A run-on sentence is a sentence that accommodates two or extra impartial clauses that aren’t correctly separated by a comma or a semicolon. This could make the sentence troublesome to learn and perceive.
For instance, the next is a run-on sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is troublesome to learn as a result of it’s not clear the place one sentence ends and the opposite begins. We will repair this by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the 2 clauses.
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
Each of those sentences are appropriate as a result of they use correct punctuation to separate the 2 impartial clauses.
Now that we all know what a run-on sentence is, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the way to keep away from them.
What’s a Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence happens when two or extra impartial clauses are joined with out correct punctuation.
- Impartial clauses joined with out punctuation
- Troublesome to learn and perceive
- Use comma or semicolon to separate clauses
- Comma + coordinating conjunction
- Semicolon with out conjunction
- Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
- Examine for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
- Use em sprint or colon for dramatic impact
- Fluctuate sentence construction for readability
- Proofread for run-on sentences
By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to keep away from run-on sentences and write clear, concise prose.
Impartial clauses joined with out punctuation
One of the crucial widespread methods to create a run-on sentence is to hitch two or extra impartial clauses with out utilizing any punctuation. This could make it troublesome for the reader to grasp the place one sentence ends and the subsequent begins.
For instance, the next sentence is a run-on sentence as a result of the 2 impartial clauses are joined with none punctuation:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
We will repair this run-on sentence by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the 2 impartial clauses:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
Each of those sentences at the moment are grammatically appropriate as a result of the impartial clauses are correctly separated.
Listed below are some extra examples of run-on sentences which might be brought on by impartial clauses being joined with out punctuation:
The solar was shining the birds have been singing. I went to the shop I purchased some groceries. She likes to learn she additionally loves to put in writing.
All of those sentences will be mounted by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the impartial clauses.
It is very important word that not all sentences which have two or extra impartial clauses are run-on sentences. If the impartial clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (similar to and, however, or, nor, for, so, or but), then the sentence isn’t a run-on sentence. For instance, the next sentence isn’t a run-on sentence as a result of the 2 impartial clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction “and”:
The cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball.
Troublesome to learn and perceive
Run-on sentences will be troublesome to learn and perceive as a result of they will make it troublesome for the reader to observe the move of the sentence. When two or extra impartial clauses are joined with out correct punctuation, the reader could must cease and reread the sentence with the intention to determine what the creator is making an attempt to say.
For instance, think about the next run-on sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is troublesome to learn and perceive as a result of the reader has to cease and determine the place one sentence ends and the subsequent begins. The reader may must reread the sentence with the intention to perceive the connection between the 2 clauses.
Now, let us take a look at the identical sentence with correct punctuation:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is way simpler to learn and perceive as a result of the semicolon separates the 2 impartial clauses. The reader can now simply see that the cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball. The reader can even perceive the connection between the 2 clauses: the canine chased the ball as a result of the cat sat on the mat.
Listed below are some extra examples of run-on sentences which might be troublesome to learn and perceive:
I went to the shop I purchased some groceries. She likes to learn she additionally loves to put in writing. The solar was shining the birds have been singing.
All of those sentences are troublesome to learn and perceive as a result of the impartial clauses are usually not correctly separated. The reader has to cease and reread the sentences with the intention to perceive what the creator is making an attempt to say.
By avoiding run-on sentences, you can also make your writing simpler to learn and perceive. Your readers will admire it!
Use comma or semicolon to separate clauses
The most typical approach to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a comma or a semicolon to separate the impartial clauses.
-
Use a comma + coordinating conjunction
Whenever you use a comma to separate two impartial clauses, you should additionally use a coordinating conjunction (similar to and, however, or, nor, for, so, or but). For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop, however I forgot my pockets.
-
Use a semicolon with out a conjunction
You can too use a semicolon to separate two impartial clauses, however you do not want to make use of a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop; I forgot my pockets.
-
Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
Don’t use a comma to separate two impartial clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (similar to though, as a result of, since, until, or till). That is referred to as a comma splice, and it’s a grammatical error. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball. (appropriate)
-
Examine for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
Lastly, test for fused sentences, which happen when two impartial clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. Fused sentences are additionally grammatical errors. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (incorrect)
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball. (appropriate)
By following the following pointers, you should use commas and semicolons appropriately to separate impartial clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Comma + coordinating conjunction
One of the crucial widespread methods to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a comma adopted by a coordinating conjunction to hitch the 2 impartial clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are phrases like and, however, or, nor, for, so, and but. They’re used to attach two phrases, phrases, or clauses which might be grammatically equal.
Whenever you use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to hitch two impartial clauses, the comma goes earlier than the coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop, however I forgot my pockets.
She likes to learn, and she or he additionally loves to put in writing.
Utilizing a comma and a coordinating conjunction is a straightforward and efficient approach to repair a run-on sentence. Nevertheless, there are some things to remember:
- Don’t use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to hitch two clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions are phrases like though, as a result of, since, until, and till. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
This can be a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball.
- Don’t use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to hitch two clauses if the second clause is a fraction. A fraction is an incomplete sentence that can’t stand by itself. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and chasing the ball. (incorrect)
This can be a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
By following the following pointers, you should use commas and coordinating conjunctions appropriately to hitch impartial clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Semicolon with out conjunction
One other approach to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a semicolon to separate the 2 impartial clauses. A semicolon is a stronger type of punctuation than a comma, so it’s used when the 2 clauses are intently associated however not as intently associated as two clauses which might be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Whenever you use a semicolon to hitch two impartial clauses, you do not want to make use of a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop; I forgot my pockets.
She likes to learn; she additionally loves to put in writing.
Utilizing a semicolon with out a conjunction is an efficient approach to create a extra formal and complicated tone in your writing. Nevertheless, you will need to use semicolons appropriately. Right here are some things to remember:
- Don’t use a semicolon to hitch two clauses that aren’t intently associated. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the sky is blue. (incorrect)
These two clauses are usually not intently associated, so a semicolon isn’t acceptable. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat. The sky is blue.
- Don’t use a semicolon to hitch two clauses if the second clause begins with a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; and the canine chased the ball. (incorrect)
This can be a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
- Don’t use a semicolon to hitch two clauses if the second clause is a fraction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; chasing the ball. (incorrect)
This can be a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
By following the following pointers, you should use semicolons appropriately to hitch impartial clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
A comma splice is a grammatical error that happens when two impartial clauses are joined with solely a comma. Subordinating conjunctions are phrases like though, as a result of, since, until, and till. They’re used to attach a dependent clause to an impartial clause.
-
Don’t use a comma to hitch two impartial clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
This can be a comma splice. The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball.
-
Use a semicolon to hitch two impartial clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; though the canine was chasing the ball, the cat didn’t transfer.
-
Use a comma + coordinating conjunction to hitch two impartial clauses if the second clause doesn’t start with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
-
Revise the sentence to keep away from utilizing a comma splice.
For instance, you possibly can rewrite the next sentence to keep away from a comma splice:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
as:
Though the canine was chasing the ball, the cat sat on the mat.
By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to keep away from comma splices and write grammatically appropriate sentences.
Examine for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
A fused sentence is a grammatical error that happens when two impartial clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. This could make the sentence troublesome to learn and perceive.
-
Search for sentences which might be lacking a comma or semicolon.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence is lacking a comma or semicolon after “mat.” The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
-
Search for sentences which might be lacking a coordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence is lacking a coordinating conjunction after “mat.” The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
-
Search for sentences which have two verbs however just one topic.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence has two verbs (“sat” and “chased”) however just one topic (“cat”). The right approach to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
-
Revise the sentence to keep away from the fused sentence.
For instance, you possibly can rewrite the next sentence to keep away from a fused sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
as:
The cat sat on the mat. The canine chased the ball.
By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to test for and keep away from fused sentences in your writing.
Use em sprint or colon for dramatic impact
Whereas commas, semicolons, and coordinating conjunctions are the commonest methods to hitch impartial clauses, you can even use an em sprint or a colon for dramatic impact. Nevertheless, these punctuation marks must be used sparingly.
Em sprint
An em sprint is an extended sprint that’s used to set off a phrase or clause that’s grammatically impartial however intently associated to the remainder of the sentence. Em dashes can be utilized so as to add emphasis, suspense, or shock.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat — after which the canine got here alongside.
I’ve a shock for you — a brand new pet!
The cat — a sly creature — crept up on the mouse.
Colon
A colon is used to introduce a listing, a citation, or an evidence. Colons may also be used to create a way of anticipation or suspense.
For instance:
The next gadgets are required: a pen, a pocket book, and a calculator.
The president stated: “We is not going to quit.”
The query is: what’s the that means of life?
When used appropriately, em dashes and colons can add selection and curiosity to your writing. Nevertheless, you will need to use them sparingly and appropriately.
