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Avoiding Run-on Sentences

Avoiding Run-on Sentences. CLAUSES. A CLAUSE IS A GROUP OF WORDS WITH A SUBJECT AND A VERB. AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE CAN STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE . A DEPENDENT CLAUSE CANNOT STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE.

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Avoiding Run-on Sentences

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  1. Avoiding Run-on Sentences

  2. CLAUSES • A CLAUSE IS A GROUP OF WORDS WITH A SUBJECT AND A VERB. • AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE CAN STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE. • A DEPENDENT CLAUSE CANNOT STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE. • EVERY SENTENCE MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE; OTHERWISE, THE RESULT IS A SENTENCE FRAGMENT.

  3. Avoiding Run-on Sentences 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. (If you’d like, click on the word “clauses” to review that concept.)

  4. Avoiding Run-on Sentences Let’s 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.

  5. 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. . . .

  6. Avoiding 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.

  7. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS, ALONG WITH A COMMA, CAN JOIN INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. Do not start a sentence with the words below. • AND, BUT, • OR, NOR, • FOR, SO, YET **To avoid fragments, do not start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction

  8. Beware………… **To avoid fragments, do not start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction**

  9. Don’t commit a personal foul…the dreaded FRAGMENT • And no one will be admitted during the second act. • Or we can take the test early as well. • But the character does attempt to clear his wife’s name. • For the opening band is Lennie Kravitz • Nor will the movie start on time.

  10. Using coordinating conjunctions properly (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet): • A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains 1 independent clause • A COMPOUND SENTENCE contains 2 independent clauses • Be careful….coordinating conjunctions don’t always need a comma

  11. Let’s practice……. • Mary Lou told a tale about a male, AND she yelled to a girl wearing a string of pearls. • Notice how there is an independent clause on EACH SIDE OF THE CONJUNCTION. This is an example of a COMPOUND SENTENCE.

  12. OTHER EXAMPLES… • Everyone took his book to class and read for an hour. • The sentence above is an example of a SIMPLE SENTENCE (only 1 independent clause…all we have here is a compound verb. No independent clause on each side of the conjunction.

  13. Practice • Mrs. Koon and her three beagles hunted all day in the swamp and then she grilled rattlesnake for dinner. • Mrs. Koon and her best friend Beth shopped all day and ate dinner at Manzetti’s.

  14. SIMPLE OR COMPOUND? • Until the rain falls, we will have to water lawns less often and conserve other resources. • Last night Mr. Blake left a message and he reminded us of our late start day.

  15. SIMPLE OR COMPOUND? PUNCTUATE ACCORDINGLY • You can take the test early or make it up after school. • I will gladly help you with the paper but I will not correct your errors for you. • Alicia gave me her money but did not take her receipt. • Leroy wrote me a love letter but he forgot to sign his name.

  16. Conjunctive Adverbs, along with proper punctuation, can also join two independent clauses • KNOW THESE CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS: • Therefore, consequently, moreover, • However, besides, thus, furthermore, • As a result, for example, for instance, • Hence, still, nevertheless

  17. These words/phrases must be incorporated into your writing. They provide clear transitions, which help you to avoid “choppiness” between ideas • Therefore, consequently, moreover, • However, besides, thus, furthermore, • As a result, for example, for instance, • Hence, still, nevertheless

  18. When using conjunctive adverbs, punctuate accordingly: • We waited until the last minute to do our homework; therefore, we lost much sleep. • Huck and Jim have more in common than we realize; for example, both are desperately seeking freedom from society. • He was absent; as a result, he missed the test. • The storm came during the night; however, we were still prepared to take cover.

  19. BUT……be careful…… • Sometimes conjunctive adverbs like HOWEVER and THEREFORE will simply interrupt one independent clause. When that is the case, punctuate accordingly: • I will, however, give a speech later today. • However, no one will see us if we are quiet. • You can, therefore, take the test early.

  20. Avoiding Run-on Sentences Three Run-on Traps There are three situations in which run-on sentences are apt to happen: 1. When a pronoun in the second clause refers to a noun in the first clause:The President’s 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.

  21. Avoiding Run-on Sentences Freeing Trapped Run-ons 1.The President’s 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.

  22. Avoiding Run-on Sentences Now you’ll never again write a run-on sentence!

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