1. Focus on Writing: Chapter 20
Run-Ons

2. Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that expresses complete thought.
Every sentence minimally includes:
Subject
Verb
Complete thought
3. Recognizing Run-Ons
A run-on is an error that occurs when two sentences are joined incorrectly.
Two types:
Fused sentence: two sentences joined without any punctuation.
Comma Splice: two sentences joined with just a comma.
John is enrolled.
John is enrolled Susan studied hard.
Susan studied hard.
John is enrolled, Susan studied hard.
4. Recognizing Run-Ons
The length of a sentence has nothing to do with whether or not a sentence is considered a run-on. An over-exuberant, run-off-at-the-mouth, 400-word gorilla of a sentence can be structurally fine. A run-on sentence is one in which two clauses have been connected incorrectly.
5. Avoiding Run-On Sentences
Lets think of an independent clause as an independently operated train headed west . . .
getting connected to another train headed east.
Nothing but grief will result from coupling these train clauses incorrectly!For example. . . .
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night, they are probably wrong.
6. Avoiding Run-On Sentences
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night, they are probably wrong.
This is an example of the dreaded COMMA SPLICE!
A comma splice connects two independent clauses with only a comma.
There are several ways to fix a comma splice. . . .
7. Repairing Run-On Sentences
1. We can insert a period and start a new sentence.
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night. They are probably wrong.
2. We can insert a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night, butthey are probably wrong.
3. We can use a semicolon.
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night;they are probably wrong.
4. We can insert a semicolon, a transitional word or phrase, and a comma.
Some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night; however,they are probably wrong.
5. We can use dependent word.
Although some students think they can study for an important exam by cramming all night,they are probably wrong.
8. Repairing Run-On Sentences
Run-On Traps: There are three situations in which run-on sentences are apt to happen:
When a pronoun in the second clause refers to a noun in the first clause:The Presidents popularity has plummeted, she apparently underestimated the opposition.
2. When a suggestion or directive occurs in the second clause:You will be responsible for this material on the final exam, study it thoroughly now.
3. When two clauses are connected by a transitional expression:Many people think protectionism can halt rising prices, however, the opposite is actually true.
9. Repairing Run-On Sentences
Run-On Traps: Fixing the traps from the last slide.
1.The Presidents popularity has plummeted, and sheapparently underestimated the opposition.
2.You will be responsible for this material on the final exam. Study it thoroughly now.
3.Many people think protectionism can halt rising prices; however, the opposite is actually true.
10. Coordinating Conjunctions
Easy to remember by FANBOYS
To join two independent clauses, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction
John is enrolled, but Susan studied hard.
11. Semicolons
Another way to create a compound sentence.
Simply place the semicolon between the two independent clauses
Make sure the clauses are related; otherwise, the sentence will not make sense
Do not capitalize after the semicolon
Semicolons can also be used followed by a transitional word or phrase
John is enrolled; classes start Tuesday.
12. Transitional Words and Phrases
Simply place a semicolon before the transitional word or phrase and a comma after it
John is enrolled; after all, classes start Tuesday.
13. Dependent Words
Join two independent clauses by adding a dependent word.
John is enrolled because classes start Tuesday.
14. 1. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
A) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors, their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
B) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors their visitors were not able to sit. In many of those chairs.
C) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors. Their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
D) none of the above
15. 1. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
ANSWER:
A) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors, their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
B) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors their visitors were not able to sit. In many of those chairs.
C) Each person in Bernards office had a chair next to his or her desk for visitors. Their visitors were not able to sit in many of those chairs.
D) none of the above
16. 2. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
A) The reason was very simple, most people. Stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
B) The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff. On their chairs.
C) The reason was very simple. Most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
D) none of the above
17. 2. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
ANSWER:
A) The reason was very simple, most people. Stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
B) The reason was very simple, most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff. On their chairs.
C) The reason was very simple. Most people stacked books, papers, and other stuff on their chairs.
D) none of the above
18. 3. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Bernard wanted to break this habit after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
A) Bernard wanted to break this habit, after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
B) Bernard wanted to break this habit after all; why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
C) Bernard wanted to break this habit; after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
D) none of the above
19. 3. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Bernard wanted to break this habit after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
ANSWER:
A) Bernard wanted to break this habit, after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
B) Bernard wanted to break this habit after all; why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
C) Bernard wanted to break this habit; after all, why couldnt a chair be used as a chair?
D) none of the above
20. 4. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
A) To his astonishment; everyone Bernard asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
B) To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed; they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
C) To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed they said; they would clear everything off their chairs.
D) none of the above
21. 4. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
ANSWER:
A) To his astonishment; everyone Bernard asked agreed they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
B) To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed; they said they would clear everything off their chairs.
C) To his astonishment, everyone Bernard asked agreed they said; they would clear everything off their chairs.
D) none of the above
22. 5. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Bernards accomplishment was short-lived it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
A) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived, and it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
B) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived it wasnt long, and before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
C) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived, or it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
D) none of the above
23. 5. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Bernards accomplishment was short-lived it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
ANSWER:
A) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived, and it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
B) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived it wasnt long, and before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
C) Bernards accomplishment was short-lived, or it wasnt long before each of those chairs began to develop a fresh pile of books all over again.
D) none of the above
24. 6. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone that nonstop barking was intolerable.
A) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, that nonstop barking was intolerable.
B) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, even though that nonstop barking was intolerable.
C) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, and that nonstop barking was intolerable.
D) none of the above
25. 6. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone that nonstop barking was intolerable.
ANSWER:
A) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, that nonstop barking was intolerable.
B) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, even though that nonstop barking was intolerable.
C) Having a dog in the neighborhood probably makes it safer for everyone, and that nonstop barking was intolerable.
D) none of the above
26. 7. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Anthony was careful with money, his friends werent always so financially savvy.
A) Anthony was careful with money, and his friends werent always so financially savvy.
B) Though Anthony was careful with money, his friends werent always so financially savvy.
C) Anthony was careful with money, so his friends werent always so financially savvy.
D) none of the above
27. 7. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Anthony was careful with money, his friends werent always so financially savvy.
ANSWER:
A) Anthony was careful with money, and his friends werent always so financially savvy.
B) Though Anthony was careful with money, his friends werent always so financially savvy.
C) Anthony was careful with money, so his friends werent always so financially savvy.
D) none of the above
28. 8. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
A) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed, this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
B) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, and Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
C) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
D) none of the above
29. 8. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
ANSWER:
A) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, Anthony assumed, this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
B) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan, and Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
C) Jeffrey always seemed to be asking someone for a loan Anthony assumed this didnt embarrass Jeffrey.
D) none of the above
30. 9. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony, he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
A) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it; even after his work promotion fell through.
B) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
C) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony; he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
D) none of the above
31. 9. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony, he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
ANSWER:
A) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it; even after his work promotion fell through.
B) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
C) However, Jeffrey always repaid the money he borrowed from Anthony; he repaid it even after his work promotion fell through.
D) none of the above
32. 10. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
A) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, or he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
B) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras. Fine clothes, and designer shoes.
C) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck. He liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
D) none of the above
33. 10. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
ANSWER:
A) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, or he liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
B) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck, he liked to buy things like expensive cameras. Fine clothes, and designer shoes.
C) Nearly every week, Lenny spent nearly his whole paycheck. He liked to buy things like expensive cameras, fine clothes, and designer shoes.
D) none of the above
34. 11. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money, one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
A) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money though one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
B) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
C) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money; one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
D) none of the above
35. 11. Choose the answer that corrects this error:
As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money, one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
ANSWER:
A) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money though one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
B) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
C) As for himself, Anthony had a few tricks he had learned for saving money; one of them was throwing all of his small change into a jar.
D) none of the above