Run-On Sentences|Definition & Examples

Run-on sentences can sneak into your writing and make it harder for your readers to follow what you’re trying to say. Whether you’re telling a story or writing an essay, knowing how to spot and fix run-on sentences is an essential skill. In this post, we will dive deep into understanding what a run-on sentence is, why it happens, and how to fix it. Let’s make sure your writing stays sharp, clear, and easy to read!

What are a Run-on Sentences?

A run-on sentence is a sentence that improperly combines two or more independent clauses without the correct punctuation. This usually happens when you rush to connect ideas and forget to use proper punctuation like commas or periods.

For example:

• “I love pizza it’s my favorite food.”
  This sentence is hard to read because there’s no punctuation separating the two complete ideas.

A run-on sentence doesn’t necessarily mean the sentence is long. The problem is that it jams multiple ideas together without proper pauses. Even short sentences can be run-on if the punctuation is incorrect.

For instance:

• “She ran I followed.”
  Even though this is a short sentence, it’s still a run-on sentence because it joins two independent clauses without the right punctuation.

By understanding how run-on sentences work, you’ll become a better writer and avoid confusing your readers.

Why Run-on Sentences Happen

Run-on sentences often happen for simple reasons. Here are the three most common causes:

Missing Punctuation

The most common reason for run-on sentences is the lack of punctuation. Many people forget to add periods or commas when they combine independent clauses, leading to long and confusing sentences. For example:

• “I went to the store I bought apples and bananas.”

This is a classic run-on sentence because there’s no punctuation between the two ideas.

Misusing Coordinating Conjunctions

When using coordinating conjunctions like and, but, or so, it’s important to make sure you’re joining clauses correctly. These words help link ideas, but if you don’t use proper punctuation along with them, you end up with a run-on sentence. For example:

• “He wanted to go to the park but it started raining.”

Without a comma before but, this sentence becomes a run-on.

Comma Splices

A comma splice is when you use a comma to join two independent clauses instead of using proper punctuation like a period or semicolon. For example:

• “The movie was great, I want to watch it again.”

A comma is not enough to separate these two complete ideas. Instead, you need a semicolon or a period.

Run-on sentences are easy mistakes to make, especially when writing quickly, but they can make your writing hard to follow. By understanding what causes run-on sentences, you can start recognizing and fixing them in your writing.

Types of Run-on Sentences

There are two main types of run-on sentences: fused sentences and comma splices. Both of these mistakes make writing confusing and difficult to read, but they are easy to fix once you know how to identify them.

Fused Sentences

A fused sentence is when two independent clauses are joined together with no punctuation at all. This creates a confusing sentence where one thought immediately runs into another. For example:

• “I love reading books they take me to another world.”

Here, there is no punctuation between the two complete thoughts, making it a fused sentence.

To fix a fused sentence, you need to add either a period, semicolon, or comma and a conjunction between the two clauses. For example:

• “I love reading books. They take me to another world.”
• “I love reading books; they take me to another world.”
• “I love reading books, and they take me to another world.”

Comma Splices

A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined together with just a comma. A comma alone is not strong enough to separate two complete ideas. For example:

• “The sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day.”

This is a comma splice because the two independent thoughts are separated by only a comma. To fix a comma splice, you need to use a stronger punctuation mark or a conjunction. For example:

• “The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day.”
• “The sun is shining; it’s a beautiful day.”
• “The sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day.”

By learning to spot and fix these two types of run-on sentences, you’ll improve your writing and make it much easier to read.

How to Identify Run-on Sentences

Identifying run-on sentences in your own writing can be tricky at first, but there are a few simple strategies you can use to catch them.

Read Aloud

One of the easiest ways to catch run-on sentences is by reading your writing out loud. When you speak, you naturally pause where punctuation should be. If you find yourself rushing through sentences or getting out of breath, there’s a good chance you have a run-on sentence.

Look for Independent Clauses

Another strategy is to look for independent clauses in your sentences. Remember, an independent clause has a subject and a verb, and it can stand alone as a complete sentence. If you have more than one independent clause in a sentence, make sure they are properly joined with punctuation or a conjunction.

Use a Grammar Checker

Many online grammar checkers can help identify run-on sentences. These tools highlight places where punctuation is missing or where a comma splice has occurred. While these tools shouldn’t replace careful proofreading, they can be a helpful extra check.

Pay Attention to Sentence Length

While not all long sentences are run-ons, sentence length can be a clue. If a sentence feels long and complicated, there’s a good chance it’s either a run-on or a sentence fragment. Breaking these sentences into smaller parts can help improve clarity and readability.

Using these methods, you’ll start to catch run-on sentences and correct them before they make your writing unclear.

How to Fix Run-on Sentences

Once you’ve identified a run-on sentence, the next step is to fix it. There are several ways to correct run-on sentences and make your writing clearer and easier to understand.

Use Proper Punctuation

One of the simplest ways to fix a run-on sentence is to add the right punctuation. If you have two independent clauses, you can separate them with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and a conjunction.

For example:

• “I went to the store I bought apples and bananas.”
  This can be fixed in three ways:
  • “I went to the store. I bought apples and bananas.”
  • “I went to the store; I bought apples and bananas.”
  • “I went to the store, and I bought apples and bananas.”

Break Up Long Sentences

Another way to fix a run-on sentence is to break it into two or more sentences. This can make your writing clearer and more concise. For example:

• “He was tired after the long day at school so he decided to take a nap because he had to do homework later.”

This sentence can be broken up into shorter sentences:

• “He was tired after the long day at school. He decided to take a nap because he had to do homework later.”

Use Coordinating Conjunctions Correctly

If you’re joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or so, make sure to add a comma before the conjunction. This is a simple but important rule to avoid run-on sentences.

For example:

• “I wanted to go swimming but it started to rain.”

This can be fixed by adding a comma before but:

• “I wanted to go swimming, but it started to rain.”

By using proper punctuation and coordinating conjunctions, you can fix your run-on sentences and create clearer writing.

Run-on Sentences Examples (With Corrections)

Let’s look at some more examples of run-on sentences and how to fix them:

1. Run-on Sentence:
   • “I love ice cream it’s my favorite dessert.”
     Correction:
   • “I love ice cream. It’s my favorite dessert.”
   • “I love ice cream; it’s my favorite dessert.”
   • “I love ice cream, and it’s my favorite dessert.”
2. Run-on Sentence:
   • “The dog was barking the neighbor came to check what was going on.”
     Correction:
   • “The dog was barking. The neighbor came to check what was going on.”
   • “The dog was barking; the neighbor came to check what was going on.”
3. Run-on Sentence:
   • “She didn’t like the movie she thought it was too long.”
     Correction:
   • “She didn’t like the movie. She thought it was too long.”
   • “She didn’t like the movie, and she thought it was too long.”

By looking at these examples, you can see how adding punctuation or breaking up sentences makes the writing easier to read and understand.

Why Avoiding Run-on Sentences Is Important

So why is it so important to avoid run-on sentences? Clear writing makes your ideas easy to follow and understand. If your sentences run on without proper punctuation, readers may get confused and lose interest.

Run-on Sentences Confuse Readers

When sentences run together without clear breaks, it becomes harder for readers to know where one idea ends and another begins. This can cause confusion and frustration.

Clear Sentences Improve Your Writing

By avoiding run-on sentences and writing with clear punctuation, you’ll improve the quality of your writing. Clear, concise sentences make your writing more professional and easier to read.

It Shows You Understand Grammar Rules

Avoiding run-on sentences also shows that you have a good grasp of grammar rules. This can help you in school, work, or any writing you do.

How to Improve Your Sentence Structure Overall

Avoiding run-on sentences is just one part of improving your sentence structure. Here are some additional tips for making your writing clearer and more effective.

Vary Your Sentence Length

Using a mix of short and long sentences can make your writing more engaging. If all your sentences are the same length, your writing can feel repetitive. Try to break up long sentences with shorter ones for variety.

Avoid Sentence Fragments

While you’re avoiding run-on sentences, make sure you’re not creating sentence fragments either. A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought that can leave readers confused.

Use Transition Words

Words like however, therefore, and for example help connect ideas smoothly and show the relationship between them. Using these words can help you avoid run-on sentences and make your writing flow better.

FAQs

What is a run-on sentence?

A run-on sentence is when two or more complete ideas (independent clauses) are stuck together without the proper punctuation or linking words. This makes the sentence hard to read. Adding the right punctuation, like a period or comma with a conjunction, can fix it.

Why should I avoid run-on sentences?

Run-on sentences confuse readers because they combine ideas without clear breaks. Fixing them makes your writing clearer and easier to understand. Clear sentences show that you understand basic grammar rules.

How do I fix a run-on sentence?

To fix a run-on sentence, you can add a period, semicolon, or a comma with a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or so. Breaking the sentence into two shorter ones also works. The goal is to make each idea stand alone or be properly linked.

What is a comma splice?

A comma splice is when two complete ideas are joined with just a comma, without a conjunction or proper punctuation. This is a mistake because a comma alone isn’t strong enough to separate the ideas. Use a period or semicolon instead.

How can I avoid run-on sentences in my writing?

To avoid run-on sentences, try reading your sentences out loud and listen for natural pauses. If a sentence feels too long or confusing, you may need to add punctuation or break it into shorter sentences. Using a grammar checker can also help spot run-ons.

Conclusion

In conclusion, run-on sentences are a common mistake that can make your writing confusing and hard to read. But with the right strategies, they are easy to fix. By using proper punctuation, breaking up long sentences, and learning to recognize fused sentences and comma splices, you can improve your sentence structure and write more clearly. Remember to read your writing out loud, pay attention to punctuation, and practice creating clear, concise sentences.