English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-ons

Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Session 5: Run-ons

Part A: Diagnostic Test

Identify and underline the run-on sentences in the following passage. Then,
correct the sentence errors in the space between the lines.

Time is fair to everyone. No matter whether you are rich or poor, old or young,

you can only have 24 hours a day, the same for everyone in the world. You need more

time to do your work you cannot just go to a store and purchase “time” like any

consumable goods. Once your days or opportunities have gone, you will never be able

to use money to buy them back. You may regret wasting your days during youth or

missing some valuable opportunities in the past, however, there is no way for you to

travel back to the past or go to the future to change your fate even if you are a

billionaire. There is nothing you can do about it, in addition, we will all die one day. It

is a natural course that everyone has to go through. Again, no tycoons can use money

to buy more time for their lives no individuals can do anything either. In the ancient

time of China, many emperors tried very hard to find a way to prolong their lives.

They sent soldiers to go everywhere to search for such a medicine or ordered doctors

to produce a desirable prescription, they would not give up any hope of finding a

solution of this. However, no matter how hard they tried, all their efforts proved to be

futile.

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English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-ons
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Part B: Grammatical Sentences – Review

Run-on Sentences

Fused sentences: Two sentences joined together as one without a proper
conjunction or punctuation.
Example: Girls like playing dolls boys like playing toy cars.
Correction: Girls like playing dolls; boys like playing to cars. (A period “.” can
also be used here for correction.)

Comma-splice: Two sentences joined together as one with only a comma.
Example: It will rain soon, we better bring an umbrella.
Correction: It will rain soon, so we better bring an umbrella. (A coordinating
conjunction “so” is used for correction.)
Correction: As it will rain soon, we better bring an umbrella. (A subordinating
conjunction “as” is used for correction.)

Combining Sentences

Compound Sentences: A compound sentence structure shows that two
thoughts are of equal importance and connected by linking words (coordinating
conjunctions) like for, and, nor, or, but, yet, so.
Example: He likes to eat, but he never gains weight.

Complex Sentences: A complex sentence has an independent clause and a

dependent clause joined by a subordinating conjunction like because, if, when,
before, after, although.
Example: When she finished her homework, she turned on the TV.
Example: As it’s raining, we had better stay at home.

Clauses in Connected by Importance of

the thoughts for
sentence clauses
Simple sentences 1 N/A N/A
Complex sentences 2 (or more) Coordinating conjunctions Equally important
(for, and, nor but, or, yet,
so)
Complex sentences 2 (or more) Subordinating The independent
conjunctions (because, clause is more
when, after, before, important
although)

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English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-ons
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Part C: Concept Boosting Exercises

Exercise C1: Identify and underline the run-on sentences in the following
passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between the lines.

Environmental issues began to make headlines in the last decade as people have

become aware of the negative effects caused by technological advancements. Most

people are no longer ignorant of the need to protect the environment, only a few are

actually prepared to do something about it. The current plight of our earth is an

accumulation of negligence by our past generations. We now all have the

responsibility to protect the planet, for example, we can hold exhibitions to alert the

public of the seriousness of the environmental problems. Also, we should take actions

by ourselves.

In Hong Kong, many people like to use air conditioners in summer this can

certainly bring us coolness and comfort in hot summer days. However,

non-discriminatory use of air conditioners is part of the causes for global warming.

We should be more responsible and use air conditioners only when necessary, also we

can bring our own plastic bags when shopping. Since plastic is a not a biodegradable

material, we should reduce its use as much as possible.

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English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-ons
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Exercise C2: Identify and underline the sentence fragments and run-ons in the
following passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between the
lines.

Some people say legalizing soccer betting can lead to many social problems,

what do you think? Although we may easily find such reports in newspapers, it does

not give us a full picture of the whole issue I think legalizing gambling not only

benefits the society, but is also good for us. To begin with, the tax revenue generated

from legal soccer betting can bring more funds for social organisations. Also, due to

increased income from this new source, Hong Kong Jockey Club can donate more

money to enhance the development of our community more money will be available

for developing social welfare, medical care, education and other social services. For

example, use the donation to build more schools and develop new medical

technology.

Besides enhancing the social welfare. Legalizing gambling can help reduce crime

rate, since soccer betting is so popular now, people will just turn to illegal gambling if

Hong Kong Jockey Club does not accept their betting. Illegal gambling will lead to

many criminal activities. Such as money laundry and loan sharks. It will also provide

a significant source of income to triad societies for them to expand, therefore we

should legalize soccer betting to eliminate all such illegal activities and help protect

our citizens.

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English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-ons
Semester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC

Exercise C3: Reflect on your own English writing experience. Did you often write
sentence fragments and run-ons in the past? What were the most common types
of fragments you wrote before, phrases or dependable clauses? What were the
most common types of run-on sentences you wrote before, fused sentences or
comma splices? Give examples of TWO fragments and TWO run-on sentences
and correct the mistakes.

My weaknesses: _______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Fragments:

Example 1: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Correction: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Example 2: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Correction: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Run-on Sentences:

Example 1: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Correction: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Example 2: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Correction: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________