Grade 4 Sentences Worksheets | Worsheets library - Free Printable

To fix a run-on sentence, you need to connect two complete thoughts (sentences) using a comma and a coordinating conjunction. The common conjunctions are and, but, or, so, and yet.

Let’s look at the first example:
Original: *We ate all the pizza we still were hungry for more.*
This has two parts:
1. We ate all the pizza.
2. We still were hungry for more.

These are two separate ideas that contradict each other — even though they ate everything, they’re still hungry. So we use “but” to show contrast.
Corrected: *We ate all the pizza, but we still were hungry for more.*

Now let’s fix each of the remaining sentences one by one:

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2. The girls play football the boys play soccer.
→ Two separate facts. Use “and” to join them.
Answer: *The girls play football, and the boys play soccer.*

3. The students did their homework they could have some time to play after school.
→ Doing homework led to free time → cause and effect → use “so”.
Answer: *The students did their homework, so they could have some time to play after school.*

4. I thought I saw a rat it was a hamster.
→ First thought was wrong → contrast → use “but”.
Answer: *I thought I saw a rat, but it was a hamster.*

5. Sarah bought a new computer she never uses it.
→ She bought it, but doesn’t use it → contradiction → use “but” or “yet”. Let’s pick “but”.
Answer: *Sarah bought a new computer, but she never uses it.*

6. My parents surprised us they told us we were going to Tennessee.
→ The surprise came from telling them → explanation or addition → use “when” isn’t allowed; must use FANBOYS. Actually, this is better with “because”, but since we can only use and/but/or/so/yet — let’s think: maybe “and”? But that feels weak. Wait — actually, “they told us” explains why they were surprised → so perhaps “so”? No, that reverses logic. Hmm. Better: “My parents surprised us when they told us...” — but we can’t add words. So stick to rule: use comma + conjunction. Maybe “and” is safest here? Or rephrase slightly within rules. Actually, “My parents surprised us, and they told us we were going to Tennessee.” That works as joining two related events.
Answer: *My parents surprised us, and they told us we were going to Tennessee.*

Wait — better version: Since the telling caused the surprise, maybe “so”? “My parents told us we were going to Tennessee, so they surprised us.” — changes order. Not ideal. Stick to original structure. Best fit: “and”.

Actually, let’s try: “My parents surprised us because they told us...” — again, not allowed. Rule says: use comma + and/but/or/so/yet.

So: *My parents surprised us, and they told us we were going to Tennessee.* — acceptable.

But wait — maybe “yet”? No, no contrast. “Or”? No. “Yet” implies unexpectedness — could work? “My parents surprised us, yet they told us...” — no, that suggests telling was surprising too, which is redundant.

Best choice: “and”

Final: *My parents surprised us, and they told us we were going to Tennessee.*

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7. We are going to buy a new house we are going to fix this house.
→ Two plans — probably alternatives? Or both? If they’re choosing between buying new or fixing old → use “or”. If doing both → use “and”. Sentence doesn’t specify. Probably meant to be alternative → use “or”.
Answer: *We are going to buy a new house, or we are going to fix this house.*

Alternatively, if it’s both, then “and”. But context suggests decision-making → “or” fits better.

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8. My brothers are busy cleaning the kitchen I will have to clean all of the other rooms.
→ Because brothers are busy, I have to do other rooms → result → use “so”.
Answer: *My brothers are busy cleaning the kitchen, so I will have to clean all of the other rooms.*

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9. The bell rang the class started right away.
→ Bell ringing caused class to start → sequence/result → use “and” or “so”. “And” shows sequence. “So” shows causation. Both okay. “And” simpler.
Answer: *The bell rang, and the class started right away.*

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10. We waited at the door no one ever answered.
→ We waited, but no answer → contrast → use “but”.
Answer: *We waited at the door, but no one ever answered.*

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✔ All fixed!

Final Answer:
2. The girls play football, and the boys play soccer.
3. The students did their homework, so they could have some time to play after school.
4. I thought I saw a rat, but it was a hamster.
5. Sarah bought a new computer, but she never uses it.
6. My parents surprised us, and they told us we were going to Tennessee.
7. We are going to buy a new house, or we are going to fix this house.
8. My brothers are busy cleaning the kitchen, so I will have to clean all of the other rooms.
9. The bell rang, and the class started right away.
10. We waited at the door, but no one ever answered.