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

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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).


When there is no comma, the run-on sentence is ''fused'' (Hacker 200).
:::'''Example:'''
::::I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of bread.


: '''Fused''': I purchased most of what I needed at the store they were out of milk.


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.
:'''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 ==
== The Rules ==
To avoid a run-on sentence:
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).
# 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).
# 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).
# Turn one clause into a [[What are “subordinating conjunctions”?|subordinating clause]] (Hult 722).
* Make the clauses into seperate sentences (Hacker 202).
# Make the clauses into separate sentences (Hacker 202).


== Usage ==
== Usage ==
=== Semicolon ===
=== Semicolon ===
If the clauses are equally important, use a semicolon to separate them (Hult 723).
: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 the sentence flow and clarity (Faigley 581):
: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 ===
=== 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 ===
=== 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 ===
=== 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 ==
== Links ==
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*[http://www.stevens.edu/wit/grammar/run-on_sentences.shtml Writing Instruction Tutorial]
*[http://www.stevens.edu/wit/grammar/run-on_sentences.shtml Writing Instruction Tutorial]


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


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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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