Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

RUN-ON SENTENCES and COMMA SPLICES

A run-on sentence is when two independent clauses run together as one sentence without being separated by punctuation.
A comma splice is the unjustifiable use of only a comma to combine what really should be two separate sentences.
Run-on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch we were starving.
Comma splice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch, we were starving
There are four ways to correct a run-on sentence.
Add a period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch. We were starving.
Add a semicolon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch; we were starving.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction* . . . . We stopped for lunch, because we were starving.
Use a subordinating conjunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Since we were starving, we stopped for lunch.
* Coordinate Conjunction FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

After each run-on sentence below select the remedy that would best repair that sentence.
1. Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
a. This sentence is correct
b. life, she
c. life; she
2. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if it doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
a. This sentence is correct
b. snow, and
c. snow; and
3. Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always depend on.
a. This sentence is correct
b. woods; this
c. woods, this
4. Having prepared himself well for the realtor exams and having exhausted everyone in the family with his requests that
someone help him with the true-and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had never been a particularly good student in high
school, knew he was ready to take on the greatest challenge of his life.
a. This sentence is correct
b. drills; Jeffrey
c. drills, and Jeffrey
5. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person all power rested in one ruler.
a. This sentence is correct
b. person, all
c. person; all
6. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money their backing encouraged public faith in the
money.
a. This sentence is correct
b. money. Their
c. money, their
7. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money intensified its allure.
a. This sentence is correct
b. divine, so
c. divine; so

RUN-ON SENTENCES
DIRECTIONS: Each of the following is a run-on sentence. Select the option that corrects the run-on.
8. Our solar system has nine major planets only one is known to have intelligent life.
a. Our solar system has nine major planets, only one is known to have intelligent life.
b. Our solar system has nine major planets only one, is known to have intelligent life.
c. Our solar system has nine major planets; only one is known to have intelligent life.
9. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore they are dim and hard to see.
a. Most asteroids are small and far away, therefore they are dim and hard to see.
b. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore, they are dim and hard to see.
c. Most asteroids are small and far away; therefore, they are dim and hard to see.
10. Look through Angelo's telescope you can see Saturn's rings.
a. If you look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
b. Look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
c. You can see Saturn's rings, look through Angelo's telescope.
11. Please check the position of that star cluster I can't find it.
a. Please check the position of that star cluster; I can't find it.
b. Please check the position of that star cluster, I can't find it.
c. Please check the position, of that star cluster, I can't find it.
12. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter however on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
a. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter, however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
b. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter. However, on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
c. Marie is never interested in stargazing, during the winter however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
13. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky it is actually a huge galaxy containing millions
of stars.
a. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky, it is actually a huge galaxy containing
millions of stars.
b. The cloud-like Milky Way stretching across the night sky is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.
c. Although the Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky. It is actually a huge galaxy
containing millions of stars.
14. Watch the sky closely for several minutes you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
a. Watch the sky closely for several minutes; you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
b. Watch the sky closely for several minutes, you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
c. If you watch the sky closely for several minutes. You are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
15. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
a. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
b. Pretending to be interested in her brother's hobby, Louisa secretly wished she had stayed at home.
c. Louisa pretended to be interested, in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
16. Some club members were late for the meeting for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
a. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
b. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
c. Some club members were late for the meeting; for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

17. We've seen enough for one night pack up the equipment.
a. We've seen enough for one night; pack up the equipment.
b. Pack up the equipment, we've seen enough for one night.
18. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter most pitchers don't want to face him.
a. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter, most pitchers don't want to face him.
b. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter. Most pitchers don't want to face him.
c. Jose Canseco is such a feared batter. That most pitchers don't want to face him.
19. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy to see him in the line-up.
a. Most Red Sox fans like him; they're happy to see him in the line-up.
b. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy, to see him in the line-up.
c. Most Red Sox fans like him, they're happy to see him in the line-up.
20. They like to see him step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
a. They like to see him step up to bat. He looks bigger than life.
b. They like to see him step up to bat, he looks bigger than life.
c. They like to see him, step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
21. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield for example he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
a. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example, he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
b. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
c. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield; for example he's been known to drop easy fl-balls.
22. His salary is enormous however most fans think he's worth it.
a. His salary is enormous; however, most fans think he's worth it.
b. His salary is enormous, however most fans think he's worth it.
c. His salary is enormous, however, most fans think he's worth it.
23. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
a. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, and his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
b. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
c. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior, is often scandalous.
24. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
a. Nowadays; he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
b. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community, moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
c. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community; moreover, he gives tickets to sick kids.
25. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn that's quite a combination!
a. Canseco bats right behind, Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
b. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
c. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn. That's quite a combination!
26. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn Canseco is there waiting.
a. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco is there waiting.
b. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn. Canseco is there waiting.
c. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco, is there waiting.
27. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore I think they should keep him.
a. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting; therefore, I think they should keep him.
b. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore, I think they should keep him.
c. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting therefore I think they should keep him.

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________

RUN-ON SENTENCES and COMMA SPLICES (ANSWER KEY)

A run-on sentence is when two independent clauses run together as one sentence without being separated by punctuation.
A comma splice is the unjustifiable use of only a comma to combine what really should be two separate sentences.
Run-on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch we were starving.
Comma splice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch, we were starving
There are four ways to correct a run-on sentence.
Add a period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch. We were starving.
Add a semicolon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We stopped for lunch; we were starving.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction* . . . . We stopped for lunch, because we were starving.
Use a subordinating conjunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Since we were starving, we stopped for lunch.
* Coordinate Conjunction FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

After each run-on sentence below select the remedy that would best repair that sentence.
1. Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
a. This sentence is correct
b. life, she
c. life; she
2. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if it doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
a. This sentence is correct
b. snow, and
c. snow; and
3. Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always depend on.
a. This sentence is correct
b. woods; this
c. woods, this
4. Having prepared himself well for the realtor exams and having exhausted everyone in the family with his requests that
someone help him with the true-and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had never been a particularly good student in high
school, knew he was ready to take on the greatest challenge of his life.
a. This sentence is correct
b. drills; Jeffrey
c. drills, and Jeffrey
5. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person all power rested in one ruler.
a. This sentence is correct
b. person, all
c. person; all
6. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money their backing encouraged public faith in the
money.
a. This sentence is correct
b. money. Their
c. money, their
7. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money intensified its allure.
a. This sentence is correct
b. divine, so
c. divine; so

RUN-ON SENTENCES
DIRECTIONS: Each of the following is a run-on sentence. Select the option that corrects the run-on.
8. Our solar system has nine major planets only one is known to have intelligent life.
a. Our solar system has nine major planets, only one is known to have intelligent life.
b. Our solar system has nine major planets only one, is known to have intelligent life.
c. Our solar system has nine major planets; only one is known to have intelligent life.
9. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore they are dim and hard to see.
a. Most asteroids are small and far away, therefore they are dim and hard to see.
b. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore, they are dim and hard to see.
c. Most asteroids are small and far away; therefore, they are dim and hard to see.
10. Look through Angelo's telescope you can see Saturn's rings.
a. If you look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
b. Look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
c. You can see Saturn's rings, look through Angelo's telescope.
11. Please check the position of that star cluster I can't find it.
a. Please check the position of that star cluster; I can't find it.
b. Please check the position of that star cluster, I can't find it.
c. Please check the position, of that star cluster, I can't find it.
12. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter however on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
a. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter, however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
b. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter. However, on warm summer nights she often goes
to the college observatory.
c. Marie is never interested in stargazing, during the winter however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the
college observatory.
13. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky it is actually a huge galaxy containing millions
of stars.
a. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky, it is actually a huge galaxy containing
millions of stars.
b. The cloud-like Milky Way stretching across the night sky is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.
c. Although the Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky. It is actually a huge galaxy
containing millions of stars.
14. Watch the sky closely for several minutes you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
a. Watch the sky closely for several minutes; you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
b. Watch the sky closely for several minutes, you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
c. If you watch the sky closely for several minutes. You are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
15. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
a. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
b. Pretending to be interested in her brother's hobby, Louisa secretly wished she had stayed at home.
c. Louisa pretended to be interested, in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had stayed at home.
16. Some club members were late for the meeting for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
a. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
b. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
c. Some club members were late for the meeting; for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

17. We've seen enough for one night pack up the equipment.
a. We've seen enough for one night; pack up the equipment.
b. Pack up the equipment, we've seen enough for one night.
18. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter most pitchers don't want to face him.
a. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter, most pitchers don't want to face him.
b. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter. Most pitchers don't want to face him.
c. Jose Canseco is such a feared batter. That most pitchers don't want to face him.
19. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy to see him in the line-up.
a. Most Red Sox fans like him; they're happy to see him in the line-up.
b. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy, to see him in the line-up.
c. Most Red Sox fans like him, they're happy to see him in the line-up.
20. They like to see him step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
a. They like to see him step up to bat. He looks bigger than life.
b. They like to see him step up to bat, he looks bigger than life.
c. They like to see him, step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
21. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield for example he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
a. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example, he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
b. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example he's been known to drop easy fly-balls.
c. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield; for example he's been known to drop easy fl-balls.
22. His salary is enormous however most fans think he's worth it.
a. His salary is enormous; however, most fans think he's worth it.
b. His salary is enormous, however most fans think he's worth it.
c. His salary is enormous, however, most fans think he's worth it.
23. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
a. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, and his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
b. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
c. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior, is often scandalous.
24. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
a. Nowadays; he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
b. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community, moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
c. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community; moreover, he gives tickets to sick kids.
25. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn that's quite a combination!
a. Canseco bats right behind, Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
b. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
c. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn. That's quite a combination!
26. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn Canseco is there waiting.
a. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco is there waiting.
b. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn. Canseco is there waiting.
c. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco, is there waiting.
27. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore I think they should keep him.
a. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting; therefore, I think they should keep him.
b. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore, I think they should keep him.
c. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting therefore I think they should keep him.