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THE SKILL
Several complete thoughts within one sentence must be separated in some way. You have three options (only
pick one, please):
 Divide the run-on into two (or more) complete sentences. Put a period between the two (or
more) complete thoughts. Super simple.
 Insert a comma + a conjunction (never a comma alone) between the two complete thoughts.
 Insert a semicolon between the two complete thoughts (review semicolons on page 54).
WHAT THESE QUESTIONS LOOK LIKE
Wonderstruck is a fragrance by singer (1) Taylor
Swift it capitalizes on her vast fanbase amongst
teenage girls.
1. Which of the following choices would NOT
correct the underlined portion?
A. Taylor Swift; it capitalizes
B. Taylor Swift. It capitalizes
C. Taylor Swift, and it capitalizes
D. Taylor Swift, it capitalizes
A, B, and C are all options for correcting the run-on sentence. D is not acceptable (and thus our answer) because
a comma alone cannot be used to join two complete thoughts.
STRATEGIES TO WIN
Remember your three options for correcting a run-on sentence:
 Period
 Semicolon
 Comma + conjunction
Check your work: Only use one of the options above if everything before the period/semicolon/comma +
conjunction is a complete thought, AND if everything after the period/semicolon/comma + conjunction is a
complete thought.
Watch Out! Many students (and adults) incorrectly try to combine two complete thoughts by joining them
with a comma. This is incorrect! Only use a comma between two complete thoughts if you combine it with a
conjunction (and remember, the comma is placed before the conjunction).
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
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© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
RUN-ON SENTENCES PRACTICE
Fearless
Country cross-over artist Taylor Swift combines
1.
girl-next-door charm (1) with country roots and catchy
tunes. After moving with her family to Nashville at age
fourteen, Swift became the youngest songwriter hired by
Sony/ATV Music. Soon after, she released (2) her debut
A. NO CHANGE
B. with country roots, and catchy tunes.
C. with country roots. And her catchy tunes.
D. with country roots, and she writes catchy
tunes.
2. Which of the following changes to the underlined
portion would NOT be acceptable?
album the single “Our Song” made her the youngest
F.
G.
H.
J.
singer-songwriter of a #1 country song. In 2006, Swift
was also nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Two years later, Swift released her (3) second
3.
album, Fearless and she went on to become the
youngest Grammy winner ever for Album of the Year.
her debut album; the single “Our Song”
her debut album, and the single “Our Song”
her debut album. The single “Our Song”
her debut album, the single “Our Song”
A. NO CHANGE
B. second album, Fearless, and she went on
C. second album, Fearless; and she went on
D. second album, Fearless. And she went on
Fearless became the most-awarded country album in
4. The underlined portion can be replaced with all of the
following EXCEPT:
history. Her acceptance speech after becoming the first
country artist to win an MTV Video Music Award was
F. Kanye West’s interruption, but Swift
maintained
G. Kanye West’s interruption; however, Swift
maintained
H. Kanye West’s interruption, Swift maintained
J. Kanye West’s interruption, though Swift
maintained
overshadowed by (4) Kanye West’s interruption Swift
maintained her poise and won even more fans.
Taylor Swift shows no signs of slowing down.
Her third album, Speak Now, sold one million copies in its
5.
first week. She has also (5) ventured into films and
even released her own fragrance, Wonderstuck. Taylor
A.
B.
C.
D.
NO CHANGE
ventured into films, and even released
ventured into films and she even released
ventured into films; even released
Swift made her mark on the world at a young age and will
likely continue to inspire her fans for years to come.
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
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© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
SENTENCE STRUCTURE—Run-Ons
Answer
Explanation
1. A
We tried to trick you. The underlined portion in the passage is NOT a run-on sentence. It only
contains one complete thought; therefore, the three options presented for fixing run-on sentences
are not needed here.
2. J
In “NOT” questions, we are looking for the WRONG answer. Choice J is NOT an option for correcting
run-on sentences because it forms a comma splice. Remember: We cannot use a comma alone to join
two complete thoughts. The other answer choices (using a semicolon, a comma plus a conjunction, or
a period) are all acceptable options for correcting a run-on sentence.
3. B
This sentence combines two complete thoughts with the conjunction and. However, we also need a
comma before the conjunction (this rule only applies when joining two complete thoughts). Also, the
album title Fearless can be considered an interruption (remember the lesson on commas), so we need
a comma after it as well.
4. H
Similar to question 2, we are looking for a WRONG answer. And just like in question 2, the WRONG
option creates a comma splice by incorrectly joining two complete thoughts with a comma alone.
5. A
Another trick question: The underlined portion in question 5 is NOT a run-on sentence. Therefore, no
change is necessary.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
Check your score range as listed below:
______ 4-5 correct:
We are wonderstruck at your ability to correct run-on sentences.
______ 3 correct:
Your sentence structure skills are fearless.
______ 1-2 correct:
Even Taylor Swift would be shocked!
______ 0 correct:
Instead of writing a sad song, go back to page 90 to rehearse.
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
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[email protected]
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© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
REFLECTION
1.
Revise the run-on sentence using each of the three options.
USE A PERIOD
A
USE A SEMICOLON
B
USE A COMMA + A CONJUNCTION
C
RUN-ON:
Taylor Swift is one of
country music's most
popular stars she has
sold millions of albums.
2. You may only use a comma to correct a run-on if you combine it with a: _________________________
Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has written over 250 songs. She wrote her first song about feeling like an outsider at school
when she was only twelve years old.

Before moving to Nashville to pursue country music, Taylor grew up on a Christmas tree farm in
Pennsylvania.

Taylor has been romantically linked to several celebrities, including Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, Jake
Gyllenhaal, and John Mayer. Some speculate that a few of her hit songs have even been inspired by her
famous exes.

Taylor was the youngest musical guest to appear on Saturday Night Live.

She wrote two original songs for The Hunger Games soundtrack.
1. Possible Answers: A) Taylor Swift is one of country music's most popular stars. She has sold millions of albums. B) Taylor Swift is one of country
music's most popular stars; she has sold millions of albums. C) Taylor Swift is one of country music's most popular stars, and she has sold millions of
albums.
2. comma
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
www.funactprep.com or contact us at
[email protected]
93
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis