Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices Worksheet — Grade 4
Practice spotting and fixing run-on sentences and comma splices in this Grade 4 worksheet on sentence structure and joining independent clauses.
Run-on sentences and comma splices are two of the most common writing errors students make as they learn to express longer, more complex thoughts. A run-on occurs when two complete sentences are written together without any punctuation or connecting word between them. A comma splice happens when a comma alone is used to join two complete sentences, which is not enough. Both errors make writing harder to follow and understand. This worksheet gives Grade 4 students practice with these mistakes in four steps: spotting where an error occurs, choosing a joining word to fix it, rewriting a faulty sentence in full, and composing their own correctly joined sentence. Work through each part in order, and use the rule box at the top of the page whenever you need a reminder.
Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices Worksheet — Grade 4
In this worksheet, you will spot and fix run-on sentences and comma splices. Follow the directions in each section carefully.
Remember
- A run-on sentence joins two complete thoughts without any punctuation or connecting word between them. Example: It rained we got wet.
- A comma splice joins two complete thoughts with only a comma, which is not strong enough. Example: It rained, we got wet.
- Fix a run-on or comma splice by splitting it into two sentences, or by adding a comma and a joining word such as and, but, or so.
Part A — Spot the Error
Underline the word that begins the second sentence in each run-on or comma splice below.
- 1.
The rain fell hard all day we stayed inside the whole afternoon.
- 2.
Sofia finished her math homework, she started reading her book.
- 3.
Our class studied the water cycle it was the most interesting lesson.
- 4.
Marcus kicked the ball toward the goal, Yuki caught it and scored.
- 5.
Kenji planted seeds in the garden they grew into tall sunflowers.
Part B — Choose the Joining Word
Fill in the blank with a joining word that correctly connects the two parts of each sentence.
- 6.
It was raining hard, ____ we decided to stay inside all afternoon.
- 7.
The butterfly landed on the flower, ____ it slowly opened its wings.
- 8.
Amara wanted to go swimming, ____ the pool was closed for repairs.
- 9.
Bring your permission slip tomorrow, ____ you will miss the field trip.
- 10.
The freezer was making a loud noise, ____ Dad called a repairman.
Part C — Rewrite It Correctly
Rewrite each sentence to fix the run-on or comma splice. Write the full corrected sentence on the line.
- 11.
The bell rang we all ran out to the playground.
- 12.
Nadia studied hard for the spelling test, she still missed three words.
- 13.
My dog loves to swim she jumps into the pond every summer morning.
- 14.
The caterpillar ate leaves for two weeks, then it formed a cocoon.
Part D — Write Your Own
Write your own sentence using a comma and a joining word to connect two complete thoughts correctly.
- 15.
Write two complete thoughts and join them correctly with a comma and a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or so.
Answer key
Part A — Spot the Error
- 1.we
- 2.she
- 3.it
- 4.Yuki
- 5.they
Part B — Choose the Joining Word
- 6.so
- 7.and
- 8.but
- 9.or
- 10.so
Part C — Rewrite It Correctly
- 11.The bell rang. We all ran out to the playground.
- 12.Nadia studied hard for the spelling test, but she still missed three words.
- 13.My dog loves to swim. She jumps into the pond every summer morning.
- 14.The caterpillar ate leaves for two weeks. Then it formed a cocoon.
Part D — Write Your Own
- 15.Example: The sun came out after lunch, so we played basketball outside.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify run-on sentences and comma splices in written text
- Choose the correct conjunction to fix a run-on or comma splice
- Rewrite incorrect sentences by splitting, joining, or repunctuating them
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often miss run-ons where the second sentence starts with a pronoun that seems to flow naturally from the first.
- When correcting comma splices, accept any fix that produces two complete sentences or one correctly joined compound sentence.
- A student is ready to move on when they can explain in their own words why a sentence is a run-on before correcting it.
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