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

Revision as of 12:16, 11 July 2006

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.

Comma and Coordinating Conjunction

Subordinating Clause

Sentences

Links

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.

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-== Run-on sentences ==
+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, 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'''. When there is no comma, these clauses become harder to recognize. 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 television I should turn it off''. Just because a sentence is very long, though, it does not necessarily mean that it is a run-on. On one of the works I have cited below will have a link to a 239 word sentence. This quite long sentence is strucually correct, although it is not something you might want to use too much on papers or on-line entries.
-== Avoiding Run-on sentences ==
+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).
-* A really easy way to join the two independent clauses together is by a '''semicolon'''. When using a semicolon, though, one must remember that the two ideas have to be closely related to one another.
-* The second way to join the two independent clauses  without having a run-on is to use either coordinating conjunctions or subordinating conjunctions.
-== Types of Conjunctures==
+: '''Comma splice''': I purchased most of what I needed at the store, they were out of milk.
-=== Coordinating Conjunctures ===
+When there is no comma, the run-on sentence is ''fused'' (Hacker 200).
-When using a coordinating conjunction, remeber this pattern [independent clause/ comma/ coordinating conjuntion/ indpendent clause]. Below is a list of ways to use coordinating conjunctures.
+: '''Fused''': I purchased most of what I needed at the store they were out of milk.
-'''Examples'''
+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.
-*Use ''and'' to indicate the addition of the second independent clause.
-*Use ''but'' or ''yet'' to indicate contrast between two independent clauses.
-*Use ''or'' to indicate a choice or alternative between two independent clauses.
-*Use ''for'' to indicate that the second independent clause is the cause of the first.
-*Use ''so'' to indicate that the second independent clause is the result of the first.
-=== Subordinating Conjunctures ===
+== The Rules ==
+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 seperate sentences (Hacker 202).
-With subordinating conjunctures, there are two patterns you can use. The first [independent clause/subordinating conjuncture/independent clause] and the second is [subordinating conjuncture/independent clause/comma/independent clause]. Here are some ways to use subordinating conjunctures:
+== Usage ==
+=== Semicolon ===
+If the clauses are equally important, use a semicolon to separate them (Hult 723).
-'''Examples'''
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; they were out of milk.
-*Use ''after, before, once, until, when,'' and ''where'' to indicate time relationships.
-*Use ''because'' and ''since'' to indicate a reason.
-*Use ''if'' to indicate cause and effect.
-*Use ''unless'' to indicate a negative cause and effect.
-*Use ''although'' and ''(even) though'' to indicate "in spite of".
-== Work Cited ==
+A [[What are “conjunctive adverbs”?|transitional word]] might also help the sentence flow and clarity (Faigley 581):
-[http://www.tillyer.net/GLOW/fsi167.htm Grammar Lessons On the Web]
-[http://ace.acadiau.ca/english/grammar/runon.htm The Grammar Outlaw]
+: I purchased most of what I needed at the store; however, they were out of milk.
-[http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Run-on Sentences]
-[http://www.stevens.edu/wit/grammar/run-on_sentences.shtml Writing Instruction Tutorial]
+=== Comma and Coordinating Conjunction ===
+=== Subordinating Clause ===
+=== Sentences ===
+== 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]
+== 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.
+[[Category:Composition]]