person, all
c. person; all
Repair the following sentences by rewriting them properly.
8.
The four siblings were overtired they threw their pillows at each other until sunrise.
9.
The spill in the hallway was overlooked, finally Pete decided to wipe it up with a mop.
10. Meanwhile, the full moon was rising, it slowly lit up the open meadow.
11. Pickles and onions taste great on a hamburger, just try them.
12. You’d better get your car repaired you’ll end up walking to work.
13. Save the old firewood for mulch it is rotting.
14. It’s late and I’m tired do your own homework.
15. Wildflowers are my favorite they remind me of fresh air and sunshine.
ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.
c. The two independent clauses should be connected via the use of a semicolon.
2.
b. When related independent clauses are connected by a conjunction (and, but, or, etc.), a
comma must be used.
3.
c. The second sentence is a directive based on what was said in the first sentence. Although
the clauses are closely related, they still must be treated as independent clauses. We
could also repair the run-on by connecting the clauses with a comma and the conjunction
so.
4.
b. These clauses are clearly related. The pronoun this connects the clauses in meaning.
However, they are both independent clauses and must be separated with a semicolon.
5.
a. This sentence is correct. Sentence length has nothing to do with whether or not it’s a runon sentence.
6.
b. The second clause needs to be subordinated by using the conjunction because. If the
comma alone were used, it would result in a comma splice, and thus be an incomplete
sentence.
7.
c. The semicolon neatly connects two related ideas.
8.
The four siblings were tired. They threw their pillows at each other until sunrise. (The
independent clauses were separated into two distinct sentences.)
9.
The spill in the hallway was overlooked. Finally Pete decided to wipe it up with a mop.
(The independent clauses were separated into two distinct sentences.)
10. Meanwhile, the full moon was rising. It slowly lit up the open meadow. (The independent
clauses were separated into two distinct sentences.)
11. Pickles and onions taste great on a hamburger. Just try them! (The independent clauses
were separated into two distinct sentences.)
12. You’d better get your car repaired, or you’ll end up walking to work. (The independent
clauses are connected with the conjunction or and a properly placed comma.)
13. Since it is rotting, save the old firewood for mulch. (The independent clauses are connected
via the conjunction since.) Another method of repairing this run-on sentence involves
reducing the second clause to a verbal expression and using it as an adjective with the noun
wood. In this instance, the sentence would be written as follows: Save the old, rotting
firewood for mulch.
14. It’s late and I’m tired, so do your own homework. (The independent clauses are connected
with the conjunction so and a properly placed comma.)
15. Wildflowers are my favorite. They remind me of fresh air and sunshine. (The independent
clauses were separated into two distinct sentences.) Another method of repairing this run-on
sentence involves connecting the two clauses with the subordinating conjunction because.
In this instance, the sentence would be written as follows: Because they remind me of fresh
air and sunshine, wildflowers are my favorite.