How to Identify and Fix Run-On Sentences: A Complete Guide

What is a Run-On Sentence?

A run-on sentence happens when you combine two or more sentences without the right punctuation or connecting words.

I wanted to go to the store I needed some groceries.
She woke up late she missed the bus to school.
The dog barked loudly all night it kept the neighbors awake.

Types of Run-On Sentences:

Comma Splice:
This occurs when two independent clauses are linked by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

The sun was setting, it cast a warm glow on the horizon.
I wanted to go to the store, it was already closed.
She loves to read books, she goes to the library every week.

Fused Sentence (or Run-On):
This happens when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction.

The dog barked loudly it scared the mail carrier.
I tried to call you no one answered.
The weather was beautiful we decided to go for a hike.

How to Fix Run-On Sentence?

We need to address run-on sentences involves choosing the right method based on the specific context.

Ways to Correct Run-on Sentences:

Semicolon Usage:
We will use a semicolon to connect closely related independent clauses.

I tried to call you; no one answered.
The weather was beautiful; we decided to go for a hike.
The snow was falling steadily; the streets were becoming covered in a blanket of white.

Coordinating Conjunctions:
We need to Introduce a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) with a comma to connect independent clauses.

She loves hiking, but she’s never been camping.
She finished her homework, and she went out to play.
He loves cooking, but he doesn’t like cleaning up afterward.

Creating Separate Sentences:
Sometimes, the most simple solution is to break a run-on sentence into two noticeable sentences.

The meeting lasted for hours. Everyone was exhausted.
She finished her homework. She went out to play.
He loves cooking. He doesn’t like cleaning up afterward.

Employing a Subordinate Conjunction:
We will use a subordinate conjunction (although, because, since, if) to change one of the clauses into a dependent clause.

Although it was raining, the event continued as planned.
After she finished her homework, she went out to play.
Although he loves cooking, he doesn’t like cleaning up afterward.

What Makes a Sentence Fragment?

A fragment sentence is a group of words that doesn’t express a complete thought. It’s missing something important, like who’s doing the action or what’s happening. So, it doesn’t make complete sense all by itself.

After dinner, when the sun set.
Running through the park, with her dog chasing.
By the river, on a warm summer day.

Types of Sentence Fragment

Missing Subject: Walking in the park on a sunny day.
Correction: People were walking in the park on a sunny day.

Missing Verb: Although tired and hungry.
Correction: Although tired and hungry, we decided to continue our hike.

Dependent Clause as a Sentence: Because it was raining.
Correction: We decided to stay indoors because it was raining.

Incomplete Thought: The old house with a lovely garden. Abandoned for years.
Correction: The old house with a lovely garden had been abandoned for years.

Appositive without Main Clause: My best friend from childhood. A talented artist.
Correction: My best friend from childhood, who is a talented artist, visited last weekend.

Correcting Sentence Fragments:

It is required to add missing subject, verb, to correct sentence fragments and to give a complete the Thought. There are different strategies that can be used to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness:

Adding Missing Elements:
We need to identify what is missing (subject, verb, or both) and add the necessary elements.

While walking in the park on a sunny day, I saw a beautiful rainbow.
After the storm had passed, we emerged from the shelter to assess the damage.

Connecting Fragments:
We should join sentence fragments with main clauses to create complete sentences.

I went to the store but forgot my wallet.
I finished my work early and celebrated with friends.

Using Independent Clauses:
We need to ensure that each sentence contains at least one independent clause that can stand alone.

I finished my work early.
I was waiting for the bus.

Checking for Dependent Clauses:
We need to verify that dependent clauses are appropriately attached to independent clauses to form complete thoughts.