Run on sentences

run-ons, fused sentences, comma splices

1. Fused Sentences and Comma Splices Run-on Sentences

2. Notes for the Following Example Sentences Corrections are marked in red. I have underlined each subject/predicate pair to help you locate them . Remember that subjects and predicates never appear in a prepositional phrase.

3. Two or more independent clauses that have not been joined correctly and run together without the proper punctuation What is a Run-On Sentence?

4. Fused Sentence Comma S plice two or more complete sentences joined together with no punctuation Example : Original: We went to get ice cream I got a chocolate sundae . two or more complete sentences joined by just a comma Example : Original: Sally loves sports, she is a big fan of basketball. Two Types of Run-on Sentences

5. To join two complete sentences together, you must use more than a comma. Rule #1:

6. Correcting Run-on Sentences Run-on sentences can be corrected by: 1) adding a comma with a coordinating conjunction* 2) adding a semi-colon between the clauses 3) adding a period to create separate sentences 4) adding a subordinating conjunction** 5) restructuring the sentence

7. *Coordinating Conjunctions FANBOYS And But Or Nor For So Yet

8. Using Coordinating Conjunctions Create a concise and complex sentence by adding a comma with one of the seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet. Example: Original: You have been pre-approved for auto financing, you must contact us today! Revised: You have been pre-approved for auto financing , but you must contact us today!

9. **Subordinating Conjunctions While As Though When Even if Unless If As long as Where Because Before Since Although Once Until After Now that

10. Using Subordinating Conjunctions If one of the clauses seems to be less important, turn it into a subordinate clause or phrase by using a subordinating conjunction. Example: Original: Many scholars dismiss the abominable snowman of the Himalayas as a myth, others claim it may be a kind of ape. Revised: Although many scholars dismiss the abominable snowman of the Himalayas as a myth , others claim it may be a kind of ape.

11. Correcting Fused Sentences Fused Sentence - no punctuation Example: Original: We went to get ice cream I got a chocolate sundae. Revised: We went to get ice cream , and I got a chocolate sundae. Revised: We went to get ice cream ; I got a chocolate sundae. Revised: We went to get ice cream . I got a chocolate sundae. Revised: When we went to get ice cream , I got a chocolate sundae. Revised: We went to the ice cream parlor to get a chocolate sundae.

12. Correcting Comma Splices Comma splice - just a comma Example: Original: Sally loves sports, she is a big fan of basketball. Revised: Sally loves sports , but she is a big fan of basketball. Revised: Sally loves sports ; she is a big fan of basketball. Revised: Sally loves sports . She is a big fan of basketball. Revised: While Sally loves sports , she is a big fan of basketball. Revised: Sally loves sports, especially basketball.

13. How to Punctuate a Run-on A semicolon is required between independent clauses that have been linked with a mid-sentence transition (such as: however, therefore, moreover, in fact, or for example) Ex: Bill worked late into the evening ; therefore, he missed his daughter’s recital.

14. How to Punctuate a Run-on If the second clause summarizes or explains the clause preceding it, a colon or a dash would be an acceptable method of revision. Ex : My mother found the perfect recipe for the leftovers in our refrigerator – her famous chicken divan is one of our favorites.

15. How to Punctuate a Run-on In cases where the first clause precedes a quotation, a colon can be used. Ex : Benjamin Franklin warned the nation about wasteful spending : “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

16. How to Identify a Run-on Does the sentence contain two pairs of subjects and predicates? YES NO Good work! Not a run-on sentence, no revision necessary. Are the clauses joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction? Are the clauses joined with a semicolon, colon, or dash? Is one subject/ predicate pair inside a prepositional or subordinate phrase? YES YES YES NO NO NO Oops…this is a run-on sentence. Revise!

17. Additional Exercises “Repairing Run-on Sentences” at Capital Community College : http ://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/quizzes/runons_quiz.htm