A run-on sentence is a sentence that accommodates two or extra unbiased clauses that aren’t correctly separated by a comma or a semicolon. This could make the sentence tough to learn and perceive.
For instance, the next is a run-on sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is tough to learn as a result of it’s not clear the place one sentence ends and the opposite begins. We will repair this by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the 2 clauses.
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
Each of those sentences are right as a result of they use correct punctuation to separate the 2 unbiased clauses.
Now that we all know what a run-on sentence is, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at tips on how to keep away from them.
What’s a Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence happens when two or extra unbiased clauses are joined with out correct punctuation.
- Impartial clauses joined with out punctuation
- Troublesome to learn and perceive
- Use comma or semicolon to separate clauses
- Comma + coordinating conjunction
- Semicolon with out conjunction
- Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
- Test for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
- Use em sprint or colon for dramatic impact
- Fluctuate sentence construction for readability
- Proofread for run-on sentences
By following the following tips, you possibly can keep away from run-on sentences and write clear, concise prose.
Impartial clauses joined with out punctuation
One of the frequent methods to create a run-on sentence is to affix two or extra unbiased clauses with out utilizing any punctuation. This could make it tough for the reader to know the place one sentence ends and the following begins.
For instance, the next sentence is a run-on sentence as a result of the 2 unbiased clauses are joined with none punctuation:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
We will repair this run-on sentence by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the 2 unbiased clauses:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
Each of those sentences are actually grammatically right as a result of the unbiased clauses are correctly separated.
Listed below are some extra examples of run-on sentences which might be brought on by unbiased clauses being joined with out punctuation:
The solar was shining the birds have been singing. I went to the shop I purchased some groceries. She likes to learn she additionally loves to write down.
All of those sentences will be mounted by including a comma or a semicolon to separate the unbiased clauses.
It is very important notice that not all sentences which have two or extra unbiased clauses are run-on sentences. If the unbiased clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (similar to and, however, or, nor, for, so, or but), then the sentence will not be a run-on sentence. For instance, the next sentence will not be a run-on sentence as a result of the 2 unbiased clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction “and”:
The cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball.
Troublesome to learn and perceive
Run-on sentences will be tough to learn and perceive as a result of they will make it tough for the reader to observe the move of the sentence. When two or extra unbiased clauses are joined with out correct punctuation, the reader could need to cease and reread the sentence with a view to determine what the writer is attempting to say.
For instance, think about the next run-on sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is tough to learn and perceive as a result of the reader has to cease and determine the place one sentence ends and the following begins. The reader can also need to reread the sentence with a view to perceive the connection between the 2 clauses.
Now, let’s take a look at the identical sentence with correct punctuation:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
This sentence is way simpler to learn and perceive as a result of the semicolon separates the 2 unbiased clauses. The reader can now simply see that the cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball. The reader also can perceive the connection between the 2 clauses: the canine chased the ball as a result of the cat sat on the mat.
Listed below are some extra examples of run-on sentences which might be tough to learn and perceive:
I went to the shop I purchased some groceries. She likes to learn she additionally loves to write down. The solar was shining the birds have been singing.
All of those sentences are tough to learn and perceive as a result of the unbiased clauses will not be correctly separated. The reader has to cease and reread the sentences with a view to perceive what the writer is attempting to say.
By avoiding run-on sentences, you can also make your writing simpler to learn and perceive. Your readers will respect it!
Use comma or semicolon to separate clauses
The most typical strategy to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a comma or a semicolon to separate the unbiased clauses.
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Use a comma + coordinating conjunction
If you use a comma to separate two unbiased clauses, you will need to additionally use a coordinating conjunction (similar to and, however, or, nor, for, so, or but). For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop, however I forgot my pockets.
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Use a semicolon and not using a conjunction
You may also use a semicolon to separate two unbiased clauses, however you do not want to make use of a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop; I forgot my pockets.
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Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
Don’t use a comma to separate two unbiased clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (similar to though, as a result of, since, until, or till). That is referred to as a comma splice, and it’s a grammatical error. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball. (right)
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Test for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
Lastly, verify for fused sentences, which happen when two unbiased clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. Fused sentences are additionally grammatical errors. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (incorrect)
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball. (right)
By following the following tips, you need to use commas and semicolons accurately to separate unbiased clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Comma + coordinating conjunction
One of the frequent methods to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a comma adopted by a coordinating conjunction to affix the 2 unbiased clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are phrases like and, however, or, nor, for, so, and but. They’re used to attach two phrases, phrases, or clauses which might be grammatically equal.
If you use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to affix two unbiased clauses, the comma goes earlier than the coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop, however I forgot my pockets.
She likes to learn, and she or he additionally loves to write down.
Utilizing a comma and a coordinating conjunction is an easy and efficient strategy to repair a run-on sentence. Nonetheless, there are some things to bear in mind:
- Don’t use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to affix two clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions are phrases like though, as a result of, since, until, and till. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
It is a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball.
- Don’t use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to affix two clauses if the second clause is a fraction. A fraction is an incomplete sentence that can’t stand by itself. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and chasing the ball. (incorrect)
It is a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
By following the following tips, you need to use commas and coordinating conjunctions accurately to affix unbiased clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Semicolon with out conjunction
One other strategy to repair a run-on sentence is to make use of a semicolon to separate the 2 unbiased clauses. A semicolon is a stronger type of punctuation than a comma, so it’s used when the 2 clauses are carefully associated however not as carefully associated as two clauses which might be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
If you use a semicolon to affix two unbiased clauses, you do not want to make use of a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the canine chased the ball.
I went to the shop; I forgot my pockets.
She likes to learn; she additionally loves to write down.
Utilizing a semicolon and not using a conjunction is an efficient strategy to create a extra formal and complex tone in your writing. Nonetheless, it is very important use semicolons accurately. Right here are some things to bear in mind:
- Don’t use a semicolon to affix two clauses that aren’t carefully associated. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; the sky is blue. (incorrect)
These two clauses will not be carefully associated, so a semicolon will not be acceptable. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat. The sky is blue.
- Don’t use a semicolon to affix two clauses if the second clause begins with a coordinating conjunction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; and the canine chased the ball. (incorrect)
It is a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
- Don’t use a semicolon to affix two clauses if the second clause is a fraction. For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; chasing the ball. (incorrect)
It is a comma splice, which is a grammatical error. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
By following the following tips, you need to use semicolons accurately to affix unbiased clauses and keep away from run-on sentences.
Keep away from comma splice: comma + subordinating conjunction
A comma splice is a grammatical error that happens when two unbiased clauses are joined with solely a comma. Subordinating conjunctions are phrases like though, as a result of, since, until, and till. They’re used to attach a dependent clause to an unbiased clause.
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Don’t use a comma to affix two unbiased clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
It is a comma splice. The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat as a result of the canine was chasing the ball.
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Use a semicolon to affix two unbiased clauses if the second clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat; though the canine was chasing the ball, the cat didn’t transfer.
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Use a comma + coordinating conjunction to affix two unbiased clauses if the second clause doesn’t start with a subordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
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Revise the sentence to keep away from utilizing a comma splice.
For instance, you possibly can rewrite the next sentence to keep away from a comma splice:
The cat sat on the mat, though the canine was chasing the ball. (incorrect)
as:
Though the canine was chasing the ball, the cat sat on the mat.
By following the following tips, you possibly can keep away from comma splices and write grammatically right sentences.
Test for fused sentences: no punctuation or conjunction
A fused sentence is a grammatical error that happens when two unbiased clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. This could make the sentence tough to learn and perceive.
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Search for sentences which might be lacking a comma or semicolon.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence is lacking a comma or semicolon after “mat.” The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
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Search for sentences which might be lacking a coordinating conjunction.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat and the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence is lacking a coordinating conjunction after “mat.” The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat, and the canine chased the ball.
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Search for sentences which have two verbs however just one topic.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat chased the ball. (fused sentence)
This sentence has two verbs (“sat” and “chased”) however just one topic (“cat”). The proper strategy to write this sentence is:
The cat sat on the mat and chased the ball.
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Revise the sentence to keep away from the fused sentence.
For instance, you possibly can rewrite the next sentence to keep away from a fused sentence:
The cat sat on the mat the canine chased the ball. (fused sentence)
as:
The cat sat on the mat. The canine chased the ball.
By following the following tips, you possibly can verify for and keep away from fused sentences in your writing.
Use em sprint or colon for dramatic impact
Whereas commas, semicolons, and coordinating conjunctions are the commonest methods to affix unbiased clauses, you may also use an em sprint or a colon for dramatic impact. Nonetheless, these punctuation marks must be used sparingly.
Em sprint
An em sprint is an extended sprint that’s used to set off a phrase or clause that’s grammatically unbiased however carefully associated to the remainder of the sentence. Em dashes can be utilized so as to add emphasis, suspense, or shock.
For instance:
The cat sat on the mat — after which the canine got here alongside.
I’ve a shock for you — a brand new pet!
The cat — a sly creature — crept up on the mouse.
Colon
A colon is used to introduce a listing, a citation, or a proof. Colons will also be used to create a way of anticipation or suspense.
For instance:
The next objects are required: a pen, a pocket book, and a calculator.
The president mentioned: “We is not going to hand over.”
The query is: what’s the which means of life?
When used accurately, em dashes and colons can add selection and curiosity to your writing. Nonetheless, it is very important use them sparingly and appropriately.
