Identifying Run-On Sentences

Lesson 4 Identifying Run-On Sentences

Field of lavender (courtesy of Pixabay.com Links to an external site.)

Essential Question

How do we identify and correct run-on sentences so that our writing is clear?

Grammar in the World

A run-on sentence isn't just when a person won't stop talking, but the idea is still the same. It's very easy to get distracted while writing and to have a sentence with two complete ideas that is actually punctuated as one sentence. In this lesson, we'll work on identifying and correcting those run-on sentences!

What Do I Know?

Use the interactive exercise below to see what you already know about identifying run-on sentences:

Building Blocks

Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:

Learn About Identifying Run-On Sentences

Sometimes we get so caught up in our writing that we just keep going and going with our ideas and we forget to punctuate at the end of complete thoughts plus it is hard to remember sometimes when sentences need punctuation, we also might think we can just use a comma to separate our ideas when we actually need a period or some other form of punctuation.

Whew! Did you get lost and out of breath reading that one, very long sentence? The sentence above is a rather extreme example of a run-on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are not joined correctly. There are two types of run-on sentences: fused sentences and comma splices.

Fused Sentence

A fused sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation or do not include a conjunction with proper punctuation.

For example, I like to eat taquitos they satisfy my craving for something salty and crunchy is a fused sentence. There are two independent clauses here:

I like to eat taquitos.

They satisfy my craving for something salty and crunchy.

We will talk about different ways to correct run-on sentences soon. For now, just note how a very simple way to correct a fused sentence is to separate the two independent clauses into two sentences separated with a period.

I like to eat taquitos. They satisfy my craving for something salty and crunchy.

Comma Splice

Another type of run-on sentence is a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined together with a comma. If we put a comma between the two independent clauses in the above example, we would have a comma splice:

I like to eat taquitos, they satisfy my craving for something salty and crunchy.

There are several ways to correct run-on sentences.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

1. Separate the run-on sentence into two separate sentences.

While the simplest way to correct a run-on sentence is to end the first independent clause with a period and then start a new sentence, you will want to experiment with different ways to correct run-on sentences so that your writing has variety.

Run-On Sentence	Correct Sentence
Fused sentence: I like to go on a walk in the morning it gives me energy for my day. Comma splice: I like to go on a walk in the morning, it gives me energy for my day.	I like to go on a walk in the morning. It gives me energy for my day.
Fused sentence: I also like to journal in the morning journaling clears my mind. Comma splice: I also like to journal in the morning, journaling clears my mind.	I also like to journal in the morning. Journaling clears my mind.
Fused sentence: My kids do not like to walk or journal in the morning they like to sleep in as long as possible. Comma splice: My kids do not like to walk or journal in the morning, they like to sleep in as long as possible.	My kids do not like to walk or journal in the morning. They like to sleep in as long as possible.

2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence.

To help you remember the most common coordinating conjunctions, remember the acronym FANBOYS.

	Run-On Sentence	Correct Sentence
For	You should celebrate your achievements, you worked very hard to earn them.	You should celebrate your achievements, *for* you worked very hard to earn them.
And	Kevin got a haircut he washed his car.	Kevin got a haircut, *and* he washed his car.
Nor	Stacey doesn't like to do her homework, she does not like to do chores.	Stacey doesn't like to do her homework, *nor* does she like to do chores.
But	Mike would love to stay in bed, he has a big test this afternoon.	Mike would love to stay in bed, *but* he has a big test this afternoon.
Or	Amanda can stay home and study, she can go out with her friends.	Amanda can stay home and study, or she can go out with her friends.
Yet	David hardly ever studies for tests, he gets the highest scores in the class.	David hardly ever studies for tests, *yet* he gets the highest scores in the class.
So	Kevin didn't take out the trash all week, his mom wouldn't let him go out with his friends on the weekend.	Kevin didn't take out the trash all week, so his mom wouldn't let him go out with his friends on the weekend.

3. Use a subordinating conjunction to join the run-on sentences. When you add a subordinating conjunction, you will turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. Sometimes you will need to adjust the wording to make the sentence make sense.

Note that you do not need to use a comma with a subordinating conjunction unless the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

If you study, you will pass the test. (Use a comma because “If you study” is the dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence.)

You will pass the test if you study. (Do not use a comma because “if you study” is not at the beginning of the sentence.)

	Run-On Sentence	Correct Sentence
After	Tom will pick up the dry cleaning, then he will get groceries.	Tom will get groceries *after* he picks up the dry cleaning.
Although	Whitney did not want to go to the wedding, she felt like she should.	Whitney did not want to go to the wedding *although* she felt like she should.
As	Grandma invited us all over she didn’t feel up to traveling.	Grandma invited us all over as she didn’t feel up to traveling.
Because	I am hungry, I skipped breakfast.	I am hungry *because* I skipped breakfast.
Before	Stacey will take a gap year, then she will go to college.	Stacey will take a gap year *before* she goes to college.
Even though	She wanted to go to the party she was grounded	She wanted to go to the party *even though* she was grounded.
If	You should study, you will pass the test.	If you study, you will pass the test.
Since	We have some time let’s play one more round.	*Since* we have some time, let’s play one more round.
Though	He felt scared, he knew it was worth the risk.	*Though* he felt scared, he knew it was worth the risk.
Unless	You should go to school, you should not go to school if you are feeling sick.	You should go to school *unless* you are feeling sick.
Until	The candidate will not concede, he will wait until all of the votes are counted.	The candidate will not concede *until* all the votes are counted.

4. Use a semicolon to join the independent clauses. Use a semicolon to join thoughts that are closely related and of equal value. It is best not to overuse semicolons, but semicolons are a nice stylistic choice when you want to closely link ideas.

Run-On Sentence	Complete Sentence
I love Lakota Coffee Company, in fact, their cold brew is my favorite.	I love Lakota Coffee Company; in fact, their cold brew is my favorite.
The puppy has a lot of energy he needs a walk.	The puppy has a lot of energy; he needs a walk.
My doctor says I have low levels of Vitamin D, I should spend more time in the sun.	My doctor says I have low levels of Vitamin D; I should spend more time in the sun.

Do I Get It?

Use the interactive exercise below to check your knowledge of run-on sentences: