Common CELPIP errors - Run-On Sentences

When I was studying for my CELPIP exam I got material from them. Unfortunately, I can not put the PDF to the public because it has a watermark with my personal email. But I can put you here what it says.

CELPIP's second error as they state:

We see a lot of run-on sentences in the written part of the CELPIP. A run-on sentence is composed of two independent (i.e., potentially stand-alone) clauses that have been stuck together with either commas or nothing at all.

There are two types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. A comma splice is two independent clauses joined only by a comma. (Thank you for your resumé, we will contact you soon.) A fused sentence is two independent clauses joined with nothing at all. (We have selected the candidates to be interviewed we would like you to come in next week.) The easiest solution is to break the clauses into separate sentences or else coordinate them.

In repairing a run-on sentence, we also have the option of changing one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause by using an appropriate subordinating word (e.g., because, if, although). The result is a complex sentence with one dependent clause and one independent clause.

How to fix them

With a period (.)

Miguel visited Newfoundland. He looked out over the Grand Banks.

With a semicolon (;)

Miguel visited Nova Scotia; he went to Louisburg.

With a comma and a conjunction

Miguel visited New Brunswick, and he toured the Bay of Fundy (same importance).

Miguel visited Prince Eduard Island, for it was easy to take the Confederation Bridge (reason).

Miguel drove across the province of Québec, but he didn't see enough Montreal (contrast).

Miguel thought Ontario was a small province, yet it took him three days to drive across it (surprise).

Miguel could end his journey in Ontario, or he could continue on into Manitoba (alternative).

Miguel still hasn't been to western Canada, nor has he been to northern Canada (negative alternative).

Miguel will visit the West and the North next summer, so he still has a lot of driving ahead of him (result).

Good luck!