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Run On Sentences

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FELIPE, GLAISEN PEARL M.
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14 views

Run On Sentences

Uploaded by

FELIPE, GLAISEN PEARL M.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RUN-ON SENTENCES

Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence results from two or more


complete sentences being connected
without any punctuation.
Determining a Run-On Sentence

• more than one independent clause is present in the same


sentence without punctuation
• if there are two subjects (who or what the sentence is
about) or
a subject and its pronoun (he, she, it, they etc.)
in the same sentence and they are not separated with
proper punctuation
Example:

I ran across the road it was very dangerous.


• two independent clause

I ran across the road (.) It was very dangerous.


• fixed with proper punctuation
NOTE! Comma Splice

Be careful not to turn a run-on sentence into a comma


splice.

• A comma splice is an error that results from using a single


comma to separate two independent clauses.
• Run-on sentences cannot be fixed with a single comma.
NOTE! Comma Splice

Example of a comma splice

Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to


indicate their preference.

Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time.


Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their preference.
NOTE! Comma Splice
Some comma splices occur when a writer attempts to use a transitional
expression in the middle of a sentence.

Example of a comma splice


The results of the study were inconclusive, therefore more research
needs to be done on the topic.

Sentence 1: The results of the study were inconclusive


Transitional expression (conjunctive adverb): therefore
Sentence 2: More research needs to be done on the topic
NOTE! Comma Splice

To fix this type of comma splice, use a semicolon before the


transitional expression and add a comma after it.

Revision:
The results of the study were inconclusive; therefore, more
research needs to be done on the topic.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

1. USE A PERIOD.
The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence
into smaller sentences using a period. This revision works
especially well with longer sentences. Check, however, to
make sure that this solution does not result in short, choppy
sentences.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

1. USE A PERIOD.

Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day


if I had the time.
Revision: I love to write papers. I would write one every day
if I had the time.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

2. USE A SEMICOLON
Inserting a semicolon between independent
clauses creates a grammatically correct sentence. Using
a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes a close
relationship between the two sentences.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

2. USE A SEMICOLON

Example: I love to write papers I would write one every


day if I had the time.
Revision: I love to write papers; I would write one every
day if I had the time.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

3. USE A COMMA AND A COORDINATING


CONJUNCTION.
A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction (e.g.,
"and," "but," or "or"), corrects a run-on sentence. This
method emphasizes the relationship between the two clauses.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

3. USE A COMMA AND A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION.

Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.
Revision: I love to write papers, and I would write one every day if I had the
time.

Example: Our parents did not like the loud music we could not stop dancing.
Revision: Our parents did not like the loud music, but we could not stop
dancing.
IMPROVING RUN-ON SENTENCES

4. USE A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION.


Turn one of the independent clauses into
a dependent clause. A subordinating conjunction (e.g.,
"because," "unless," and "although") connects two clauses to
create a complex sentence. This option works to cement the
relationship between the two parts of the sentence and may
improve the flow of the clauses.
References
• https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsent
ences
• https://www.msvu.ca/campus-life/centre-for-academic-advising-and-
student-success/writing-centre/handouts-for-specific-writing-
issues/run-on-sentences/

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