Run Ons
What Is a Run-on?
A run-on is when two sentences are "combined," or "run together" without the necessary connecting words or punctuation (or both of these!).
- If two sentences are written together without any punctuation at all, this is a fused sentence.
For example:
This is a fused sentence because there is no period between the two sentences.
- Marie got As on her report card her parents took her out to dinner.
- Marie got As on her report card. Her parents took her out to dinner.
If we add a period, we get two complete sentences.
- If two sentences are combined using only a comma, without a connecting word (such as "and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet"), this is called a comma splice.
For example:
This is a comma splice sentence.
- Halloween is next week, I'm going to eat so much candy.
- Halloween is next week, and I'm going to eat so much candy.
If we add a connecting word, we get one complete sentence.
How to Correct a Run-on?
1. Put a period between the two sentences.
For example:
This is a run-on.
- Lisa was extremely sick she had to go to the hospital.
- Lisa was extremely sick. She had to go to the hospital.
Now these are two good sentences.
2. Connect the two sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, nor, for, so, or, yet). This forms a compound sentence.
For example:
This is a run-on.
- It's raining we don't want to go outside.
- It's raining, so we don't want to go outside.
This is a good sentence.
3. Connect the two sentences with a semicolon.
For example:
This is a run-on.
- The diving board is fun the slide is even better!
- The diving board is fun; the slide is even better!
This is a good sentence.
4. Connect the two sentences with a semicolon and a word or phrase to explain the relationship between the two sentences (however, therefore, then, as a result, consequently, also, in contrast, nevertheless, on the other hand, etc.).
For example:
This is a run-on.
- Sarah is a good driver she got in an accident.
- Sarah is a good driver; nevertheless, she got in an accident.
This is a good sentence.
5. Connect the two sentences by inserting one as a dependent clause. You will often use a dependent clause signal word to do this (because, if, although, which, who, when). This forms a complex sentence.
For example:
This is a run-on.
- Grandma is coming at noon she is bringing my birthday cake!
- Grandma, who is bringing my birthday cake, is coming at noon!
This is a good sentence.
- A run-on is when two sentences are "combined," or "run together" without the necessary connecting words or punctuation (or both of these!).
- How to identify a run-on:
- If two sentences are written together without any punctuation at all, this is a fused sentence.
- If two sentences are combined using only a comma, without a connecting word (such as "and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet"), this is called a comma splice.
- We can correct run-on in the following ways:
- Put a period between the two sentences.
- Connect the two sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. This forms a compound sentence.
- Connect the two sentences with a semicolon.
- Connect the two sentences with a semicolon and a word or phrase to explain the relationship between the two sentences.
- Connect the two sentences by inserting one as a dependent clause. This forms a complex sentence.
