A RUN-ON SENTENCE (sometimes called a 'fused sentence ...



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William.hamilton@

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Introduction:

This is a mini grammar lesson about run-on sentences.

The video clip is a metaphor for run-on sentences.

Run-on Sentences: Defined

If clauses are not punctuated properly, it is like the part of the clip when the dog raises its legs.

The extra leg that comes bouncing up represents the missing comma looking for a home to rescue the sentence from a criminal life of breaking grammar rules.

A RUN-ON SENTENCE (sometimes called a "fused sentence") has at least two parts, either one of which can stand by itself (in other words, two independent clauses), but the two parts have been smooshed together instead of being properly connected.



A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (that is, complete sentences) are joined with no punctuation or conjunction



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|Introduction |  |

|Preliminary Quiz |The grammar outlaw: The Run-on Sentence, AKA The Sentence Masher, The Runaway |

|“Ten Most Wanted”: |  |

|Tutorials and Quizzes | |

|Glossary |  |

|Links |The grammar crime: Run-on sentences join two or more complete sentences with no punctuation. |

|  |Question: How do we know we have a run-on sentence? |

|  |Outlaw |

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|  |Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist. |

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|  |This sentence is incorrect because “Michaela loves to draw horses” and “she is a talented artist” can |

|  |both stand as complete sentences. Therefore, we cannot merge them into one sentence without separating|

|  |them somehow. |

|  |Question: How do we catch run-on sentence outlaws? |

|  |Run-on sentence grammar outlaws behave similarly to comma splices; however, because no comma is |

|  |involved they are harder to spot. |

|  |When you read sentences, try to be aware of the independent clauses. When you see two in the same |

|  |sentence with no punctuation you have caught a run-on sentence outlaw. |

|  |Clues: Look for two subjects within the same sentence, or a subject and a pronoun. |

|  |Question: How do we rehabilitate run-on sentence outlaws? |

|  |We use the same method as we rehabilitate comma splices. There are five main methods of fixing run-on |

|  |sentences. |

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|  |1. We can separate the two clauses into two sentences. |

|  |Outlaw |

|  |Rehabilitated |

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|  |Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band it was a punk rock band. |

|  |Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band. It was a punk rock band. |

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|  |2. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon. |

|  |Outlaw |

|  |Rehabilitated |

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|  |Gordon laughed at Sandy's joke it was lewd. |

|  |Gordon laughed at Sandy's joke; it was lewd. |

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|  |3.  We can replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, nor, or so). |

|  |Outlaw |

|  |Rehabilitated |

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|  |The night was cold we forgot to bring our coats. |

|  |The night was cold, and we forgot to bring out coats. |

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|  |4. We can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, before, unless, |

|  |as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while). |

|  |Outlaw |

|  |Rehabilitated |

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|  |Maria and John like skiing Karen does not. |

|  |Although Maria and John like skiing, Karen does not. |

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|  |5.  We can replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word (e.g., however, moreover, on the |

|  |other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result). |

|  |Outlaw |

|  |Rehabilitated |

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|  |I expected to pay ten dollars for the bus ride to Halifax I was wrong. |

|  |I expected to pay ten dollars for the bus ride to Halifax; however, I was wrong. |

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Helpful Hints:

Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly. The best way to avoid such errors is to punctuate compound sentences correctly by using one or the other of these rules.

1. Join the two independent clauses with one of the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet), and use a comma before the connecting word.

_________________________, and _________________________.

He enjoys walking through the country, and he often goes backpacking on his vacations.

2. When you do not have a connecting word (or when you use a connecting word other than and, but, for, or nor, so, or yet between the two independent clauses) use a semicolon (;).



Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence consists of several clauses strung together with no punctuation separating them.



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