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

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== Run-on sentences ==
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, also known as "fused sentences", contain two independent clauses, either of which can stand by itself. When these two independent clauses are connected by a comma, it is known as a comma splice. When there is no comma, these clauses become harder to recognize. Another point about run-on sentences is that it really doesn't matter about the length of the sentence. A run-on can be a very short sentence, such as, ''Nothing is on television I should turn it off''. Just because a sentence is very long, though, it does not necessarily mean that it is a run-on. On one of the works I have cited below will have a link to a 239 word sentence. This quite long sentence is strucually correct, although it is not something you might want to use too much on papers or on-line entries. There are, of course, many ways to avoid a run-on sentence. A really easy way to join the two independent clauses together is by a semicolon. When using a semicolon, though, you must remember that the two ideas have to be closely related to one another. The other way to join the two independent clauses  without having a run-on is to use either coordinating conjunctions or subordinating conjunctions. When using a coordinating conjunction, remeber this pattern [independent clause/ comma/ coordinating conjuntion/ indpendent clause]. Below is a list of ways to use coordinating conjunctures.
Coordinating Conjunctures:
*Use ''and'' to indicate the addition of the second independent clause.
*Use ''but'' or ''yet'' to indicate contrast between two independent clauses.
*Use ''or'' to indicate a choice or alternative between two independent clauses.
*Use ''for'' to indicate that the second independent clause is the cause of the first.
*Use ''so'' to indicate that the second independent clause is the result of the first.


With subordinating conjunctures, there are two patterns you can use. The first [independent clause/subordinating conjuncture/independent clause] and the second is [subordinating conjuncture/independent clause/comma/independent clause]. Here are some ways to use subordinating conjunctures:
Two types of run-on sentences:
*Use ''after, before, once, until, when,'' and ''where'' to indicate time relationships.
*Use ''because'' and ''since'' to indicate a reason.
*Use ''if'' to indicate cause and effect.
*Use ''unless'' to indicate a negative cause and effect.
*Use ''although'' and ''(even) though'' to indicate "in spite of".


:'''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).


== Work Cited ==
:::'''Example:'''
[http://www.tillyer.net/GLOW/fsi167.htm Grammar Lessons On the Web]
::::I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of bread.
[http://ace.acadiau.ca/english/grammar/runon.htm The Grammar Outlaw]
 
[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Run-on Sentences]
 
[http://www.stevens.edu/wit/grammar/run-on_sentences.shtml]
:'''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. Just because a sentence is long, though, does not necessarily make it a run-on. 
 
:'''Example:''' Nothing is on television I should turn it off.
 
 
== The Rules ==
Ways to avoid a run-on sentence:
# Separate the clauses with a [[How do you use a semicolon?|semicolon]] — or a colon or dash, when appropriate (Hacker 202).
# Insert a comma and a [[What are “coordinating conjunctions”?|coordinating conjunction]] between the clauses (Faigley 581).
# Turn one clause into a [[What are “subordinating conjunctions”?|subordinating clause]] (Hult 722).
# Make the clauses into separate 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 [[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 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 ==
*[http://www.tillyer.net/GLOW/fsi167.htm Grammar Lessons On the Web]
*[http://ace.acadiau.ca/english/grammar/runon.htm The Grammar Outlaw]
*[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Run-on Sentences]
*[http://www.stevens.edu/wit/grammar/run-on_sentences.shtml Writing Instruction Tutorial]
 
== References ==
# 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]]
 
[[Category:Composition]]

Latest revision as of 23:45, 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. Just because a sentence is long, though, does not necessarily make it a run-on.

Example: Nothing is on television I should turn it off.


The Rules

Ways to avoid a run-on sentence:

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

References

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

Composition FAQ

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