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. 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 t.v.,I should turn it off,".
 
Two types of run-on sentences: 
 
:'''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).
 
:::'''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:
# 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 00:45, 12 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