Free printable worksheet for 5th graders to practice fixing run-on sentences using conjunctions and punctuation.
Grade 5 grammar worksheet for correcting run-on sentences with conjunctions and punctuation.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Correcting Run-On Sentences Worksheets | Worsheets library
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Correcting Run-On Sentences Worksheets | Worsheets library
Let's solve the "Run-on Sentences" worksheet step by step. The goal is to correct each run-on sentence by adding conjunctions or punctuation so that the independent clauses are properly joined.
---
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined incorrectly — either without any punctuation or with only a comma (comma splice). We fix them by:
- Adding a period and starting a new sentence,
- Using a semicolon, or
- Using a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor*) with a comma.
---
Now, let’s correct each sentence:
---
1. We wanted to go to the store we decided to stay home.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses joined without punctuation or conjunction.
✔ Fix: Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "but".
👉 We wanted to go to the store, but we decided to stay home.
---
2. All the parents came to our school play they all liked it.
✘ Run-on: Two complete ideas.
✔ Fix: Use a period or a semicolon.
👉 All the parents came to our school play. They all liked it.
OR
👉 All the parents came to our school play; they all liked it.
---
3. I like to eat chocolate ice cream it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a comma and conjunction.
👉 I like to eat chocolate ice cream because it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
(Or: I like to eat chocolate ice cream, and it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.)
> Note: "because" makes it a dependent clause, which is acceptable. But if you want two independent clauses, use "and".
---
4. Not only did she win the race also she set a record for the best time.
✘ Incorrect structure: "Not only... also..." is a correlative conjunction, but the word order is wrong.
✔ Fix: Use proper parallel structure.
👉 Not only did she win the race, but she also set a record for the best time.
> ✔ This uses the correct structure: "Not only... but also..."
---
5. I can’t sleep it is light outside.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Add a comma and conjunction.
👉 I can’t sleep because it is light outside.
OR
👉 I can’t sleep, and it is light outside.
---
6. Peter wants to be an astronaut he loves science.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 Peter wants to be an astronaut because he loves science.
OR
👉 Peter wants to be an astronaut, and he loves science.
---
7. My mom visits the museum she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
✘ Run-on: Two complete sentences.
✔ Fix: Use a semicolon or a conjunction.
👉 My mom visits the museum; she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
OR
👉 My mom visits the museum, and she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
---
8. Music means a lot to me certain songs bring wonderful memories.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction or semicolon.
👉 Music means a lot to me because certain songs bring wonderful memories.
OR
👉 Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories.
---
9. The teacher assigned a lot of homework she will be absent tomorrow.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 The teacher assigned a lot of homework because she will be absent tomorrow.
OR
👉 The teacher assigned a lot of homework, and she will be absent tomorrow.
---
10. Luke dances every day he is a very good dancer.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 Luke dances every day, and he is a very good dancer.
OR
👉 Luke dances every day because he is a very good dancer.
> Note: The second version changes meaning slightly (implying dancing is due to being good), so the first is better for preserving original intent.
---
1. We wanted to go to the store, but we decided to stay home.
2. All the parents came to our school play. They all liked it.
3. I like to eat chocolate ice cream, and it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
4. Not only did she win the race, but she also set a record for the best time.
5. I can’t sleep because it is light outside.
6. Peter wants to be an astronaut because he loves science.
7. My mom visits the museum; she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
8. Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories.
9. The teacher assigned a lot of homework, and she will be absent tomorrow.
10. Luke dances every day, and he is a very good dancer.
---
- Always look for two subjects and two verbs — that's a sign of a run-on.
- Use commas + conjunctions, semicolons, or periods to fix them.
- Be careful with correlative conjunctions like "not only... but also" — they need proper structure.
Let me know if you'd like this as a printable PDF or in a different format!
---
🔹 What is a Run-on Sentence?
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined incorrectly — either without any punctuation or with only a comma (comma splice). We fix them by:
- Adding a period and starting a new sentence,
- Using a semicolon, or
- Using a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor*) with a comma.
---
Now, let’s correct each sentence:
---
1. We wanted to go to the store we decided to stay home.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses joined without punctuation or conjunction.
✔ Fix: Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "but".
👉 We wanted to go to the store, but we decided to stay home.
---
2. All the parents came to our school play they all liked it.
✘ Run-on: Two complete ideas.
✔ Fix: Use a period or a semicolon.
👉 All the parents came to our school play. They all liked it.
OR
👉 All the parents came to our school play; they all liked it.
---
3. I like to eat chocolate ice cream it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a comma and conjunction.
👉 I like to eat chocolate ice cream because it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
(Or: I like to eat chocolate ice cream, and it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.)
> Note: "because" makes it a dependent clause, which is acceptable. But if you want two independent clauses, use "and".
---
4. Not only did she win the race also she set a record for the best time.
✘ Incorrect structure: "Not only... also..." is a correlative conjunction, but the word order is wrong.
✔ Fix: Use proper parallel structure.
👉 Not only did she win the race, but she also set a record for the best time.
> ✔ This uses the correct structure: "Not only... but also..."
---
5. I can’t sleep it is light outside.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Add a comma and conjunction.
👉 I can’t sleep because it is light outside.
OR
👉 I can’t sleep, and it is light outside.
---
6. Peter wants to be an astronaut he loves science.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 Peter wants to be an astronaut because he loves science.
OR
👉 Peter wants to be an astronaut, and he loves science.
---
7. My mom visits the museum she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
✘ Run-on: Two complete sentences.
✔ Fix: Use a semicolon or a conjunction.
👉 My mom visits the museum; she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
OR
👉 My mom visits the museum, and she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
---
8. Music means a lot to me certain songs bring wonderful memories.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction or semicolon.
👉 Music means a lot to me because certain songs bring wonderful memories.
OR
👉 Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories.
---
9. The teacher assigned a lot of homework she will be absent tomorrow.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 The teacher assigned a lot of homework because she will be absent tomorrow.
OR
👉 The teacher assigned a lot of homework, and she will be absent tomorrow.
---
10. Luke dances every day he is a very good dancer.
✘ Run-on: Two independent clauses.
✔ Fix: Use a conjunction.
👉 Luke dances every day, and he is a very good dancer.
OR
👉 Luke dances every day because he is a very good dancer.
> Note: The second version changes meaning slightly (implying dancing is due to being good), so the first is better for preserving original intent.
---
✔ Final Corrected Answers:
1. We wanted to go to the store, but we decided to stay home.
2. All the parents came to our school play. They all liked it.
3. I like to eat chocolate ice cream, and it is sweet and cool on a hot summer day.
4. Not only did she win the race, but she also set a record for the best time.
5. I can’t sleep because it is light outside.
6. Peter wants to be an astronaut because he loves science.
7. My mom visits the museum; she spends hours looking at the exhibits.
8. Music means a lot to me, and certain songs bring wonderful memories.
9. The teacher assigned a lot of homework, and she will be absent tomorrow.
10. Luke dances every day, and he is a very good dancer.
---
🎯 Key Tips:
- Always look for two subjects and two verbs — that's a sign of a run-on.
- Use commas + conjunctions, semicolons, or periods to fix them.
- Be careful with correlative conjunctions like "not only... but also" — they need proper structure.
Let me know if you'd like this as a printable PDF or in a different format!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of run on sentence worksheet answer key.
