Assessed - Select the most appropriate method to correct a run-on sentence (i.e., conjunctions, semi-colons, and periods to join or separate elements) within context.
In this lesson you will learn how to recognize and correct run-on sentences. A run-on sentence is two or more sentences that are incorrectly written as one sentence. The length of the sentence has nothing to do with it being a run-on sentence. Here are some examples:
Incorrect
In the afternoon our judge came over and introduced himself he told us he'd be going with us that night.
Correct
In the afternoon our judge came over and introduced himself. He told us he'd be going with us that night.
Incorrect
Little Ann smelled a coon she took off.
Correct
Little Ann smelled a coon, so she took off.
Incorrect
My dogs treed they were across the river from us.
Correct
My dogs treed; they were across the river from us.
Incorrect
Everything was fine we reached midstream.
Correct
Everything was fine, until we reached midstream.
Select run-on or correct. The judge said, "You can't beat these Ozark Mountain nights for beauty."
run-on
correct
Select run-on or correct. Grandpa started to say something his voice was drowned out by the bell-like cry of Little Ann.
run-on
correct
Select run-on or correct. Grandpa got tangled up in some underbrush, and lost his hat and spectacles.
run-on
correct
Select run-on or correct. Twenty minutes later we heard them coming back we stopped.
run-on
correct
Select run-on or correct. Closing my eyes, I could almost see them running, bodies stretched to their fullest length, legs pounding up and down, white steam rolling from their hot breath in the frosty night.
run-on
correct
What is the best way to correct this run-on sentence? We walked on every now and then we would stop and listen.
We walked on. Every now and then we would stop and listen.
We walked on every now. And then we would stop and listen.
We walked on every now and then. We would stop and listen.
We walked on every now and then we would stop. And listen.
What is the best way to correct this run-on sentence? At that moment, the loud clear voice of a redbone hound, bawling treed, rang through the river bottoms it was the voice of Little Ann.
At that moment, the loud clear voice of a redbone hound, bawling treed, rang. Through the river bottoms it was the voice of Little Ann.
At that moment, the loud clear voice of a redbone hound, bawling treed. Rang through the river bottoms it was the voice of Little Ann.
At that moment, the loud clear voice of a redbone hound. Bawling treed, rang through the river bottoms it was the voice of Little Ann.
At that moment, the loud clear voice of a redbone hound, bawling treed, rang through the river bottoms. It was the voice of Little Ann.
What is the best way to correct this run-on sentence? All three disappeared under the water I held my breath.
All three disappeared. Under the water I held my breath.
All three disappeared under the water. I held my breath.
All three disappeared under the water I held. My breath.
All three disappeared under. The water I held my breath.
What is the best way to correct this run-on sentence? Grandpa got nervous he asked if I ought to whoop to my dogs.
Grandpa got nervous he asked. If I ought to whoop to my dogs.
Grandpa got nervous he asked if I ought to whoop.To my dogs.
Grandpa got nervous. He asked if I ought to whoop to my dogs.
Grandpa got nervous he. Asked if I ought to whoop to my dogs.
What is the best way to correct this run-on sentence? Grandpa snorted the judge laughed.
Grandpa. Snorted the judge laughed.
Grandpa snorted the judge. Laughed.
Grandpa snorted. The judge laughed.
The second method for correcting run-on sentences is linking the sentences or clauses with a conjunction. (The seven coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember by the acronym FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.)
Example:
We skinned the coon soon were on our way again.
We skinned the coon
soon were on our way again.
In this practice correct the following run-on sentences by adding a comma and a conjunction. We knew we shouldn't be laughing we couldn't help ourselves.
In this practice correct the following run-on sentences by adding a comma and a conjunction. I was sure the coon had walked the rail fence in some way had fooled my dogs.
In this practice correct the following run-on sentences by adding a comma and a conjunction. The hackberry tree has something to do with his trick I don't know what.
In this practice correct the following run-on sentences by adding a comma and a conjunction. I've been hunting coons and judging coon hunts for forty years I've never seen anything like that.
The third method for correcting run-on sentences is joining the two clauses with a semicolon. Use a semicolon to join clauses when the ideas are closely connected and need no transition word to explain the connection between them. The semicolon, as used here, is the grammatical equivalent of a period.
Example:
It's daylight now if we walk up to the tree, the coon will jump out.
It's daylight now
if we walk up to the tree, the coon will jump out.
In the following practice correct the following run-on sentences by joining the two clauses with a semicolon.
I knew that Little Ann had scented the coon in the air the same as she had the ghost coon.
In the following practice correct the following run-on sentences by joining the two clauses with a semicolon.
I'll tell you it was the prettiest sight I ever saw.
In the following practice correct the following run-on sentences by joining the two clauses with a semicolon.
He jerked off his hat he let out a yell.
In the following practice correct the following run-on sentences by joining the two clauses with a semicolon.
It wasn't a whoop or a screech it was about halfway in between.
The fourth method for correcting run-on sentences is by making one of the clauses dependent by adding words such as since, which, that, although, because, or while.
Example:
We have to get one more coon I have to tree it myself.
We have to get one more coon
I have to tree it myself.
In the following practice correct the run-on sentences by making one of the clauses dependent. The following list of words will help you:
after
because
that
where
although
before
thought
wherever
as
even though
unless
which
as if
if
until
while
as long as
once
what
who
as soon as
since
whatever
however
as though
so that
whenever
We came into the campground the hunters came out of their tents and gathered around us.
In the following practice correct the run-on sentences by making one of the clauses dependent. There is a tie for the championship there will be another runoff.
In the following practice correct the run-on sentences by making one of the clauses dependent. I turned them loose they started for the timber.
In the following practice correct the run-on sentences by making one of the clauses dependent. It was getting daylight the birds were singing.
