The ESL HELP! Desk

Below, incorrect punctuation has created run-ons:

PROBLEM #1

What's the problem in this student's sentence below?

Problem:  He was William Taft he was 6 feet 4 inches tall.

Below, incorrect punctuation has created run-ons:

Solution #1: Create two separate simple sentences:

⇒  He was William Taft.  He was 6 feet 4 inches tall.

Solution #2: Create one compound sentence that connects the two simple sentences with the coordinator, and.

⇒  He was William Taft and he was 6 feet 4 inches tall.

Solution #3: Create one sentence which consists of two independent but related clauses.  The first part will be punctuated with a semi-colon, and the second part will continue in the same sentence and end with a period.

⇒   He was William Taft; he was 6 feet 4 inches tall.

PROBLEM #2

Problem:  Life is not fair, some struggle and others don't.

Below, incorrect punctuation has created run-ons:

Solution #1: Create three separate simple sentences.

⇒ Life is not fair.  Some struggle.  Others don't.


Solution #2: Create two separate sentences.  The first one will be a simple sentence and the second one will be a compound sentence.

⇒Life is not fair.  Some struggle and others don't.

Solution #3: Create one sentence which consists of two independent but related clauses.  The first part will be punctuated with a semi-colon, and the second part will continue in the same sentence and end with a period.

⇒Life is not fair; some struggle while others don't.

Solution #4:  Create one complex sentence which consists of a main (independent) clause, and a subordinate (dependent) clause.  You can use the subordinator because to begin the subordinate clause.Life is not fair because some struggle while others don't.

⇒ Life is not fair because some struggle while others don't.