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Avoiding Run-On Sentences

Runonsentencesoccurwhentwoormoreindependentclausesarenotjoinedtogetherproperly.These
mistakesoftenhappenwhen:

Thenewthoughtbeginswithapronoun.
Thenewthoughtbeginswithatransitionalexpressionorconjunctiveadverb.
Thenewthoughtbeginswithadirectionalwordsuchasthen.

Therearefourwaysofcorrectingrunonsentences:

Separatethetwosentencesusingaperiod.
(Ex:Todaywasveryhot.Itwas100degrees.)
Makeacompoundsentence.
(Ex:Kellylikespizza,butAllylikestoeathotdogs.)
Connectthetwoideaswithasemicolon.
(Ex:Itwasveryhottoday;itwas100degrees.)
Createacomplexsentence.
(Ex:Kellylikespizza;however,Allylikestoeathotdogs.)
(Ex:AlthoughIliketoplaytennis,Allylikestoplaybasketball.)
Direction: Correctly punctuation the run-on sentences. If it is correct, write C beside it.
1.ThedressIboughtforthepromisbeautifulbutitwasexpensive.
2.Theleadsingerofthebandquitethereforetheycancelledtheirconcert.
3.Adeerstreakedacrosstheroadinfrontofusitalmostgothit.
4.SometimesIwishIwasanadult,howeverIalsoenjoybeingakid.
5.Thenewfurniturelookedgreatinmyroom,Ineedanewbedspreadnow.
6.Thecollapseofthebuildingwasasurpriseneverthelesseveryonemanagedtoescape.
7.Itisalwaysagoodideatoprepareforaspeechitwillmakeyoubelessnervous.
8.Iorderedmynewshirtonline,Igotfreeshippingonit,too.
9.PaintingismypassionthereforeImaketimetopainteveryday.
10.IsavedmoneytogotoDisneyWorldthenIspentitallonjewelry.
11.IdonotenjoyfishingneverthelessIoftengowithmyfriends.
12.Iwenttothedoctoryesterday,hegavemetwoshots.
13.EveryoneshouldknowhowtoreadIcantimaginenotbeingabletoread.
14.Ourfencewasdamagedinthestormthereforewearegettinganewone.

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Name _________________________________

Date _________________

Avoiding Run-On Sentences Answers

Runonsentencesoccurwhentwoormoreindependentclausesarenotjoinedtogetherproperly.These
mistakesoftenhappenwhen:

Thenewthoughtbeginswithapronoun.
Thenewthoughtbeginswithatransitionalexpressionorconjunctiveadverb.
Thenewthoughtbeginswithadirectionalwordsuchasthen.

Therearefourwaysofcorrectingrunonsentences:

Separatethetwosentencesusingaperiod.
(Ex:Todaywasveryhot.Itwas100degrees.)
Makeacompoundsentence.
(Ex:Kellylikespizza,butAllylikestoeathotdogs.)
Connectthetwoideaswithasemicolon.
(Ex:Itwasveryhottoday;itwas100degrees.)
Createacomplexsentence.
(Ex:Kellylikespizza;however,Allylikestoeathotdogs.)
(Ex:AlthoughIliketoplaytennis,Allylikestoplaybasketball.)
Direction: Correctly punctuation the run-on sentences. If it is correct, write C beside it.
Answers will vary. Sentences can be corrected in several different ways.
1.ThedressIboughtforthepromisbeautiful,butitwasexpensive.
2.Theleadsingerofthebandquite;therefore,theycancelledtheirconcert.
3.Adeerstreakedacrosstheroadinfrontofus.Italmostgothit.
4.SometimesIwishIwasanadult;however,Ialsoenjoybeingakid.
5.Thenewfurniturelookedgreatinmyroom,soIneedanewbedspreadnow.
6.Thecollapseofthebuildingwasasurprise;nevertheless,everyonemanagedtoescape.
7.Itisalwaysagoodideatoprepareforaspeech;itwillmakeyoubelessnervous.
8.Iorderedmynewshirtonline,andIgotfreeshippingonit,too.
9.Paintingismypassion;therefore,Imaketimetopainteveryday.
10.IsavedmoneytogotoDisneyWorld;then,Ispentitallonjewelry.
11.Idonotenjoyfishing;nevertheless,Ioftengowithmyfriends.
12.Iwenttothedoctoryesterday,andhegavemetwoshots.
13.Everyoneshouldknowhowtoread.Icantimaginenotbeingabletoread.
14.Ourfencewasdamagedinthestorm;therefore,wearegettinganewone.

www.LittleWorksheets.com