Run On Sentences

Your goal:

• Understand and identify run on sentences.

Run On Sentences

Run-on sentences are grammatical errors that occur when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. These sentences can lack the necessary punctuation or coordination, resulting in an excessively long sentence that may confuse the reader due to its lack of clarity or structure.

Characteristics of Run-On Sentences:

• Absence of Proper Punctuation: Run-on sentences often lack the necessary punctuation (such as periods, commas, or semicolons) needed to separate independent clauses.
• No Coordinating Conjunctions: They may lack coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” “yet,” etc.) that would help connect independent clauses properly.

Types of Run-On Sentences:

• Comma Splices: These occur when two independent clauses are joined together only by a comma, which is insufficient to separate them.
  • Example: “She woke up early, she didn’t have time for breakfast.”
• Fused Sentences (Lack of Punctuation): These involve combining independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunctions.
  • Example: “The weather was beautiful we decided to go for a picnic.”

How to Correct Run-On Sentences:

• Use a Period: Separate the independent clauses into two distinct sentences with a period.
  • Correction: “The weather was beautiful. We decided to go for a picnic.”
• Use a Semicolon: If the clauses are closely related, use a semicolon to connect them.
  • Correction: “She woke up early; she didn’t have time for breakfast.”
• Use a Coordinating Conjunction: Add a coordinating conjunction to connect the independent clauses.
  • Correction: “The weather was beautiful, so we decided to go for a picnic.”
• Use a Comma + Coordinating Conjunction: Combine the clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
  • Correction: “She woke up early, but she didn’t have time for breakfast.”

Practise

Can you correct this sentence:

I woke up late this morning I missed the bus I had to walk to school it was raining and I got soaked.

Importance of Correcting Run-On Sentences:

• Clarity: Correcting run-on sentences ensures clarity and readability, helping readers understand the intended meaning without confusion.
• Grammar and Writing Style: Proper sentence structure and punctuation contribute to effective writing, maintaining coherence and professionalism.

Understanding and correcting run-on sentences are essential in improving writing skills and ensuring clear communication by using appropriate punctuation and conjunctions to join clauses properly.