 A run-on is a sentence in which two or

more independent clauses (i.e., complete sentences)

are joined without appropriate punctuation or
conjunction. The run-on sentences are sentences
that lack punctuation.

 There are two basic types of run-on sentences:

1. Fused Sentence 2. Comma Splice
 All the long sentences do not make run-on
sentences. A run-on sentence can be as short as four
words—for instance: I drive she walks. In this case,
there are two independent clauses:
two subjects paired with two intransitive verbs(no
direct object).

 The above example is a run-on sentence because

there is no internal punctuation. In this, the two
complete sentences have been fused together, which
is why run-on sentences are also called Fused
sentences.
Comma splice is a sentence in which two
independent clauses are joined either without a
comma or without an accompanying coordinating
conjunction.
 Train analogy (below): The compartments are
joined together with inadequate coupling devices.

,
Independent Independent Independent
Clause
, Clause Clause
 A comma splice (sometimes called a comma fault or
a run-on sentence) occurs when two sentences (or
independent clauses) are sliced together with only a
comma, a relatively weak mark of punctuation.

 In Fused Sentences, the error looks like this:

Main Clause Ø Main Clause

 Five basic ways of correcting a run-on sentence:

 Comma Plus Coordinating Conjunction

 Semi-colon
 Period and Capital Letter
 Subordinate Clauses
 Conjunctive Adverb
 Rule: Identify the independent clauses.

If there are only two independent clauses, separate

them with a comma plus a coordinating conjunction
(and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet).

Example:
It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town
before dark.
 Rule: If there are more than two independent
clauses in a series, separate the final two
independent clauses with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction.
 Note that independent clauses other than the final
two are separated with commas.

e.g.: I am a woman, I am a truck driver, It is nearly
half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.
 Rule: Identify the independent clauses.
Separate those two or more independent clauses
with a semi-colon. This maintains the connection
between the clauses while ensuring a pause between
the two ideas

Example:
It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town
before dark.
 It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.

 Rule: Identify the

independent clauses.
Example:
 Separate those two or
more independent It is nearly half past five. We
clauses with a period. cannot reach town before
dark.
 Then begin the
following independent
clause with a capital
letter.
 Rule: Determine if one or more of the independent
clauses can be subordinated. If so, subordinate those
clauses.

 The subordinate conjunction has two jobs. First, it

provides a necessary transition between the two
ideas in the sentence. This transition will indicate
a time, place, or cause and effect relationship.
 This includes after, although, as, as far as, as if, as
long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, if,
in order that, since, so, so that, than, though,
unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas,
wherever, while and so on.

Example:
Since it is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town
before dark.
 The most common comma splice error is the
conjunctive adverb comma splice.

 Common conjunctive adverbs: again, also,

besides, consequently, further, furthermore, hence,
however, indeed, likewise, moreover, nevertheless,
nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, then, therefore,
thus
 Rule: When joining independent clauses, the
conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semi-colon and
followed by a comma.

Example:
My car broke down, I need to buy a new one.
(incorrect)
My car broke down; therefore, I need to buy a new
one. (Correct)
Exception: Short, closely related independent
clauses in a sequence can be joined by a comma
only.
Example: I came, I saw, I conquered.

Exception: If the second independent clause is a

question “tag”, a comma may be used between the
clauses.
Example: He does, doesn’t he?
 How to fix the sentence depends on how the
different parts are related to each other and
what tone and rhythm one is trying to achieve.

Example:
My car broke down I need to buy a new one.(Run-on
sentence)
 My car broke down. I need to buy a new one.
 My car broke down; I need to buy a new one.
 My car broke down, so I need to buy a new one.
 My car broke down; therefore I need to buy a new
one.
 Look at the following sentence.
I saw a teacher who cares.
 The author may have wanted to write
I saw a teacher. Who cares?
Using periods (and other forms of punctuation) and
knowing when to end a sentence are very
important. If you don't end a sentence
appropriately, the intended meaning can be changed,
or it can be misunderstood. Sometimes the meaning
is simply incomprehensible.
 There are even more ways to fix run-on sentences,
depending on the relationship between the different
clauses; for example, you could use a colon if the
first clause introduces the second clause.

Example:
There was only one possible explanation: the train
had never arrived.
 Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a
serious accident.
 The airport is about to shut down because of the snow
and if the plane doesn't land soon it will have to go on
to Boston.
 The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
 Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this
is something he could always depend on.
 Throughout history money and religion were closely
linked there was little distinction between government
and religion.