Technical Writing 7

Run-on Sentences
Quarter 4 – Module 1
(Week 1 and 2)

Jenie Rose E. Egido

Writer
Expectations
After going through this module, you are expected to
1. Recall the uses of different punctuations.
2. Classify an independent from dependent clause.
3. Identify a run-on sentence.
4. Use the appropriate punctuation and/or conjunction to correct a run-on sentence.

Pre-Test
Directions: Read and analyze the following sentences below. Place a √ if it’s
grammatically and correctly punctuated sentence; otherwise, put a X if it’s a run-on
sentence. (10pts.)

______ 1. A bouquet of freshly-cut flowers was given by my fiancé.

______ 2. She wanted to go to the movie she called to find out what time the show
started.
______ 3. Sabrina sang as loudly as she could; everybody heard her.
______ 4. They are running four miles every morning.
______ 5. You finished your work early, you don't have to stay.
______ 6. There are four possible routes I don’t know which is the best.
______ 7. I was too sick to go, so I called and cancelled the plans.
______ 8. Please be seated.
______ 9. She didn't want to miss her meeting she made sure she left early.
______ 10. Someone left a mess behind.

Looking Back
ACTIVITY 1 – Directions: Recall the different uses of period, comma, and semicolon.
Supply the correct punctuation to complete each statement. Choose from . , or ; (6pts.)

1. School ends soon but Pauline has not started her term paper yet.
2. Stanley read the book Friday he wrote his essay today.
3. No one answered the phone when Mom called us
4. I found his books so I returned them to him.
5. The tree rotted and died
6. We choose one way they choose another.
ACTIVITY 2 – Directions: Classify the following underlined group of words below. Write
IC if it’s an independent clause or DC if it’s a dependent clause. An example was given to serve as
your guide. (5pts.)

Example: The practice was cancelled because it was raining.

IC DC

_______ 1. Whenever he travels, he collects souvenirs.

_______ 2. Bob left early, so I came with him.
_______ 3. The animals weren’t hungry; they had already eaten.
_______ 4. We can go to the beach today, or we can wait for a better weather.
_______ 5. Although he disliked her, he was polite.

Brief Introduction
A run-on sentence or simply run-ons (sometimes called a fused sentence) are two or more
independent clauses that have been smooshed together or clauses that were not properly
connected or separated.

Look and analyze the sentences below. They are both examples of run-ons because each
sentence has two independent clauses (IC) which are not properly connected or separated.

1. The sun is high put on some sunblock. (X)

IC IC

IC IC
2. She wanted to go to the movie she called to find out
what time the show started. (X)
 When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a run-on
sentence
Take that
a look andis analyze
called a comma splice.below. It is an example of comma splice because it
the sentence
has two independent clauses connected only by comma.

IC IC
3. The animals weren’t hungry, they had already
eaten. (X)

To correct run-ons and comma splices, you may do the following ways:

IC IC
1. The sun is high. Put on some sunblock.
(Use period to separate 2 independent clauses.)

IC IC
2. The sun is high; put on some sunblock.
(Use semicolon to separate 2 independent clauses.)

IC IC
3. The sun is high, so put on some sunblock.
(Use comma and an appropriate COORDINATING CONJUNCTION to
separate 2 independent clauses.)

IC IC
1. The animals weren’t hungry. They had already eaten.
(Use period to separate 2 independent clauses.)

IC IC
2. The animals weren’t hungry; they had already eaten.
(Use semicolon to separate 2 independent clauses.)

IC DC
3. The animals weren’t hungry because they had already eaten.
(Use an appropriate SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION, and make 1 independent
clauses and 1 subordinate clause.)
Activity
Directions: Revise and rewrite the following sentences to fix the run-on
sentences/comma splices. Choose any method to correct the given sentences. (2pts each)

1. Judy leads a charmed life, she never seems to have a serious accident.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. I like learning English it makes me tired.
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. I love school, I love learning, my teacher is nice.
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. We usually leave at 11AM but today is different we are leaving at 10:30AM.
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Checking Your Understanding

Directions: On your notebook or pad paper or bond paper, write a short letter (10-15
sentences) to your future self (10-15 years from now.) Think of or imagine the activities/plans
that you wanted to do, lessons/advices that you wanted to give or share, and
goals/dreams that wanted to achieve or see yourself doing in the future.

Make sure to punctuate properly to avoid run-on sentences and comma splices.
Please write neatly and legibly. (15pts.)
Post- Test
Directions: Read and analyze the following sentences. Write CS if it’s a grammatically
and correctly punctuated sentence; otherwise, place RO if it’s a run-on or a comma
splice. (10pts.)

_____ 1. Forced onto the side lines by his torn ligament, Jack was restless and unhappy.
_____ 2. The typical sonnet has fourteen lines, ten syllables make up each line.
_____ 3. Roosters begin to crow at dawn. They seem to bring the farm to life.
_____ 4. Marcelino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could
always depend on.
_____ 5. Do most people like criticism? I don’t think so.
_____ 6. You may visit the White House; you can tour the museums.
_____ 7. The cat finally fell asleep the mouse ran through the room.
_____ 8. This computer doesn't make sense to me, it came without a manual.
_____ 4. Helen practiced for many hours because she was determined to win the prize.
______5. My best friend won the scholarship; she is also a superb athlete.

Answer Keys:
PRE-TEST LOOKING BACK Activity 2:
1. √ Activity 1: 1. DC
2. X 1. School ends soon, but 2. IC
Pauline has not started her 3. IC
3. √
term paper yet. 4. IC
4. √ 2. Stanley read the book 5. DC
5. X Friday; he wrote his essay
6. X today. ACTIVITY
7. √ 3. No one answered the phone Students’ answers may vary.
8. √ when Mom called us.
9. X 4. I found his books, so I CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
returned them to him. Students’ answers may vary.
10. √
5. The tree rotted and died.
6. We choose one way; they
choose another.

References:
1. Prentice Hall Grammar and Composition 1 pp. 180-187
2. http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/runons.htm
3. https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/sentelmt.aspx#comma%20splices
4. https://www.msvu.ca/campus-life/centre-for-academic-advising-and-student-success/writing-centre/handouts-for-specific-writing-
issues/run-on-sentences/