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Chapter 36 of 41

Run-on Sentences

Identify fused sentences and comma splices and repair clause boundaries.

30 minutes 10 quick checksBy Subha Prasad
Lesson 36 of 41Course navigation

Lesson content

Read, practise, then check your understanding

A run-on joins independent clauses without adequate punctuation. A fused sentence has no mark; a comma splice uses only a comma. Repair with a period, semicolon, coordinating conjunction, or subordination according to meaning.

Patterns and examples

  • Incorrect: The class ended we went home.
  • Correct: The class ended, so we went home.
  • Correct: Because the class ended, we went home.
  • Correct: The class ended; we went home.

Notice how form and meaning work together. Read examples aloud, identify the controlling word or clause, and compare them with nearby alternatives before applying the pattern in new writing.

Practice sentences

  • Repair a comma splice three different ways.
  • Choose which idea should be subordinate.

After answering, explain the rule in your own words and create one original sentence using the same structure.

Knowledge check

Answer every question correctly to complete this chapter.

Which explanation correctly describes run-on sentence?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Independent clauses joined without adequate punctuation/conjunction.
Which explanation correctly describes fused sentence?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Independent clauses joined with no punctuation.
Which explanation correctly describes comma splice?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Independent clauses joined only by a comma.
Which explanation correctly describes coordination repair?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Joining clauses with comma plus coordinating conjunction.
Which explanation correctly describes subordination repair?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Making one idea dependent to show its relationship.

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Run-on Sentences | Grammar Lesson | Subha Prasad