Run-on Sentences Parallelism

-A run-on sentence in English, also known as a

fused sentence, occurs when two sentences are Parallelism in grammar is the use of similar
joined together without being punctuated properly. grammatical structures to express related ideas. It
helps create a sense of balance and clarity in
-A run-on sentence is a grammatical error that writing.
occurs when two independent clauses are
connected improperly, leading to confusion in Think of it as a rhythm in your writing, where
writing. ideas flow smoothly and logically by following a
consistent pattern.
Why is it a Problem?
Importance of Parallelism
-Run-on sentences can be confusing and difficult
to read, making it hard for the reader to 1. Clarity
understand the intended message. They can also Parallel structure helps readers easily understand
make the writer appear careless or unprofessional. the relationship between ideas, making writing
more readable and understandable.

Way on How to fix run-on sentences? 2. Emphasis

It emphasizes the significance of each element in a
You could use a semicolon: list or comparison, making your writing more
impactful.
My favorite Mediterranean
spread is hummus; it is very garlicky. 3. Flow
Creates a natural and pleasant rhythm, making
You could use a comma and a coordinating your writing flow smoothly and engagingly.
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so):
My favorite Mediterranean Parallel Structures: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives
spread is hummus, for it is very garlicky. -OR-
My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, NOUN:
and it is very garlicky. Use parallel nouns: The house, the car, and the
boat were all damaged.
You could use a subordinating conjunction (see
above): VERB:
My favorite Mediterranean spread Use parallel verbs: He likes to read, write, and
is hummus because it is very garlicky. -OR- play.
Because it is so garlicky, my favorite
Mediterranean spread is hummus. ADJECTIVE:
Use parallel adjectives: The dog was small,
You could make it into two separate sentences brown, and fluffy.
with a period in between:
My favorite Mediterranean spread Parallelism with Coordinating Conjunctions
is hummus. It is very garlicky.
(and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
You could use an em-dash (a long dash) for Use parallel structures after these conjunctions:
emphasis
My favorite Mediterranean spread She likes to sing and dance.
is hummus-it is very garlicky.
Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions
You CANNOT simply add a comma between
the two sentences, or you’ll end up with what’s 1. both...and
called a “comma splice.” Here’s an example of Both the teacher and the student were excited.
a comma splice:
. My favorite Mediterranean spread 2. Not only…but also
is hummus, it is very garlicky. Not only did she sing, but also she danced.
3. either...or 3. After the girls stepped onto the field, the girls’
You can choose either the red or the blue shirt. expressions change suddenly.

4. neither...nor Example: While jogging in the park, a squirrel

Neither the dog nor the cat wanted to go outside. ran across the path.
Possible Revision: While jogging in the park,
Sarah saw a squirrel run across the path.
Modifier
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that
modifies and gives information about another Strategies for Revising Dangling Modifier
word in the same sentence.
1. Name the appropriate or logical doer of the
Misplaced modifiers action as the subject of the main clause.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or 2. Name the doer of the action in the phrase that
clause that is improperly separated from the word dangles.
it modifies / describes. 3. Combine the phrase and main clause into one.

1. Name the appropriate or logical doer of the

Example: action as the subject of the main clause.
 Dangling Modifier: Having arrived late for
1. I ate cereal with chocolate milk in my practice, a written excuse was needed.
pajamas.  Possible revision: Having arrived late for
2. The teacher caught the student cheating practice, the captain of the team needed a
with the principal on a test. written excuse.
3. Dalgo discovered an ancient Mayan
civilization using astronavigation. 2. Name the doer of the action in the phrase
that dangles.
Dangling Modifier  Dangling Modifier: Without knowing his
 A grammar mistake also known as a "hanging name, it was difficult to introduce him.
modifier," "floating modifier," or "dangling  Possible Revision: Because Maria did not
participle." know his name, it was difficult to introduce
 A dangling modifier is a modifier that has him.
nothing to modify.
 A dangling modifier is an error caused by 3. Combine the phrase and main clause into
failing to use the word that the modifier is one.
meant to be modifying.  Dangling Modifier: To improve his results,
the experiment was done again.
Example:  Possible Revision: He improved his results by
1. After studying all night, the test was still doing the experiment again.
difficult.
2. Walking through the park, the flowers looked  Dangling Modifier: After reading the novel,
beautiful. the movie seemed boring.
3. Stepping onto the fields, expressions changed  Possible Revision: the movie seemed boring
suddenly. after I read the novel.

Fixing Dangling Modifier What are context clues?

- Context clues are pieces of information
1. Identify the subject. from the text that help us figure out the
2. Add the subject close to the modifier. meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Context clues essentially let you learn
new words without outside assistance.
Possible revision: - Context clues are quite useful in reading
1. Stepping onto the fields, THE GIRLS comprehension because they help you
expressions changed suddenly. define tricky words in English.
2.
There are common types of Context Clues: - They often start with phrases like ‘such
1. Inference as,’ ‘for example,’ or ‘including.’
2. Definition
3. Example
4. Antonym
5. Synonym For example: “Acrid odors, such as bug spray,
gasoline, and smoke, make me nauseous and
1. INFERENCE CONTEXT CLUES gives me a headache.”
- These type of context clues require
students to merge information from the Example: “Piscatorial creatures, such as
text with prior knowledge to determine salmon, trout, and flounder live in the deepest
the meaning of an unfamiliar word. parts of the ocean.”

For example: “Once the screeching car came ANTONYM CONTEXT CLUES
to a halt, the acrid smell of burning rubber - Antonym context clues rely on the
soon made our eyes water.” presence of a word or phrase that has the
opposite meaning of the unfamiliar word.
For example: “My dad drinks a cup of joe
every morning to help him wake up. He adds a For example: “Unlike the garrulous Karen,
little cream and half a teaspoon of sugar.” who talks incessantly, Mark is quiet and
reserved.”
Example: “Given the number of webs, it was
clear the barn was infested with arachnids.” - Look for certain cue words like but,
however, although, or other phrases that
2. DEFINITION CONTEXT CLUES suggest a contradiction or contrast.
- This type of clue is when the meaning of For example: “Mika seemed genial at first,
the word is directly stated in the text. but when we started discussing politics she
became hostile and even rude.”
For example: “A philanthropist, someone
who seeks to promote the welfare of others, For example: “The feral cat would not let us
donated a large sum of money to the hospital.” pet him, unlike our friendly cat.”

- Sometimes the author will add very

specific words to tell us an explanation is SYNONYM CONTEXT CLUES
upcoming. - This type of context clue includes words
- These can include phrases like “which with the same meaning.
means” or “that is” or “in other
words.” For example: “The trail was arduous, or
extremely difficult, winding up the steep
Example: “The mechanic needs to replace the mountain,”
entire exhaust manifold, which is a series of - Look for signal words like ‘and’ ‘or,’
pipes that combines exhaust from different ‘that is,’ or ‘in other words.’
places into one pipe.”
For example: “The new girl was aloof. She
Example: “This Saturday, let’s visit the seemed uninterested and unsociable.”
arboretum, a garden that is entirely dedicated
to the exhibition of plants and trees.” For example: “His answer was ambiguous,
or unclear, leading to confusion.”

3. EXAMPLE CONTEXT CLUES

- This type of context clue includes an
example (or examples) of a word’s
meaning.
For example: “The sun, stars, and the moon
are celestial bodies.”