The following collection of activity sheets will present various run-on sentences. Students will be asked to correct them using one of the four different methods, either by adding their own punctuation, rewriting the sentences, or identifying which multiple-choice answer is correctly punctuated. Students will also be asked to determine whether a sentence is simple, compound, or run-on. Answer sheets have been provided for instructors, but please note that in some cases, your students' answers may vary.
An example of a run-on sentence would be: I am a boy I am lacrosse player. The reason this is incorrect is because there are basically two complete sentences fused into one. That's a reason that run-on sentences are called fused sentences.
Get Free Worksheets In Your Inbox!
Printable Run-On Sentences Worksheets
Click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key.
On the blank line after each word group, write an independent clause beginning with the word printed in parentheses. Add connectors and proper punctuation and capitalization.
While listening to music she often sings aloud to herself whether she is alone or not and whenever I am around and hear her it is really annoying especially since she couldn't carry a tune in a bucket!
A group of words that does not express a complete thought, but is still punctuated like a sentence, is called a fragment. A fragment can be corrected by adding more words so that it becomes a sentence. It can also be corrected by adding it to another sentence or correcting the punctuation.
Read each sentence below. If it is a run-on sentence. write RO on the line. If it is a fragment, write F on the line. If it is a complete sentence, write S on the line.
In order to be a sentence, a group of words must contain both a subject and a verb, and express a complete thought. A fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought, but is still punctuated like a sentence A run-on sentence is two or more complete sentences that are punctuated as one long sentence.
An incomplete sentence is called a sentence fragment. It is either missing a subject, missing a predicate, or does not express a complete thought. Read each set of words. Write fragment or sentence on the line.
Practice started at eight but there were only three people there so we all had to wait another twenty minutes for the rest of the team to arrive the coach was angry.
Read the paragraph. Underline each fragment once. Underline each run-on sentence twice. Then, on a separate sheet, rewrite the paragraph, correcting the errors.
Find all the errors and put it together in a sentence.
How to Fix a Run-On Sentence
Brief, simple sentences throughout your article or essay can make it hard for the reader to stay focused. So, combining sentences can add to the sentence structure simply by adding some variety. However, you should be wary of this type of language. They can be confusing and hard to read –and even result in your writing becoming sloppy.
Let's take a closer look at how to fix run-on sentences and improve your writing skills.
What are They?
First, let's learn what exactly they are. This grammar mistake occurs when two or more distinct clauses are incorrectly used in one sentence. It can become hard to read for the people and become distracting too. As a writer, you need to avoid them to make sure that you are communicating the intended idea and key information smoothly.
A common kind of run-on sentence involves the comma splice. This occurs when you use a comma to join two different clauses together.
How to Fix Them
Run-on sentences can be corrected by different grammar tools. You need to connect the two clauses naturally. Here are some ways to do that:
Using Periods
One of the easiest ways to split the run-on sentence is to use a period to create smaller sentences. This works best with longer sentences that can contain too much information. One way to determine whether your sentence is too long and in need of a period is to read it aloud. If you feel like you are running out of breath, you have your answer.
Use the period to break the sentence. However, make sure that it doesn't result in choppy, short sentences.
For example:
Error: "Adam and Jane planned to go to school starting from Thursday because they thought that their mother wouldn't be able to come home in time after the holidays, but then their mother called them and told them that she booked a flight to come home in time for their school."
Corrected Version: "Adam and Jane planned to go to school starting from Thursday because they thought that their mother wouldn't be able to come home in time after the holidays. However, their mother called and told them that she booked a flight to come home in time for their school."
Using a Semicolon
You can use a semicolon between two different clauses to fix the run-on sentence. It is definitely a stylish way to help you establish a connection between the sentences.
Error: "Diana was looking at five different colleges to apply for her degree from all over the country, but she missed the deadline for two, so she only ended up applying to three from her original list."
Corrected Version: "Diana was looking at five different colleges to apply for her degree from all over the country; she missed the deadline for two, so she only ended up applying to three from her original list."
Using Commas or Coordinating Conjunctions
You can use a comma and pair it with coordinating conjunctions like "or,","bu,t" or "and." You can use this method to establish that there is a connection between the two independent clauses.
Error: "I am going to go to school from August; Jane is going from September."
Corrected Version: "I am going to go to school from August, but Jane is going from September."
Using Subordinating Conjunctions
You can take an independent clause and change it to a dependent one by using subordinating conjunctions like "although," "unless," or "because." It creates a complex sentence while cementing the link between the two sentence parts. It can also improve the flow between the two clauses.
Error: "I like working at the Cheesecake factory; they have great discounts for employees."
Corrected Version: "I like working at the Cheesecake factory because they have great discounts for employees."
Now that you know how to fix this type of language, you can use the techniques above to improve your writing skills.