The

1
The run-on sentence
In the mind of a new writer, two sentences crash
together
Billy was sleepy.
Boom!
He went to bed.
2
Billy was sleepy he went to bed

• Now instead of two normal sentences, there is
  only one incorrect sentence.
• Having lost a period and a capital letter, the
  two sentences have become a
• dreaded, dangerous Run-On!!!

3
Billy was sleepy. He went to bed.

• This must not be! Run-On sentences are not
  allowed!
• But how do we correct it? There are 4 ways
• The first one is to change it back to two simple
  sentences like it was before

4
Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed.

• The second way involves the use of a comma and
  the joining word so.

5
Billy was sleepy he went to bed.

• The third way is to use a semi-colon instead of a
  comma, which does away with having to use the
  joining word (coordinating conjunction) at all.
  Slick, huh?

The Super Comma
6
Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.

• The fourth way is by using a dependent word
  (subordinating conjunction) and a comma

7
Well, students, there you have it

• Remember, Run-On sentences are major no-nos and
  must be avoided, so you can
• Keep two simple sentences OR
• Use a comma and a joining word OR
• Use a semi-colon without a conjunction OR
• Use a dependent word and a comma.

1. Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.
2. Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed.
3. Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.
4. Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.