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

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.