Chapter 1: An Introduction to Writing:



Chapter 23: Run-Ons

I) Introduction

a. A run-on is two complete sentences that are run together with no adequate sign give to mark the break between them.

II) Fused Sentences

a. Some run-ons have no punctuation at all to mark the break between the thoughts. Such run-ons are known as fused sentences.

i. Example: My grades are very good this semester my social life rates only a C.

b. In the example above, notice that the two thoughts are fused, or joined together, as if they were only one thought.

III) Comma Splices

a. In other run-ons, a comma is used to connect, or “splice” together, the two complete thoughts. However, a comma is not enough to connect two complete sentences, so a comma splice results

i. Example: My grades are very good this semester, my social life rates only a C.

b. In the example above, a stronger connection that a comma alone is needed, such as a period or semicolon.

IV) Correction Method 1: Period and a Capital Letter

a. Correct the run-on by putting a period at the end of the first thought and a capital letter at the start of the next.

b. Use this method especially if the thoughts are not closely related or if another method would make the sentence too long.

i. Example: A felt-tip pen is easy to ruin, just leave it lying around without its cap.

ii. Correction: A felt-tip pen is easy to ruin. Just leave it lying around without its cap.

V) Correction Method 2: Comma and a Conjunction

a. A second way of a correcting a run-on is to use a comma plus a joining word to connect the two complete thoughts.

b. Remember your conjunctions with FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

i. Example: His feet hurt from the long hike, his stomach was growling.

ii. Correction: His feet hurt from the long hike, and his stomach was growling.

c. Conjunction Junction Rundown:

i. For = because, the reason why, the cause of something

ii. And = in addition to, along with

iii. Nor = not

iv. But = however, except, on the other hand, just the opposite

v. Or = otherwise

vi. Yet = though, still, nevertheless

vii. So = as a result, therefore

VI) Correction Method 3: Semicolon

a. A semicolon (;) is made up of a period above a comma and is sometimes called a strong comma. The semicolon signals more of a pause than a comma alone but not quite the full pause of a period.

b. Unlike the comma, a semicolon can two complete sentences. It can add sentence variety, but if you are not comfortable using it, you can always use the first two correction methods.

i. Example: The restaurant was beautiful; the food was overpriced.

c. A semicolon can also be used with a transitional word and a comma to connect two complete sentences.

i. Example: We were short of money; therefore, we decided not to eat out that weekend.

d. Here is a list of transitional words that can be used with a semicolon and a comma.

|Transitional Word |Meaning |

|However |But |

|Nevertheless |But |

|On the other hand |But |

|Instead |As a substitute |

|Meanwhile |In the intervening time |

|Otherwise |Under other conditions |

|Indeed |In fact |

|In addition |And |

|Also |And |

|Moreover |And |

|Furthermore |And |

|As a result |In consequence |

|Thus |As a result |

|Consequently |As a result |

|Therefore |As a result |

VII) Correction Method 4: Subordination

a. Subordination is a way of showing that one thought in a sentence is not as important as another. When we separate a less important thought with a subordination, we create a subordinate clause (sometimes called a dependent clause).

b. Common Dependent Words

|After |Before |Unless |

|Although |Even though |Until |

|As |If |When |

|Because |Since |While |

i. Example: Because it rained all week, parts of the highway were flooded.

ii. Example 2: Although my grades are very good this year, my social life rates only a C

c. Note: When a subordinate clause appears at the end of a sentence, you do not use a comma to connect them.

i. Example: Parts of the highway were flooded because it rained all week.

ii. Example 2: My social life rates a C although my grades are very good this year.

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