John's ESL Community: Printable worksheets

Complete Sentence or Run-on?

Name _____	Date____
Write YES next to the group of words below if they are a complete sentence, and NO if they are a run-on. Yes She always plans her time, at least a few days at a time. No First turn on the power, then turn on the screen. No This VCR is new, it sometimes confuses me. Yes As soon as she called, I came to meet you. No Starting is the hardest part, many people wait until the last minute. No Mr. Wilson has left the party, however, he will return shortly. No In the 'Wizard of Oz,' the Tin Man wanted a heart, the Scarecrow wanted a brain. Yes A tornado is the smallest of destructive storms. Yes We were lost and couldn't find our classroom. Yes I would if I could, but I can't so I won't.
Explanations
2. This sentence is a run-on sentence. To correct it add a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb "then" and move the comma after the conjunctive adverb. 'First turn on the power; then, turn on the screen.' 3. This is a type of run-on sentence known as a comma splice. The easiest way to correct this sentence is to add a coordinating conjunction. Since there is a cause and effect relationship between the two independent clauses, the best coordinating conjunction to use is 'so.' The correct sentence is: 'This VCR is new, so it sometimes confuses me.' 5. This is a type of run-on sentence known as a comma splice. To correct this sentence insert a coordinating conjunction after the comma. 'Starting is the hardest part, so many people wait until the last minute.' 6. This is a run-on known as a conjunctive start. Since 'however' is a conjunctive adverb, a semicolon is needed after the first clause. 'Mr. Wilson has left the party; however, he will return shortly.' 7. This is a run-on caused by a comma splice. To correct this run-on, insert the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma. 'In the 'Wizard of Oz, the Tin man wanted a heart, and the Scarecrow wanted a brain.'

Name _____

Date____

Write YES next to the group of words below if they are a complete sentence, and NO if they are a run-on.

Yes She always plans her time, at least a few days at a time.

No First turn on the power, then turn on the screen.

No This VCR is new, it sometimes confuses me.

Yes As soon as she called, I came to meet you.

No Starting is the hardest part, many people wait until the last minute.

No Mr. Wilson has left the party, however, he will return shortly.

No In the 'Wizard of Oz,' the Tin Man wanted a heart, the Scarecrow wanted a brain.

Yes A tornado is the smallest of destructive storms.

Yes We were lost and couldn't find our classroom.

Yes I would if I could, but I can't so I won't.

Explanations

2. This sentence is a run-on sentence. To correct it add a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb "then" and move the comma after the conjunctive adverb. 'First turn on the power; then, turn on the screen.'

3. This is a type of run-on sentence known as a comma splice. The easiest way to correct this sentence is to add a coordinating conjunction. Since there is a cause and effect relationship between the two independent clauses, the best coordinating conjunction to use is 'so.' The correct sentence is: 'This VCR is new, so it sometimes confuses me.'

5. This is a type of run-on sentence known as a comma splice. To correct this sentence insert a coordinating conjunction after the comma. 'Starting is the hardest part, so many people wait until the last minute.'

6. This is a run-on known as a conjunctive start. Since 'however' is a conjunctive adverb, a semicolon is needed after the first clause. 'Mr. Wilson has left the party; however, he will return shortly.'

7. This is a run-on caused by a comma splice. To correct this run-on, insert the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma. 'In the 'Wizard of Oz, the Tin man wanted a heart, and the Scarecrow wanted a brain.'

Worksheet provided by John's ESL Community
http://www.johnsesl.com