Sentence Problems #3
SPI 0601.1.5 Identify the correct use of conjunctions (i.e., coordinating and
subordinating) and interjections within context.
SPI 0601.1.7 Identify within context a variety of appropriate sentencecombining techniques (i.e., comma used with coordinating conjunctions,
introductory words, appositives, interrupters).
SPI 0601.1.8 Select the most appropriate method to correct a run-on
sentence (i.e., conjunctions, semicolons, and periods to join or separate
elements).
SPI 0601.1.12 Identify the correct use of commas (i.e., compound
sentences, coordinating conjunctions, introductory words, appositives,
interrupters) within context.
Sentences
A sentence is a word or group of
words having a complete thought.
Sentences state, ask, command, or
exclaim something.
Sentences begin
with capital letters
and end with
punctuation marks.
Easy Grammar
 page
425 - Recognizing Sentences,
Fragments, and Run-ons
 page 427 - Recognizing Sentences,
Fragments, and Run-ons
Lesson 1
Sentence Problems
In this lesson you will learn how to recognize
three sentence problems:
choppy sentences
run-on sentences
stringy sentences
Sentence Problem 1
Choppy Sentences
Choppy sentences are sentences that
are too short. Study the next three
examples.
Choppy Sentences
 Choppy
Johnson County is located on the Eastern
Continental Divide. It is in the extreme
northeastern corner of the state. The state is
Tennessee.
 Corrected
Johnson County is located on the Eastern
Continental Divide in the extreme
northeastern corner of Tennessee.
Choppy Sentences
 Choppy
Johnson County is shaped like an ancient
arrowhead. It is pointing in a northeastern
direction. Johnson County borders two states.
Virginia is to the north. North Carolina is to the
east.
Choppy Sentences
 Corrected
Johnson County is shaped like an ancient
arrowhead pointing in a northeastern
direction. Virginia is to the north and North
Carolina is to the east of the county.
Choppy Sentences

Choppy
Mountain City is the county seat. It is located in the
center of the county. It is in a large valley. The valley
is between the Iron and Stone Mountain Ranges. The
Doe Mountain Range is to the southwest. The Dry
Run Range is also to the southwest. The Forge
Mountain Range is to the northeast.

Corrected
Mountain City is the county seat. It is located in the
center of the county in a large valley between the Iron
and Stone Mountain Ranges. The Doe and Dry Run
Ranges are to the southwest of Mountain City, and
the Forge Mountain Range is to the northeast.
Choppy Sentences
When several short sentences come
together they force the reader to go
slowly. This makes the writing seem
more "elementary" than it truly is.
Sentence Problem 2
Run-On Sentences
A run-on is when two or more sentences
are combined without connecting words or
punctuation.
Run-On Sentences
Brain Pop - Movie on run-on sentences
http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar
/runonsentences/
Run-On Sentence
You are looking at the side of our school
most commonly known as the Donnelly
Street side this portion of our school was
built in 1951.
Corrected by Making 2 Sentences
You are looking at the side of our school
most commonly known as the Donnelly
Street side. This portion of our school was
built in 1951.
Run-On Sentence
The county has 249,600 acres or 273
square miles of land the extreme
dimension of Johnson County is 24 miles.
Corrected by Adding a Conjunction
The county has 249,600 acres or 273
square miles of land, and the extreme
dimension of Johnson County is 24 miles.
Run-On Sentence
Johnson County has many springs and
creeks the five major streams include Doe,
Roan, Laurel Fork, Beaverdam, and
Forge.
Corrected by Making a Dependent
Clause
While Johnson County has many springs
and creeks; the five major streams include
Doe, Roan, Laurel Fork, Beaverdam, and
Forge.
Sentence Problem 3
Stringy Sentences
A stringy sentence is when too many clauses
are connected with words such as and, but, so,
and because, forming one very long sentence.
Stringy sentences are so long the reader forgets
the beginning of the sentence before reaching
the end.
Stringy Sentence
Watauga Lake is in the
south of Johnson
County, and it is 1,960
feet above sea level, so
this makes Watauga
Lake the highest lake in
the Tennessee Valley
Authority System, and
there are 106 miles of
shoreline, and Watauga
Lake is 19 miles
across.
Corrected
Watauga Lake is in the
south of Johnson
County. It is 1,960 feet
above sea level. This
makes Watauga Lake
the highest lake in the
Tennessee Valley
Authority System. There
are 106 miles of
shoreline. Watauga
Lake is 19 miles
across.
Stringy Sentence
Johnson County has some rich farming
land, and the most fertile land in the
county is along the Little Doe and Roan
Creeks, and Shady Valley also has some
rich farming land.
Corrected
Johnson County has some rich farming
land. The most fertile land in the county is
along the Little Doe and Roan Creeks.
Shady Valley also has some rich
farming land.
Practice with Dry Erase Boards
Write choppy, run-on, or stringy to
describe which sentence problem each
sentence contains.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
You can find 20 miles of the famous
Appalachian Trail in Johnson County, and
it comes into the county at Watauga Lake
and runs along the top of the Holston
Mountain Range which is beautiful for
hiking.
stringy
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Johnson County is in the Appalachian
Mountain chain. The elevations in the
county range from 1800 to 5000 feet
above sea level. The elevation of
Mountain City is 2350 feet above sea
level. Mountain City has a high elevation.
It has the highest elevation of any city in
Tennessee.
choppy
choppy, run-on, or stringy
The highest point in Johnson County is
Snake Mountain at an elevation of 5574
feet above sea level Snake Mountain is
located in the Stone Mountain Range
which parallels the eastern border of the
county.
run-on
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Two other prominent ranges run in a northeast to
southwest direction through the county one is
the Iron Mountain Range Holston Mountain
Range is the other large range in the county.
run-on
choppy, run-on, or stringy
The Iron Mountain Range enters the county at
the northern boundary line. It is next to Virginia.
It continues through Johnson County to
Watauga Lake. It divides Carter and Johnson
Counties. They are divided in the southwestern
part of the county.
choppy
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Three smaller ranges in our county are
Dry Run, Doe, and Forge, and these are
all between the Stone and Iron Mountain
Ranges, and the Doe Mountain Range
runs completely in Johnson County and is
approximately 12 miles long.
stringy
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Johnson County has 167 frost free days,
and the hottest month of the year is July
which has an average temperature of 70.2
degrees Fahrenheit, and December is the
coldest month, and the average
temperature in December is 35.2 degrees
Fahrenheit.
stringy
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Johnson County receives 55 inches of
precipitation annually seventeen inches of
this is in the form of snow. The coldest
recorded temperature in Tennessee was
on December 30, 1917 in Mountain City
the temperature was minus 32 degrees
Fahrenheit.
run-on
choppy, run-on, or stringy
Johnson County receives a lot of
precipitation. It receives 55 inches of
precipitation annually. Seventeen inches of
this is in the form of snow. The coldest
recorded temperature in Tennessee was in
Mountain City. It was on December 30,
1917. The temperature was very cold. It
minus 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
choppy
Written Practice
Number your paper from 1 -11. Write
choppy, run-on, or stringy to describe
which sentence problem each sentence
contains.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
1. One of the earliest mined natural
resources in this area was iron ore the
early settlers used the iron to make
weapons, tools, and utensils.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
2. The first iron works was built in 1793 by
Hezekiah Boon, John McEylea, and
Joseph Sands, and the business was not
successful and was sold to Godfrey
Carriger, Jr. for the taxes that were owed
on it.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
3. Joseph Gentry established an iron works.
It was in 1797. He had a partner. His
name was Lewis Wills. The iron works
was on the Laurel.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
4. John Dugger had a brother named
William, and William settled in the Dry Run
community, and he founded a forge there,
and his son had two sons, and they were
William and Abel, and they operated the
Cranberry Iron Works for many years.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
5. By 1820 eight iron works existed in what
is now Johnson County with 106 men
employed the profits were $20,700 with
$44,750 worth of iron being produced.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
6. By 1836 there were two iron works on
Roan Creek. By 1836 there were two iron
works on the Little Doe Creek. By 1836
there were two iron works on Laurel Fork.
By 1836 there was one iron works on
Beaverdam Creek. By 1836 there was one
iron works on Dry Run Creek.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
7. Mining brought railroads to the county in
the late 1800’s, and the first railroad tracks
were built in 1899 by the Virginia and
Southwestern Railroad, and they would go
from Elizabethton to Mountain City, so by
1910 the track was completed not only to
Mountain City but on to Shouns.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
8. Tracks were later built into Shady Valley
another track was laid along Laurel Creek
to Goose Creek into Mountain City all the
trains carried timber, iron ore, and
manganese as well as passengers. When
the mining industry slowed the railroads
were used by the lumber industry which
began to grow in the early 1900’s.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
9. Today the two major natural resources
are sold in Johnson County they are the
mining of limestone and the milling of
lumber.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
10. Oak is a major tree that is sawed for
lumber. Pine is a major tree that is sawed
for lumber. Poplar is a major tree that is
sawed for lumber. Hickory is a major tree
that is sawed for lumber. Maple is a major
tree that is sawed for lumber.
choppy, run-on, or stringy
11. The Maymead Company, a limestone
mine operation, began in 1930, and it
mines 6,000 tons of limestone each year,
and it also mines 500,000 tons of granite
annually.
Answer Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Run-on
Stringy
Choppy
Stringy
Run-on
Choppy
Stringy
Run-on
Run-on
Choppy
Stringy
Easy Grammar (Appositives)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 615- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Page 617- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Page 619- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Page 621- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Page 623- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Page 625- Add Appositive to Combine Sentences
Lesson 2
 In
this lesson you will learn how to correct
choppy sentences that have words that
are repeated in two or more sentences.
You can determine this by asking, "Do
adjacent sentences contain the same
subject and/or the same verb?“ You
will also learn how to combine choppy
sentences by adding modifying words
and phrases.
Daniel Boone
 In
this lesson all the sentences will be
about Daniel Boone.
Rule 1: Different Subjects –
Same Predicate
When two people or things do the same
thing, try to tell about it in one sentence.
 Rebecca
Boone moved because she felt
there were too many people in the area.
 Daniel
Boone moved because he felt there
were too many people in the area.
 Rebecca
and Boone moved because they
felt there were too many people in the
area.
 If
you use I as part of a combined subject,
put I last.
I
am going hunting after dinner. Boone is
going hunting after dinner.
 Boone
dinner.
and I are going hunting after
Rule 2: Different Predicates Same Subject
If you have one person doing more than
one thing, then place the verbs in a string.
 Boone
packed his haversack. He gathered
his powder horn and bullet pouch. He
saddled his horse.
 Boone
packed his haversack, gathered his
powder horn and bullet pouch, and
saddled his horse.

Remember if more than two things are named
then you must use commas.

Boone wore a fringed hunting shirt. Boone
carried a tomahawk and a knife in his belt.
Boone liked wearing a black felt hat.

Boone wore a fringed hunting shirt, carried a
tomahawk and a knife in his belt, and liked
wearing a black felt hat.
Rule 3: Avoid writing sentences
that repeat the same words again
and again.

Boone thought was that if he could stand in his
front yard and see smoke from a neighbor's
chimney that it had become too crowded.
 Six other men thought was that if they could
stand in their front yards and see smoke from a
neighbor's chimney that it had become too
crowded.
 Daniel Boone and six other men thought was
that if they could stand in their front yards and
see smoke from a neighbor's chimney that it had
become too crowded.
 Daniel
Boone was born November 2,
1734. He was born in a log cabin in
Reading, Pennsylvania.
 Daniel
Boone was born November 2, 1734
in a log cabin in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Rule 4: Sometimes one sentence
will do in place of two.

Mama baked muffins. They were delicious.

Mama baked delicious muffins.

Daniel Boone was a frontiersman. He had an eye like an
eagle and was tough as a mighty oak tree.

Daniel Boone, a frontiersman, had an eye like an eagle
and was tough as a mighty oak tree.
Rule 5: Using phrases in
sentences lets you say more –
with fewer words.

When Boone was 12 years old his parents gave
him his first rifle. Boone was already very good
with a gun before he received this gift.

Because Boone was very good with guns, his
parents gave him is first rifle when he was 12.
 Boone’s
parents were Quakers. They lived
on a small farm where his family ran a
blacksmith shop and were weavers.
 Boone’s
Quaker family lived on a small
farm where they ran a blacksmith shop
and were weavers.
 Boone
rarely attended school. Boone did
not spend his time going to a school where
he could learn to read, do math, and write.
Boone worked on the farm and spent his
time hunting.
 Instead
of going to school, Boone worked
on the farm and spent his time hunting.
Oral Practice
Correctly combine the blue
sentences.
During the French and Indian War, Boone joined
General Edward Braddock's expedition. Boone
tried to drive out the French from Fort
Duquesne.
Fort Duquesne is now Pittsburgh.
Rule 5: Using phrases in sentences
lets you say more - with less.
(Fort Duquesne repeated.)
Boone tried to drive out the French from
Fort Duquesne. Fort Duquesne is now
Pittsburgh.
Boone tried to drive out the French from
Fort Duquesne which is now Pittsburgh.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
Braddock was ambushed. Boone was able
to escape.
Rule 4: Sometimes one sentence
will do in place of two. Two choppy
sentences can be made into one by
making one sentence a dependent
clause.
 Braddock
was ambushed. Boone was able
to escape.
 When
Braddock was ambushed, Boone
was able to escape.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
At age 21 Boone married Rebecca.
Rebecca was just 17 years old.
Rule 3: Avoid writing sentences
that repeat the same words again
and again. (Rebecca repeated.)
At age 21 Boone married Rebecca.
Rebecca was just 17 years old.
At age 21 Boone married Rebecca who
was just 17 years old.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
Rebecca moved because Boone felt there
were too many people in the area. Boone
moved because Boone felt there were too
many people in the area.
Rule 1: Different Subjects –
Same Predicate (moved because
Boone felt there were too many people
in the area repeated.)

Rebecca moved because Boone felt there
were too many people in the area. Boone
moved because Boone felt there were too
many people in the area.
 Rebecca
and Boone moved because Boone
felt there were too many people in the area.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
In 1769 Boone and Rebecca lived in the
Yadkin Valley in North Carolina. Boone
learned about the Watauga Country also
in North Carolina from John Finley.
Rule 3: Avoid writing sentences that
repeat the same words again and again.
(Boone and in North Carolina repeated.)
In 1769 Boone and Rebecca lived in the Yadkin
Valley in North Carolina. Boone learned about
the Watauga Country also in North Carolina from
John Finley.
In 1769 while living in the Yadkin Valley of North
Carolina, Boone and Rebecca learned about the
neighboring Watauga Country from John Finley.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
Boone crossed the mountains. Boone
followed the Watauga River. Boone
followed an Indian trail called the Warriors'
Path to a place now named Butler,
Tennessee.
Rule 2: Different Predicates –
Same Subject (Boone repeated.)
Boone crossed the mountains. Boone
followed the Watauga River. Boone
followed an Indian trail called the Warriors'
Path to a place now named Butler,
Tennessee.
Boone crossed the mountains and
followed the Watauga River on an Indian
trail called the Warriors' Path to a place
now named Butler, Tennessee.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
During his journey Boone came across
three trappers. He met Julius Dugger. He
met Andrew Greer. He met John
Honeycutt.
Rule 3: Avoid writing sentences
that repeat the same words again
and again. (He met repeated.)
During his journey Boone came across three
trappers. He met Julius Dugger. He met Andrew
Greer. He met John Honeycutt.
During his journey he came across three
trappers: Julius Dugger, Andrew Greer and John
Honeycutt.
Correctly combine the following
sentences.
In the spring of 1771 Boone followed the
same trail through a valley in East
Tennessee. In the spring of 1771 Boone
was stopped by the Cherokee who took all
his furs and skins.
Rule 2: Different Predicates –
Same Subject
(In the spring of 1771 Boone repeated.)
In the spring of 1771 Boone followed the same
trail through a valley in East Tennessee. In the
spring of 1771 Boone was stopped by the
Cherokee who took all his furs and skins.
In the spring of 1771 Boone followed the same
trail through a valley in East Tennessee where
he was stopped by the Cherokee who took all
his furs and skins.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
In the beautiful valley where he had left his
horse to die two years earlier Boone found
his horse. Boone saw that his horse was
alive. Boone saw that his horse was fat
and handsome. Boone saw that his horse
had a sleek coat.
Rule 3: Avoid writing sentences that
repeat the same words again and
again.
(Boone saw that his horse repeated.)
In the beautiful valley where he had left his horse to die
two years earlier Boone found his horse. Boone saw that
his horse was alive. Boone saw that his horse was fat
and handsome. Boone saw that his horse had a sleek
coat.
In the beautiful valley where he had left his horse to die
two years earlier, Boone found his horse not only alive
but fat and handsome with a sleek coat.
Correctly combine the following
sentence.
When the horse saw Boone he whinnied.
When the horse saw Boone he trotted
over to meet Boone.
Rule 2: Different Predicates - Same Subject
(When the horse saw Boone he repeated.)
When the horse saw Boone he whinnied.
When the horse saw Boone he trotted
over to meet Boone.
When the horse saw Boone he whinnied
and trotted over to meet Boone.
Written Practice
Number your paper from 1 -11. Write A,
B, C, or D to choose the sentence that
correctly combines the two sentences.
Ever since then the stream through this valley
has been called Roan Creek. It was called
Roan Creek after Boone's horse.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ever since then the stream through this valley has
been called Roan Creek because it was named
Roan Creek after Boone's horse.
Ever since then the stream through this valley has
been called Roan Creek after Boone's horse.
Because ever since then the Roan Creek stream
was named Roan Creek because of Boone’s Roan
horse.
Ever since then the stream was named Roan Creek
because Boone had a Roan horse that went
through this valley and has been called Roan Creek
after Boone's horse.
2. Boone made several trips back and forth to this
area. Boone made several trips before settling
there.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Boone made several trips back and forth to this
area, and Boone made several trips before settling
there.
Boone made several trips back and forth to this
area, because Boone made several trips before
settling there.
Because Boone made several trips back and forth
to this area, Boone made several trips before
settling there.
Boone made several trips back and forth to this
area before settling there.
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find, “plenty
of rich fertile soil.” Boone was quoted as
saying you'll find, “an abundance of game.”
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find, “timber
for log cabins."
3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find, “plenty of
rich fertile soil,” and he said you’ll find, “an
abundance of game,” and he said you’ll find, “timber
for log cabins."
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find, “plenty of
rich fertile soil, an abundance of game, and timber
for log cabins."
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find three things,
“plenty of rich fertile soil,” and you’ll find, “an
abundance of game,” and you’ll find, “timber for log
cabins.“
Boone was quoted as saying you'll find, “plenty of
rich fertile soil,” you’ll also see, “an abundance of
game, and you’ll see, “ timber for log cabins."
Practice
4. Boone chose a site by the Kentucky River
for a fort. Boone built the fort in 1775.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In 1775 Boone chose a site by the Kentucky
River to build a fort.
Boone chose a site by the Kentucky River
for a fort, and Boone built the fort in 1775.
Boone built the fort in 1775, where Boone
chose a site by the Kentucky River for a fort.
Boone chose a site in 1775 by the Kentucky
River for a fort, and he built the fort in 1775.
Practice
5. In 1778 Boone was captured by Shawnee
Indians. In 1778 the Shawnee took Boone to
their village north of the Ohio River.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In 1778 Boone was captured by Shawnee Indians
where they took him in 1778 to their Shawnee
village north of the Ohio River.
In 1778 Boone was captured by Shawnee Indians,
and in 1778 they took him to their Shawnee village
north of the Ohio River.
In 1778 Boone was captured by Shawnee Indians,
and the Shawnee took him in 1778 to their village
north of the Ohio River.
In 1778 Boone was captured by Shawnee Indians,
who took him to their village north of the Ohio River.
Practice
6. Shawnee Chief Blackfish adopted Boone into
the tribe. Shawnee Chief Blackfish treated
Boone as a son.
a) Shawnee Chief Blackfish adopted Boone into the
tribe, and Shawnee Chief Blackfish treated Boone
as a son.
b) When Boone was adopted by Shawnee Chief
Blackfish into the tribe, Shawnee Chief Blackfish
treated Boone as a son.
c) Shawnee Chief Blackfish adopted Boone into the
tribe where he treated Boone as a son.
d) Shawnee Chief Blackfish treated Boone as a son
when Shawnee Chief Blackfish adopted Boone into
the tribe.
Practice
7. One day Boone heard a war party was going to
attack Boonesborough. Boone escaped to
Boonesborough to warn his friends.
a) When Boone heard a war party was going to attack
Boonesborough, he escaped to warn his friends.
b) One day when Boone heard a war party was going
to attack Boonesborough, Boone escaped to
Boonesborough to warn his friends.
c) Because Boone heard a war party was going to
attack Boonesborough, Boone escaped to warn his
friends in Boonesborough.
d) Since Boone heard a war party was going to attack
Boonesborough, Boone escaped the war party to
warn his friends in Boonesborough.
Practice
8.
After the warning the men in Boonesborough of the
Shawnee war party, the men prepared for the attack
by making the fort stronger. After the warning the
women in Boonesborough of the Shawnee war party,
the women prepared for the attack by storing extra
food and water inside the fort.
a)
b)
c)
After warning the people in Boonesborough of the Shawnee
war party the men prepared for the Shawnee attack by making
the fort stronger, and the women prepared for the Shawnee
attack by storing extra food and water inside the fort.
After warning the people in Boonesborough of the Shawnee
war party the men prepared by making the fort stronger, and
the women prepared by storing extra food and water inside the
fort.
After the warning the men in Boonesborough of the Shawnee
war party they prepared for the attack by making the fort
stronger, and after a warning to the women they prepared for
the attack by storing extra food and water inside the fort.
Practice
9.
The Shawnee began to dig a tunnel under the fort.
When the men in the fort saw the Shawnee were
digging a tunnel under the fort they built a tunnel too.
The men in the fort planned to meet the Indians in the
middle through the tunnel.
a)
b)
c)
The Shawnee began to dig a tunnel under the fort. When the
men in the fort saw this they built a tunnel too, so they could
meet the Indians in the middle.
The Shawnee began to dig a tunnel under the fort. When the
men in the fort saw the Shawnee were digging a tunnel under
the fort they built a tunnel too, because the men in the fort
planned to meet the Indians in the middle through the tunnel.
The Shawnee began to dig a tunnel under the fort. When the
men in the fort saw the Shawnee were building a tunnel they
built a tunnel too, so they could meet the Indians in the tunnel
in the middle.
Practice
10. Then the Indians started shooting flaming
arrows into the fort. Luckily rain came. The rain
not only put out the fires but caved in the
Indians' tunnel. With this defeat Blackfish left.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Luckily rain came, and when the rain came not only
did the rain put out the fires but the rain caved in the
Indians' tunnel.
Luckily rain came and the rain not only put out the
fires but the rain caved in the Indians' tunnel.
Luckily when the rain came, it not only put out the
fires but caved in the Indians' tunnel.
It was lucky that the rain came. Because when the
rain came the rain not only put out the fires but
caved in the Indians' tunnel.
Practice
11. Daniel Boone was a brave pioneer. He
was a folk hero.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Daniel Boone was a brave pioneer, and he
was also a folk hero.
Being a folk hero also made Daniel Boone a
brave pioneer.
Daniel Boone was a brave, and a pioneer,
and he was also a folk hero.
Folk hero, Daniel Boone, was a brave
pioneer.
Answer Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
B
D
B
A
D
C
A
B
A
C
D
Lesson 3

In this lesson you will learn how to combine
choppy sentences by using these two methods:

Making a compound sentence (combining
related sentences with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction)

Making a complex sentence (combining related
sentences by adding a subordinating
conjunction to make one sentence a dependent
clause)
Four Types of Sentences
Simple Sentences


A simple sentence, also called an independent
clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it
expresses a complete thought.
At first Johnson County was part of the colony of
North Carolina.
 North Carolina was called the Cherokee
Territory.
 In 1776 Johnson County became part of
Washington County.
Compound Sentence
A
compound sentence is made up of two
simple sentences called independent
clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or
so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.
 Two


Washington County was under North
Carolina rule.
It was named in honor of George
Washington.
 One

Simple Sentences
Compound Sentence
Washington County was under North
Carolina rule, and it was named in
honor of George Washington.

Review

What part of speech are the words and, but, and so?

What part of speech are the words What! No! Hey! and Oh! ?
The FANBOYS

for shows logical consequence; it has the same meaning as
because, the reason why

and shows addition; it has the same meaning as in addition,
along with

nor shows addition of a negative point

but shows contrast; it has the same meaning as however,
except, on the other hand

or shows choice

yet shows contrast

so shows logical consequence; it has the same meaning as as
a result, therefore
More Compound Sentences

Two Simple Sentences



In 1784 the settlers declared their freedom from North
Carolina.
The counties of Sullivan, Washington, Greene, and
Davidson broke away to form a new state.
One Compound Sentence

In 1784 the settlers declared their freedom from North
Carolina, and the counties of Sullivan, Washington,
Greene, and Davidson broke away to form a new
state.
More Compound Sentences
 Two


They named this new state
Franklin.
They wanted to honor
Benjamin Franklin.
 One

Simple Sentences
Compound Sentence
They named this new state
Franklin, for they wanted to
honor Benjamin Franklin.
Easy Grammar –
Compound Sentences
 Page
643 Sentence/ Not Sentence
 Page 645 Sentence/ Not Sentence
 Page 647 Finish Sentence to Form a
Compound Sentence
 Page 649 Finish Sentence to Form a
Compound Sentence
Complex Sentence
A
complex sentence combines a
dependent clause with an independent
clause. A complex sentence always has a
subordinating conjunction such as
because, since, after, although, or when.
Complex Sentence

Two Simple Sentences



The population of Johnson County grew after the
American Revolution.
Ex-soldiers were given land grants as a reward for
fighting for independence from England.
Turned into One Complex Sentence


Because ex-soldiers were given land grants as a
reward for fighting for independence from England, the
population of Johnson County grew after the American
Revolution.
The population of Johnson County grew after the
American Revolution because ex-soldiers were given
land grants as a reward for fighting for independence
from England.
Special Note
 When
the dependent clause is placed
before the independent clause, the two
clauses are divided by a comma;
otherwise, no punctuation is necessary.
Complex Sentence
 Two


Simple Sentences
North Carolina refused to recognize Franklin's
independence.
The state collapsed in 1788.
 Turned


into One Complex Sentence
Since North Carolina refused to recognize
Franklin's independence, the state collapsed
in 1788.
The state collapsed since North Carolina
refused to recognize Franklin's independence.
Compound Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence is comprised
of at least two independent clauses and one
or more dependent clauses.
Conjunctions
Brain Pop - Movie on conjunctions
http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/c
onjunctions/

Review


A phrase is the same as a sentence fragment, and
words must be added to make a complete sentence
called an independent clause.
A clause contains a subordinating conjunction and
needs to be connected to an independent clause.
Easy Grammar –
Complex Sentences
 Pages
653 & 655 Recognize Independent
Clause/ Dependent Clause
 Pages 657 & 659 Recognize Independent
Clause/ Dependent Clause
 Pages 662 & 664 Finish the Complex
Sentence by Adding a Dependent Clause
 Pages 666 – 667 Finish the Complex
Sentence by Adding a Dependent Clause
Oral Practice
Make a compound sentence from
the two simple sentences.
In 1794 the population
of the Tennessee
territory had grown to
77,000.
At this point it was
eligible to apply for
statehood.
In 1794 the population of the Tennessee
territory had grown to 77,000, so at this
point it was eligible to apply for statehood.
Make a compound sentence from
the two simple sentences.
On June 1, 1796 Tennessee was
admitted to the union.
It became the 16th state.
On June 1, 1796 Tennessee was admitted
to the union, and it became the 16th state.
Make a compound sentence from
the two simple sentences.
John Sevier was the only governor of the
State of Franklin.
He became the first Governor of the new
state of Tennessee.
John Sevier was the only governor of the
State of Franklin, and he became the first
Governor of the new state of Tennessee.
Make a compound sentence from
the two simple sentences.
In 1796 Tennessee became a recognized
state.
At this time Johnson County was a part of
Carter County.
In 1796 Tennessee became a recognized
state, and at this time Johnson County
was a part of Carter County.
Make a complex sentence from the
two simple sentences.
In 1835 Joseph Powell introduced the idea of a
separate county to the senate.
They accepted the suggestion.
Note: Use a subordinating conjunction such as
when, as soon as, or now that.
When in 1835 Joseph Powell introduced
the idea of a separate county to the
senate, they accepted the suggestion.
Make a complex sentence from the
two simple sentences.
Johnson County was named after Thomas
Johnson.
He was one of its oldest settlers in the county.
Note: Use a subordinating conjunction such as
since or because.
Johnson County was named after Thomas
Johnson because he was one of its oldest
settlers in the county.
Because he was one of its oldest settlers
in the county, Johnson County was named
after Thomas Johnson.
Make a complex sentence from the
two simple sentences.
The house of the late Thomas Johnson
was used as the courthouse.
One could be built.
Note: Use a subordinating conjunction such
as until, while or as.
The house of the late Thomas Johnson
was used as the courthouse until one
would be built.
Until one could be built, the house of the
late Thomas Johnson was used as the
courthouse
Written
Practice
Instructions
 You
will be given four sets of simple
sentences to combine. You may combine
them into compound or complex
sentences; however, you must try using
both methods. You must have at least one
compound and one complex sentence.
1. Turn these two simple sentences
into a compound or complex
sentence.
East Tennessee was
historically a Republican
area.
Most men here sided with
the Union.
2. Turn these two simple sentences
into a compound or complex
sentence.
Johnson County sent a company to unite
with the 13th Tennessee Volunteer
Cavalry.
They fought for the Union.
3. Turn these two simple sentences
into a compound or complex
sentence.
There were no major battles
fought in Johnson County.
There were conflicts which
resulted in some fighting.
4. Turn these two simple sentences
into a compound or complex
sentence.
The war was over.
Many men were able to return home and
settle their differences with their
neighbors.
5. What is the best way to revise the following
sentence?
Taylorsville was renamed Mountain City; because it
was in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Taylorsville was renamed Mountain City, because it
was in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee.
Because it was in one of the highest valleys in
Tennessee Taylorsville was renamed Mountain City.
Taylorsville was renamed Mountain City, so it was in
one of the highest valleys in Tennessee.
Taylorsville was renamed Mountain City because it
was in one of the highest valleys in Tennessee.
6. What is the best way to combine the
following sentence?
Smith's Mill was renamed Butler. This was
in honor of Roderick Random Butler.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Smith's Mill was renamed Butler in honor of
Roderick Random Butler.
Smith's Mill was renamed Butler this was in
honor of Roderick Random Butler.
Smith's Mill was renamed Butler, and this was
in honor of Roderick Random Butler.
Because Smith's Mill was renamed Butler, it
was to honor of Roderick Random Butler.
7. What is the best way to combine the following
sentence?
Flooding destroyed large portions of the railroad
track in 1940. The track was not replaced and the
railroad no longer traveled through the county.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Flooding destroyed large portions of the railroad track in
1940, so the track was not replaced and the railroad no
longer traveled through the county.
Flooding destroyed large portions of the railroad track in
1940, but the track was not replaced and the railroad no
longer traveled through the county.
After flooding destroyed large portions of the railroad
track in 1940, the track was not replaced and the railroad
no longer traveled through the county.
Because flooding destroyed large portions of the railroad
track in 1940 the track was not replaced and the railroad
no longer traveled through the county.
Answer Key
1-4 Answers will vary.
5. D
6. A
7. C
TCAP Sample
#2 J
#3 D
#70 H
TCAP Practice
#40 J
#55 D
Lesson 4
 In
this lesson you will learn how to
recognize and correct run-on sentences.
A
run-on sentence is two or more
sentences that are incorrectly written as
one sentence.
 The
length of the sentence has nothing to
do with it being a run-on sentence.
There are four methods for correcting
run-on sentences.
Add an end mark to form two
sentences.
2. Add a comma and a coordinating
conjunction.
3. Add a subordinating conjunction to
make one sentence a dependent
clause.
4. Add a semi-colon.
1.
The first is to simply make two
sentences.
Incorrect
Johnson County is in the northeastern corner of Tennessee
it sees the first sunrise each morning.
Correct
Johnson County is in the northeastern corner of
Tennessee. It sees the first sunrise each morning.
The second method for correcting run-on sentences is
linking the sentences or clauses with a
conjunction. (The seven coordinating conjunctions
are easy to remember by the acronym FANBOYS: For,
And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.)
Incorrect
The Cherokee National Forest is in Johnson County it has miles of
untamed hiking trails.
Correct
The Cherokee National Forest is in Johnson County, so it has miles
of untamed hiking trails.
The third method for correcting run-on
sentences is joining the two clauses with
a semicolon. Use a semicolon to join
clauses when the ideas are closely
connected and need no transition word to
explain the connection between them. The
semicolon, as used here, is the grammatical
equivalent of a period.
Incorrect
Trade is the oldest town in Johnson County the first setters traded
here with the Native Americans.
Correct
Trade is the oldest town in Johnson County; the first setters
traded here with the Native Americans.
Easy Grammar






page 629 - Sentence or Not a Sentence
page 631 - Using Semicolons to Correct Run-ons
page 633 - Using Semicolons to Correct Run-ons
page 635 - Using Semicolons to Correct Run-ons
page 637 - Using Semicolons and a word such as
however, therefore, fortunately, unfortunately, or in
fact
page 639 - Using Semicolons and a word such as
however, therefore, fortunately, unfortunately, or in
fact
The fourth method for correcting run-on
sentences is by making one of the clauses
dependent by adding words such as
since, which, that, although, because, or
while.
Incorrect
You may drive into Mountain City on several highways you
will enjoy scenic mountain views from any direction you
come.
Correct
Even though you may drive into Mountain City on several
highways, you will enjoy scenic mountain views from any
direction you come.
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
because
that
where
although
before
thought
wherever
as
even
though
unless
which
as if
if
until
while
as long as
once
what
who
as soon as
since
whatever
however
as though
so that
whenever
Things to Remember:

A run-on sentence is two or more sentences that
are incorrectly written as one sentence.
 The length of the sentence has nothing to do with
it being a run-on sentence.
 There are four methods for correcting run-on
sentences. They are:




Making separate sentences.
Linking the sentences or clauses with a coordinating
conjunction. (The seven coordinating conjunctions are
easy to remember by the acronym FANBOYS: For,
And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.)
Joining the two clauses with a semicolon.
Making one of the clauses a dependent by adding
subordinating conjunctions such as since, which, that,
although, because, or while.
Incorrect
Johnson County is in the
northeastern corner of
Tennessee it sees the first
sunrise each morning.
Correct
Johnson County is in the
northeastern corner of
Tennessee. It sees the first
sunrise each morning.
Incorrect
Correct
Incorrect
Correct
The Cherokee National Forest is
in Johnson County it has miles
of untamed hiking trails.
Trade is the oldest town in
Johnson County the first setters
traded here with the Native
Americans.
Incorrect
You may drive into Mountain
City on several highways you
will enjoy scenic mountain views
from any direction you come.
The Cherokee National Forest is
in Johnson County, so it has
miles of untamed hiking trails.
Trade is the oldest town in
Johnson County; the first setters
traded here with the Native
Americans.
Correct
Even though you may drive
into Mountain City on several
highways, you will enjoy scenic
mountain views from any
direction you come.
Oral Practice
Correct the following run-on sentences
using each of the four methods.
Note: you must change the some
words for some of the sentences to
make sense.
The Tennessee Valley Authority built
Watauga Dam in the 1940’s the reason it
was built was to control flooding.
Two Sentences
The Tennessee Valley Authority built
Watauga Dam in the 1940’s. The reason it
was built was to control flooding.
Compound Sentences
The Tennessee Valley Authority built
Watauga Dam in the 1940’s, so they could
control flooding.
Semi-Colon
The Tennessee Valley Authority built
Watauga Dam in the 1940’s; the reason it
was built was to control flooding.
Complex Sentence
Because they needed to control flooding,
the Tennessee Valley Authority built
Watauga Dam in the 1940’s.
Written Practice
1. Correct this run-on sentence by
using a semi-colon.
The Butler Bridge was built in 1948 it won
awards for its beauty.
2. Correct this run-on sentence by
making a compound sentence.
Five streams in Johnson County are
stocked by the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency between March and
June fishermen have about 230 stream
miles to try their luck.
3. Correct this run-on sentence by
making two sentences.
Approximately twenty-six percent of the
county lays in national forests the
Cherokee National Forest provides 715
miles of hiking, horse, bicycle, motorcycle,
and off-road vehicle trails.
4. Correct this run-on sentence by
making a complex sentence.
Mining took most of the trees in Johnson
County people began turning to agriculture
to earn a living.
Answer Key
TCAP Sample
# 13 B
# 72 F
TCAP Practice
# 57 A