Run-on Sentences
Run-on Sentences
Run-on sentences are two or more sentences run together without the proper punctuation between them. Run-ons come in two types: fused sentences and comma splices. (Note: some texts and teachers do not consider comma splices to be true run-ons, but most do.)
1.) Fused sentences: Fused sentences are two or more sentences that are “fused” together rather than being separated with the proper punctuation.
Incorrect: Tony is in love with Lola he thinks she is beautiful.
Correct: Tony is in love with Lola. He thinks she is beautiful.
2.) Comma Splices: A comma splice occurs when a writer “splices” two sentences together by using a comma alone between them.
Incorrect: Tony is in love with Lola, he thinks she is beautiful.
Correct: Tony is in love with Lola, and he thinks she is beautiful.
| |
|Correcting Run-ons. There are essentially five methods to correct run-on sentences, and while more than one technique may work to correct any |
|given run-on, one method might be preferable to another depending on the specific situation. |
|Use a period (and capitalize as necessary). |
|Use a comma with a connecting word. (fanboys) |
|Use a semicolon alone. |
|Use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb. (however, therefore, indeed…) |
|Use subordination. |
1. Using a period: Using a period is perhaps the easiest and most fundamental way to fix a run-on, but if you choose this technique, don’t forget to capitalize as necessary.
Incorrect: Felix is interested in astronomy, he is fascinated by the heavens.
Correct: Felix is interested in astronomy. He is fascinated by the heavens.
2. Using a comma with a coordinating conjunction (one of the FANBOYS). If you use a comma to fix a fused sentence, or if you are correcting a comma splice, you must also use a coordinating conjunction, i.e. the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Incorrect: Tom drove to the store, he was out of milk and eggs.
Correct: Tom drove to the store, for he was out of milk and eggs.
Incorrect: Tina is often late for work, she usually leaves early, too.
Correct: Tina is often late for work, and she leaves early, too.
3. Using a semicolon alone. The semicolon can be used to connect two sentences rather than using a comma and a FANBOYS, but its use is not arbitrary. Semicolons are used to connect two sentences that are closely related in content.
Incorrect: My mother likes musicals, my father prefers action films.
Correct: My mother likes musicals; my father prefers action films.
Incorrect: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, Mercury is the smallest.
Correct: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system; Mercury is the smallest.
4. Using a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb. If you connect two sentences using a conjunctive adverb such as however, nevertheless, and in addition (see attached list), use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.
Incorrect: Alfonso insisted that the work be done by midnight, he refused to pay overtime, though.
Correct: Alfonso insisted that the work be done by midnight; however, he refused to pay overtime.
Incorrect: Don works two jobs every week he also goes to school part-time.
Correct: Don works two jobs every week; in addition, he goes to school part-time.
5A. Using subordination. Run-on sentences can also be corrected by using subordination,
turning one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause, often by using a dependent word such as after, because, and when (see attached list). If the dependent clause comes at the start of the sentence, follow it with a comma. If it comes at the end of the sentence, do not use a comma.
Incorrect: Pilar enrolled in a French class, she was hoping to take a trip to Paris.
Correct: Pilar enrolled in a French class because she was hoping to take a trip to Paris.
Incorrect: Hans saw a TV show about shark attacks, after that he refused to swim in the ocean.
Correct: After he saw a show about shark attacks, Hans refused to swim in the ocean.
Incorrect: The front door banged loudly in the wind, Dorothy almost jumped out of her skin.
Correct: When the front door banged loudly in the wind, Dorothy almost jumped out of her skin.
5B. Subordination can take other forms as well, including using a gerund (the “ing” form of a verb) or a relative pronoun (such as who or which). Also note that a dependent word group can interrupt an independent clause rather than preceding it or following it.
Incorrect: Dave decided to invest his inheritance, this proved to be a smart move.
Correct: Dave decided to invest his inheritance, which proved to be a smart move.
Incorrect: Mons Olympus is the tallest mountain on Mars, it is fifteen miles high.
Correct: Mons Olympus is the tallest mountain on Mars, rising fifteen miles into the air.
Incorrect: Edwin Hubble is a famous twentieth century astronomer he discovered that the universe is expanding.
Correct: Edwin Hubble, a famous twentieth century astronomer, discovered that the universe is expanding.
The chart on the next two pages is a must-have.
Make a copy and keep it with your writing materials!!
A Chart of Methods for Correcting Run-On Sentences
(An MSJC-SJC Writing Center Handout)
Method 1
Create two sentences.
Independent . Capital letter Independent
clause clause
Method 2 : Coordination
Use a comma and , for
a coordinate , and
conjunction , nor
, but
Independent , or Independent
clause , yet clause
, so
Method 3
Use a semicolon
Independent ; Independent
clause clause
; also,
; as a result,
; besides,
; certainly,
; consequently,
; finally,
; furthermore,
; however,
Method 4 ; incidentally,
Use a semicolon and ; in addition,
a conjunctive adverb ; in fact,
; instead,
Independent ; likewise, Independent
clause ; meanwhile, clause
; moreover,
; nevertheless, (Conjunctive adverbs that are
; next only one syllable do not need a
; on the other hand, comma.)
; otherwise,
; similarly,
; still
; then
; therefore,
; thus
; undoubtedly,
after
although
as
as if
because
before
even though
Method 5 if
Subordination in order that
Independent since Dependent
clause so that clause
though
unless (No comma is needed when a when dependent clause “trails” the whenever independent clause.)
where
whereas
whether
while
After
Although
As
As if
Because
Before
Even though
Method 6 If
In order that
Since Dependent , Independent
So that Clause clause
Though
Unless (When a dependent clause introduces an
Until independent clause, put a comma after it.) When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
Whether
While
We sincerely thank and acknowledge contributions by the following:
Hacker, Diane. The Bedford Handbook. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
Langan, John. English Skills. 8th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2007.
This handout made available by Writing Center staff for the Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Campus Writing Center. 2009.
Practice Correcting Run-on Sentences
The following sentences are all run-ons. Correct them using any of the methods found on your worksheet. There may be more than one correct answer.
1. The girls played basketball the boys played tennis.
2. Einstein is famous for E=mc² Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.
3. Titanic is my favorite movie I love eating popcorn.
4. Americans shake hands when they meet the Japanese bow.
5. Mother's Day is always on a Sunday Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
6. William loved visiting Montreal Sally preferred just to stay in Quebec.
7. My car broke down I need to buy a new one.
8. At one time few people had enough money to buy books few people could read books.
9. I want to learn Korean Trudy wants to learn Turkish.
10. He adds that in some cases that is indeed true, after all the child has to divide his or her attention between two languages.
11. She does not remember her exact age, but it must be almost 90 already, after all she has already lived to see two kings, one revolution and three presidents.
12. Neighborly help flourishes in the country, social contacts are simpler and longerlasting than in the cities.
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