Run-on sentences
Topics
- what makes a run-on?
- comma splice
- How to fix run-on sentences.
Run-on sentences
Run-on sentences are sentences in which independent clauses are joined without the right connectors. They end up sounding like a disjointed stream-of-consciousness, like what you'd hear if a toddler is telling a story. The most common kind of run-on is a comma splice, which is a sentence where two independent clauses are connected with just a comma.
What are the right connectors, you ask? Well, let me tell you:
- A period. (in other words, make more than one sentence!)
- A semicolon (at last, the true use of this obscure glyph has been revealed)
- A comma followed by a coordinating conjunction like and, or, but, etc.
- A comma followed by a subordinating conjuction to make a dependent clause (so, therefore, then, etc).
When you run across a run-on in the wild, use one of those strategies to repair it.
Lesson, Readings, and Examples
From the ACE book: 8 - real-world context elaboration.
Fix these:
- She went to the store and she bought some milk and eggs for breakfast tomorrow.
- The movie was fantastic, the actors delivered powerful performances the special effects were stunning.
- I need to study for my exam I haven't opened my textbook all week I'm really worried about failing.
- It started raining heavily, we didn't have umbrellas and everyone got completely soaked.
- The dog barked loudly; the mailman quickly walked away he seemed frightened by the noise.
Media resources
- Youtube search for "what makes a run-on?"
- Youtube search for "comma splice"
- Youtube search for "How to fix run-on sentences."