Run-on Sentences

Students will: Identify, correct, and

punctuate run-on sentences. Proofread for run-on

sentences.

What is a run on sentence?

› A run on sentence is two or more sentences that are run together with commas or without any punctuation.

› One way to correct a run-on sentence is to turn it into a compound sentence.

› You form a compound sentence by using a conjunction such as “and, or, & but.”

› Use a comma before each conjunction.

Run on: › Some jobs require special clothing these

clothes provide protection.

Corrected: › Some jobs require special clothing, and

these clothes provide protection.

What is a run on sentence?› Another way to correct a run-on

sentence is to divide it into separate sentences.

Run on: › Electricians often wear rubber gloves,

electricity cannot go through rubber.

Corrected: › Electricians often wear rubber gloves.

Electricity cannot go through rubber.

Tell if each sentence is correct or if it is a run-on. If it is a run-on, tell how to correct it.

Some dancers wear special shoes the toes are stiff.› Some dancers wear special shoes, but the

toes are stiff.› Some dancers wear special shoes. The

toes are stiff.

Rita is a police officer, her badge tells her rank. Rita is a police officer, and her badge tells

her rank. Rita is a police officer. Her badge tells her

rank.

Clowns paint their faces, and they wear funny costumes and colorful wigs. Clowns paint their faces, wear funny

costumers, and colorful wigs.

Pete often walks in mud his boots keep his feet dry. Pete often walks in mud, but his boots keep

his feet dry. Pete often walks in mud. His boots keep his

feet dry.

Scuba divers often dive into cold water special rubber suits keep them warm. Scuba divers often dive into cold water, but

their special rubber suits keep them warm. Scuba divers often dive into cold water.

Their special rubber suits keep them warm.

Lifeguards wear bright bathing suits, these are

easily spotted. Lifeguards wear bright bathing suits, and these are easily

spotted. Lifeguards wear bright bathing suits. These are easily

spotted.

People fish for trout in deep water high boots keep their legs very dry. People fish for trout in deep water, but high boots keep

their legs very dry. People fish for trout in deep water. High boots keep their

legs very dry.

Carpenters wear overalls with many pockets, a special belt holds their nails. Carpenters wear overalls with many pockets, and a

special belt holds their nails. Carpenters wear overalls with many pockets. A special

belt holds their nails.

Pitchers throw baseballs very fast catchers must wear facemasks. Pitchers throw baseballs very fast, and catchers must

wear facemasks. Pitchers throw baseballs very fast. Catchers must wear

facemasks.

Scott is a figure skater he moves like the wind.

Scott is a figure skater, and he moves like the wind.

Scott is a figure skater. He moves like the wind.

Jockeys’ trousers are white, their jackets are colorful. Jockeys’ trousers are white, but their jackets are

colorful. Jockeys’ trousers are white. Their jackets are

colorful.

Read the following paragraph and tell if there are any run-on sentences, and if so, correct them.

Outdoor workers and walkers should not be

without one. Use it in the sun use it in the rain.

Wear it at work wear it at play. Put it on when

you’re at the beach, it will give you great

protection. What is this new product? It’s a Dearie

Umbrella Hat. It is practical, it is cute too. Buy two

or three and keep one with you at all times.

, or

, or

and

but ,