Topic 1: Spotting a Run-on Sentence
Run-on sentences are made up of two independent clauses that have been connected incorrectly. But what makes a clause independent?
An independent clause is a complete thought. It should contain a subject and a verb. In some instances, the verb will also require an object.
- Subject: Who and what the sentence is referring to. This is usually a noun or a pronoun.
- Noun: a person, place, thing, or idea.
- Pronoun: Substitutes for nouns – he, she, it, I, you.
- Verb: What the subject of the sentence does or is. This can be an action verb or non-action verb.
- Action verbs: Jump, shout, run, dance.
- Non-action verbs: is, are, was, were, am.
- Object: A person or thing affected by the action of the verb.