10 2.3 Run-on Sentences
[Author removed at request of original publisher]
Learning Objectives
- Identify run-on sentences.
- Properly correct run-on sentences.
Run-on sentences happen when two complete sentences (independent clauses) are put together incorrectly.
Run-on with a comma between two complete sentences: Comma Splice
If you separate these two complete sentences (independent clauses) with a comma, you have a type of run-on called a comma splice:
INCORRECT: I walked down to the store, the heat was getting to me.
CORRECT: I walked down to the store. The heat was getting to me.
The comma is not strong enough to hold two sentences together. Why is this? There are logical, common-sense reasons for it. One, certainly, is that since “store” is a noun, and “heat” is a noun, if there is no period, the reader is left wondering what exactly the relationship is between “store” and “heat.” This is because nouns can modify (give information about) other nouns. Once you put in the period, you immediately take away the possible question in the reader’s mind about what the relationship might be between “store” and “heat.” In other words, the period indicates that a new thought is starting here. The reader knows that the noun “heat” is the subject of something, beginning a whole new sentence. Again, this all proves that a sentence is a series of logical-grammatical relationships that the human brain is programmed at birth to know and follow.
Run-on with no punctuation between two complete sentences: Fused Sentences
Run-on sentences happen when two complete sentences (independent clauses) are put together incorrectly. This type of run-on sentence is referred to as a fused sentence:
INCORRECT: I walked down to the store the heat was getting to me.
CORRECT: I walked down to the store. The heat was getting to me.
Since these are two complete thoughts, they need a period between them or a subordinating conjunction between them.
Run-on with an introductory phrase
One of the most common run-on sentences is this type:
INCORRECT: As I walked down to the store the heat was getting to me
CORRECT: As I walked down to the store, the heat was getting to me.
The incorrect version of the sentence above is a run-on because it starts with a subordinating conjunction (again, words like because, since, when, and if) and does not have a comma separating the two sentences.
How to fix a run-on sentence
So, if I have a run-on sentence, which is basically a sentence that doesn’t easily make sense, how do I fix it? There are five options.
Use a coordinating conjunction:
I walked down to the store, for the heat was getting to me.
. . . or use a subordinating conjunction:
I walked down to the store since the heat was getting to me.
. . . or use a semicolon:
I walked down to the store; the heat was getting to me.
. . . or use a conjunctive adverb with a semicolon:
I walked down to the store; indeed, the heat was getting to me.
. . . or use a period and create two sentences.
I walked down to the store. The heat was getting to me.
List of common subordinating conjunctions:
Because
If
Since
When
While
As
Before
Wherever
Once
After
Although
Even (if, though)
Unless
Until
Where
List of common conjunctive adverbs:
Also
However
Indeed
Nonetheless
Otherwise
Consequently
Besides
Indeed
Moreover
Similarly
Still
Likewise
Furthermore
Hence
Nevertheless
Next
Therefore
Thus
Practice what you’ve learned in the self-check below.
Now return to the online classroom to complete your next task.
“You, Writing!” by Glynn, Alexandra Hallsten-Erickson, Kelli Swing, and Amy Jo is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
