This ESL writing lesson introduces students to run-on sentences and how to correct them, after which several run-on sentences are presented for the students to rewrite and correct.
Run-on Sentences: Introduction
A run-on sentence is when two complete sentences are put together without correct punctuation (a comma or period, for example). You should avoid run-on sentences when you write!
Example:
-
- We went to the beach it was a lot of fun. (run-on sentence)
This is actually two sentences: We went to the beach. and It was a lot of fun. To correct this, you can add a period:
> We went to the beach. It was a lot of fun. (Right!)
Or you can add a conjunction (and / but / so / because) between the sentences. (Note: With “and/but/so” you need to use a comma (,), but with “because” you usually don’t need a comma.)
> We went to the beach, and it was a lot of fun. (Right!)
> We went to the beach because it is a fun place to go. (Right!)
-
- John is sick he hasn’t gone to the doctor. (run-on sentence)
> John is sick. He hasn’t gone to the doctor. (Right!)
> John is sick, but he hasn’t gone to the doctor. (Right!)
-
- I didn’t finish my homework the teacher is not happy with me. (run-on sentence)
> I didn’t finish my homework. The teacher is not happy with me. (Right!)
> I didn’t finish my homework, so the teacher is not happy with me. (Right!)
Rewrite these run-on sentences using a period (.) or a conjunction (and / but / so / because). (See page 76 for sample answers.)
1. I was late to school the teacher didn’t notice.
_________________________________________________________________
2. I want to live in California the weather is nice there.
_________________________________________________________________
3. My dad ate all the ice cream I can’t have any for dessert.
_________________________________________________________________
4. Doctors are important they help sick people.
_________________________________________________________________
Comments are closed.