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

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).

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

* 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.