Run-On Sentences - 6th Grade Grammar
Run-On Sentences
A run-on sentence results when two main or independent clauses are joined with no punctuation or coordinating conjunction.
A run-on sentence may be two main clauses separated by only a comma, two main clauses with no punctuation between them, or two main clauses with no comma before the coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
The bird flew to the bird feeder it ate all the seeds. (incorrect)
The bird flew to the bird feeder, and it ate all the seeds. (correct)
Comma Splices
The use of a comma in a run-on sentence that has two main clauses is called a comma splice.
Dominique went to school, she rode her bike there. (incorrect)
To correct a comma splice, replace the comma with a period and create two sentences.
Dominique went to school. She rode her bike there.
Correcting Run-on Sentences
- Correct a run-on sentence by dividing it into two sentences.
The bird flew to the bird feeder it ate all the seeds. (incorrect)
The bird flew to the bird feeder. It ate all the seeds. (correct) - Correct a run-on sentence by changing it into a compound sentence connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
The bird flew to the bird feeder it ate all the seeds. (incorrect)
The bird flew to the bird feeder, and it ate all the seeds. (correct) - Correct a run-on sentence by inserting a semicolon or a conjunction.
The bird flew to the bird feeder it ate all the seeds. (incorrect)
The bird flew to the bird feeder; it ate all the seeds. (correct)
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Run-On Sentences Activity
Read each sentence. If the sentence is correct, select correct on the line. If it is a run-on sentence, select run-on sentence.