Run-Ons

1. Run-Ons Writing First with Readings, Chapter 21 p. 333 - 346

2. Recognizing Run-Ons • A sentence consists of at least one independent clause: one subject and one verb: College costs are rising. • A run-on is an error that occurs when two sentences are joined incorrectly. There are two types of run-ons: fused sentences and comma splices.

3. Fused Sentences & Comma Splices • Fused sentences occur when two sentences are joined without punctuation: College costs are rising many students are worried. • Comma splices occur when two sentences are joined with just a comma: College costs are rising, many students are worried.

4. Words that can lead to run-ons People often write run-ons with the second complete thought begins with one of the following words:

5. Correcting Run-Ons: 5 Methods • Use a period to create two separate sentences. • Use a coordinating conjunction to connect ideas. • Use a semicolon to connect ideas. • Use a semicolon followed by a transitional word or phrase to connect ideas. • Use a dependent word (including subordinating conjunctions) to connect ideas

6. Fixing run-ons with a semicolon If you want to indicate a particularly close connection—or a strong contrast—between two ideas, use a semicolon: FUSED SENTENCE: Most professional basketball players go to college most professional baseball players do not. COMMA SPLICE: Most professional basketball players go to college, most professional baseball players do not. Most professional basketball players go to college;most professional baseball players do not

7. Fixing run-ons with a semicolon To indicate a specific relationship between two closely related ideas, add a transitional word or phrase after a semicolon: FUSED SENTENCE: Finding a part-time job can be challenging sometimes it is even hard to find an unpaid internship. COMMA SPLICE: Finding a part-time job can be challenging sometimes it is even hard to find an unpaid internship. Finding a part-time job can be challenging; in fact, sometimes it is even hard to find an unpaid internship.

8. Using dependent words (list on p. 340) When one idea is dependent on another, you can connect the two ideas by adding a dependent word such as when, who, although, or because: FUSED SENTENCE: American union membership was high in the mid-twentieth century it has declined in recent years. COMMA SPLICE: American union membership was high in the mid-twentieth century it has declined in recent years. AlthoughAmerican union membership was high in the mid-twentieth century,it has declined in recent years. American union membership, which was high in the mid-twentieth century,it has declined in recent years.

9. Review • Fused sentences occur when two sentences are joined without punctuation. • Comma splices occur when two sentences are joined with just a comma. Fused sentence or comma splice? When I was young I wanted to be an astronaut now, I want to be a veterinarian.

10. Review • To see if a sentence is a run-on, read it aloud and listen for a break marking two complete thoughts you will probably pause at the break. • To check an entire paper, read it aloud from the last sentence to the first, doing so will help you hear and see each complete thought. • Be on the lookout for words that can lead to run-on sentences: I, you, he/she/it, we, they there, this, that, then, next, now.

11. Test Practice Independent clauses Dependent clauses Compound sentences Complex sentences Fragments Run-ons

12. David was known for belching; and telling inappropriate jokes in public. • Capitalization • Punctuation • Spelling • Grammar • Correct • David was known for belching, and telling inappropriate jokes in public. • David was known for belching; also, for telling inappropriate jokes in public. • David was known for belching and telling inappropriate jokes in public. • David belched and told inappropriate jokes in public.

13. Graduation from High School is considered by many a momentous occasion. • Capitalization • Punctuation • Spelling • Grammar • Correct

14. The intricacy of the mathematical equation, drove the student crazy trying to solve it. • Capitalization • Punctuation • Spelling • Grammar • Correct • The intricacy of the mathematical equation, drove the student crazy trying to solve it. • The intricacy of the mathematical equation has driven the student crazy trying to solve it. • The intricacy of the mathematical equation drives the student crazy as she tries to solve it. • The intricacy of the mathematical equation drove the student crazy trying to solve it.

15. The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to his boss. For verbal abuse. • Fused sentence • Comma splice • Spelling • Fragment • Correct • The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to the Dean, for verbal abuse. • The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to the Dean he was reported for verbal abuse. • The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to the Dean, he was reported for verbal abuse. • The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to the Dean for verbal abuse.

16. The teacher identified the troublemakers, in her classroom. • Fused sentence • Comma splice • Punctuation • Fragment • Correct • The teacher identified the troublemakers in her classroom. • The teacher identified the troublemakers; in her classroom. • The teacher identified the troublemakers, in her classroom. • The teacher identified the troublemakers. In her classroom.