What is a “run-on” sentence?: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:14, 11 July 2013

Run-on sentences or "fused sentences" contain two independent clauses incorrectly joined (Hacker 200). While a sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence, a run-on jams together two or more sentences without the correct punctuation (Faigley 579).

Two types of run on sentences:

Comma splice:

When two independent clauses are connected by a comma, this run-on is called a comma splice (Hult 721).

Example: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of bread.

Fused sentence:

When there is no comma, the run-on sentence is fused (Hacker 200).

Examples: I purchased most of what I needed at the store they were out of bread.

A run-on can be a short sentence, such as, "Nothing is on television I should turn it off." Just because a sentence is long, though, does not necessarily make it a run-on.

The Rules

To avoid a run-on sentence:

Separate the clauses with a semicolon — or a colon or dash, when appropriate (Hacker 202).
Insert a comma and a coordinating conjunction between the clauses (Faigley 581).
Turn one clause into a subordinating clause (Hult 722).
Make the clauses into seperate sentences (Hacker 202).

Usage

Semicolon

If the clauses are equally important, use a semicolon to separate them (Hult 723).

I purchased most of what I needed at the store; they were out of bread.

A transitional word might also help sentence flow and clarity (Faigley 581; Hacker 204):

I purchased most of what I needed at the store; however, they were out of bread.

Comma and Coordinating Conjunction

The easiest, and frequently the best, way of correcting the run-on sentence is by using a comma and a coordinating conjuction. There are seven to choose from: for, and, nor, but, or, yet (Hacker 202).

I purchased most of what I needed at the store, but they were out of bread.

Subordinating Clause

Another option would be to subordinate one of the clauses (Hacker 205).

I purchased most of what I needed at the store, although they were out of bread.

Sentences

Simply making each independent clause a sentence also easily fixes a run-on.

I purchased most of what I needed at the store. They were out of bread.

Links

Works Cited

Faigley, Lester. The Penguin Handbook. New York: Longman, 2003.
Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 5th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.
Hult, Christine A. and Thomas N. Hucklin. The New Century Handbook. 3rd Ed. New York: Longman, 2005.

Composition FAQ

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Run-on sentences, also known as "fused sentences," contain two independent clauses incorrectly joined (Hacker 200). While a [[What is a “sentence fragment”?|sentence fragment]] is an incomplete sentence, a run-on jams together two or more sentences without the correct punctuation (Faigley 579).
+Run-on sentences or "fused sentences" contain two independent clauses incorrectly joined (Hacker 200). While a [[What is a “sentence fragment”?|sentence fragment]] is an incomplete sentence, a run-on jams together two or more sentences without the correct punctuation (Faigley 579).
-Run-on sentences come in two types: the comma splice and the fused sentence. When two independent clauses are connected by a comma, this run-on is called a [[What is a “comma splice”?|comma splice]] (Hult 721).
+Two types of run on sentences:
-: '''Comma splice''': I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of milk.
+: '''Comma splice''':
+When two independent clauses are connected by a comma, this run-on is called a [[What is a “comma splice”?|comma splice]] (Hult 721).
+'''Example:'''
+I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of bread.
+: '''Fused sentence''':
 When there is no comma, the run-on sentence is ''fused'' (Hacker 200).
-: '''Fused''': I purchased most of what I needed at the store they were out of milk.
+'''Examples:'''
+I purchased most of what I needed at the store they were out of bread.
 A run-on can be a short sentence, such as, "Nothing is on television I should turn it off." Just because a sentence is long, though, does not necessarily make it a run-on.
@@ Line 22: / Line 28: @@
 If the clauses are equally important, use a semicolon to separate them (Hult 723).
-: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; they were out of milk.
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; they were out of bread.
 A [[What are “conjunctive adverbs”?|transitional word]] might also help sentence flow and clarity (Faigley 581; Hacker 204):
-: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; however, they were out of milk.
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; however, they were out of bread.
 === Comma and Coordinating Conjunction ===
 The easiest, and frequently the best, way of correcting the run-on sentence is by using a comma and a coordinating conjuction. There are seven to choose from: for, and, nor, but, or, yet (Hacker 202).
-: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, but they were out of milk.
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, but they were out of bread.
 === Subordinating Clause ===
 Another option would be to subordinate one of the clauses (Hacker 205).
-: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, although they were out of milk.
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, although they were out of bread.
 === Sentences ===
 Simply making each independent clause a sentence also easily fixes a run-on.
-: I purchased most of what I needed at the store. They were out of milk.
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store. They were out of bread.
 == Links ==