What is a “run-on” sentence?

Run-on sentences, also known as "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).

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 comma splice (Hult 721).

Comma splice: I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of milk.

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.

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 milk.

A transitional word might also help the sentence flow and clarity (Faigley 581):

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

Links

• Grammar Lessons On the Web
• The Grammar Outlaw
• Run-on Sentences
• Writing Instruction Tutorial

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.