How to Avoid Run-On Sentences

HOW TO AVOID RUN-ON SENTENCES

There are two kinds of run-on sentences:

 The fused sentence consists of two independent clauses combined without any punctuation.

 The comma splice consists of two independent clauses combined with just a comma to separate them. A comma is not strong enough to connect two independent clauses by itself.

There are three major ways to fix a run-on sentence:

 The most common way is to separate the two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction. (for, and, nor, but, or, yet so). This is most useful with a comma splice, when there is already a comma. Use this method when one sentence naturally comes from the other, or is very closely connected.

 In cases where the sentences are related, and where that relation is obvious, you can use a semicolon between the two independent clauses. A transition word with a comma following it may follow the semicolon. (Therefore is a common transition word, as is however.)

 A subordinating conjunction can be used to turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. (Sorry, there is no mnemonic device for remembering all the subordinating conjunctions; there are just too many. But these words often show time or condition, words like: because, when, and if.) When subordinating the first independent clause, you need a comma to separate them, but when subordinating the second clause, you do not need the comma.

References Lunsford, Andrea & Connors, Robert (1989). The St. Martin’s Handbook. New York: St. Martin’s Press, pp. 256-258

This resource was written by Travis Lamkin and edited by OWC on August, 2007. (Link:) Click here to submit your writing