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English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-onsSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC1
Session 5: Run-onsPart A: Diagnostic Test
Identify and underline the run-on sentences in the following passage. Then,correct the sentence errors in the space between the lines.
Time is fair to everyone. No matter whether you are rich or poor, old or young,you can only have 24 hours a day, the same for everyone in the world. You need moretime to do your work you cannot just go to a store and purchase “time” like anyconsumable goods. Once your days or opportunities have gone, you will never be ableto use money to buy them back. You may regret wasting your days during youth ormissing some valuable opportunities in the past, however, there is no way for you totravel back to the past or go to the future to change your fate even if you are abillionaire. There is nothing you can do about it, in addition, we will all die one day. Itis a natural course that everyone has to go through. Again, no tycoons can use moneyto buy more time for their lives no individuals can do anything either. In the ancienttime of China, many emperors tried very hard to find a way to prolong their lives.They sent soldiers to go everywhere to search for such a medicine or ordered doctorsto produce a desirable prescription, they would not give up any hope of finding asolution of this. However, no matter how hard they tried, all their efforts proved to befutile.
 
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-onsSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC2
Part B: Grammatical Sentences – ReviewRun-on Sentences
 
Fused sentences: 
Two sentences joined together as one without a properconjunction or punctuation.
 Example
:
Girls like playing dolls boys like playing toy cars.
 
Correction
:
Girls like playing dolls; boys like playing to cars.
(A period “.” canalso be used here for correction.)
 
Comma-splice: 
 
Two sentences joined together as one with only a comma.
  Example
:
It will rain soon, we better bring an umbrella.Correction
:
 It will rain soon, so we better bring an umbrella.
(A coordinatingconjunction “so” is used for correction.)
Correction
:
 As it will rain soon, we better bring an umbrella.
(A subordinatingconjunction “as” is used for correction.)
Combining Sentences
 
Compound Sentences: 
 
A compound sentence structure shows that twothoughts are of equal importance and connected by linking words (coordinatingconjunctions) like
for, and, nor, or, but, yet, so
.
 
 Example
:
 He likes to eat, but he never gains weight.
 
 
Complex Sentences: 
 
A complex sentence has an independent clause and adependent clause joined by a subordinating conjunction like
because, if, when,before, after, although.
 
 Example
:
When she finished her homework, she turned on the TV.
 
 Example: As it’s raining, we had better stay at home.
 
Clauses inthesentenceConnected by Importance of thoughts for clausesSimple sentences
1 N/A N/A
Complex sentences
 
2 (or more) Coordinating conjunctions(
 for, and, nor but, or, yet,so)
Equally important
Complex sentences
2 (or more) Subordinatingconjunctions (
because,when, after, before,although)
The independentclause is moreimportant
 
English for Academic Studies (Workshop) Session 5: Run-onsSemester 1, 2009/10 ©PolyU HKCC3
Part C: Concept Boosting Exercises
Exercise C1:
 
Identify and underline the run-on sentences in the followingpassage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between the lines.
Environmental issues began to make headlines in the last decade as people havebecome aware of the negative effects caused by technological advancements. Mostpeople are no longer ignorant of the need to protect the environment, only a few areactually prepared to do something about it. The current plight of our earth is anaccumulation of negligence by our past generations. We now all have theresponsibility to protect the planet, for example, we can hold exhibitions to alert thepublic of the seriousness of the environmental problems. Also, we should take actionsby ourselves.In Hong Kong, many people like to use air conditioners in summer this cancertainly bring us coolness and comfort in hot summer days. However,non-discriminatory use of air conditioners is part of the causes for global warming.We should be more responsible and use air conditioners only when necessary, also wecan bring our own plastic bags when shopping. Since plastic is a not a biodegradablematerial, we should reduce its use as much as possible.
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