RUN-ONS

• A run-on sentence is two complete thoughts that run together with no adequate sign given to mark the break between them

• or

• Two complete sentences with no break between them

• There are two types of run-on sentences:

• 1. Comma Splices• My grades are good this semester, my social

life is not.

• 2. Fused Sentences• My grades are good this semester my social life

is not.

• In this class we will use the term “run-on” to signal both.

Example (incorrect):

• He threw the ball the dog chased it.

Example (incorrect):

• He threw the ball the dog chased it.

Example (correct):

• He threw the ball. The dog chased it.• He threw the ball; the dog chased it.• He threw the ball, and the dog chased it.• He threw the ball before the dog chased it.

1. A period and a capital letter2. A semicolon3. A comma and a conjunction4. Subordination

1. A period and a capital letter1. He threw the ball. The dog chased it.

2. A semicolon1. He threw the ball; the dog chased it.

3. A comma and a conjunction1. He threw the ball, and the dog chased it.

4. Subordination1. He threw the ball before the dog chased it.

Example (incorrect):

• He threw the ball the dog chased it.

Example (correct):

• He threw the ball. The dog chased it.

• Method #1 To Correct Run-On Sentences

• Use a period and a capital letter at the break.

• This method is especially good when the sentence is really long.

• Example:• He threw the ball the dog chased it.

• He threw the ball. The dog chased it.

• Method #2 To Correct Run-On Sentences

• Use a comma and a joining word (a conjunction)

• There are 7 conjunctions.

CONJUNCTIONS

• For• And• Nor• But• Or • Yet• So

Think of “FANBOYS” to help you remember

Example (correct):

• He threw the ball, and the dog chased it.

• He threw the ball, and the dog chased it.

• He threw the ball, and the dog chased it.

• Before you use the method of comma and conjunction to fix a run-on, make sure you know the definition of each conjunction.

• and = in addition to, along with

• but = however, except, just the opposite

• or = the opposite of a specific choice (otherwise)

• for = because of, the reason why, the cause of something

• so = as a result, therefore

• yet = a specific exception to something

• nor = additionally not, meaning “also a negative”

• and = in addition to

• but = however, except

• for = because, the reason why

• so = as a result, therefore

• Method #3 To Correct Run-On Sentences

• Use a semicolon

• ;

• He threw the ball; the dog chased it.

Example (correct):

• He threw the ball; the dog chased it.

Semicolon Note!!!

• In addition, you may use the semicolon when you’re listing 3 items or more and each of those items contains a comma and/or a conjunction.

• He has lived in Sacramento, California; Portland, Maine; and Springfield, Illinois.

• (correct) He has lived in Sacramento, California; Portland, Maine; and Springfield, Illinois.

• (incorrect) He has lived in Sacramento, California, Portland, Maine, and Springfield, Illinois.

• You can also use a semi-colon and a transition and a comma.

• We were short of money; therefore, we decided not to eat out.

NOTE:

• however = but

• nevertheless = but [it] happened anyway

• on the other hand = but the opposite is [is not] true

• Method #4 To Correct Run-On Sentences

• Subordination: Use dependent words like:• After• Although• As• Because• Before• If• Since• Unless• Until• When• While

Example (correct): Use “after”

• He threw the ball the dog chased it.

• The dog chased the ball after he threw it.

• After he threw the ball, the dog chased it.

• If the dependent word falls in the middle of the

sentence, you do not need a comma.

The dog chased the ball after he threw it.

• However, if the dependent word begins the sentence, you DO need a comma between phrases.

After he threw it, the dog chased the ball

Example (correct): Use “after”

• The dog chased the ball after he threw it.

• After he threw the ball, the dog chased it.

• Subordination is a way to signal your reader that one part of the thought is not as important as the other.