Run-on sentence

Definition

A run-on sentence is a grammatical error that occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. This mistake can lead to confusion for readers, as the lack of proper separation makes it difficult to understand where one thought ends and another begins. Correcting run-on sentences often involves adding punctuation like commas or semicolons, or incorporating coordinating conjunctions to create clarity and improve readability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Run-on sentences can create ambiguity in writing, making it hard for readers to follow the author's intended meaning.
2. To fix a run-on sentence, you can separate the independent clauses into distinct sentences or link them correctly using punctuation or conjunctions.
3. Common indicators of run-on sentences include the absence of periods or semicolons in long sentences containing multiple ideas.
4. Run-on sentences are often seen in informal writing or spoken language, where ideas flow rapidly and may lack proper grammatical structure.
5. Recognizing run-on sentences is essential for clear communication, especially in academic writing where clarity and precision are paramount.

Review Questions

• What strategies can be used to correct run-on sentences in writing?
  • To correct run-on sentences, writers can employ several strategies such as breaking the sentence into two separate sentences, using a semicolon to connect closely related independent clauses, or adding a coordinating conjunction with a comma. Each method enhances clarity by properly indicating the relationship between thoughts. Using these strategies not only helps in maintaining grammatical correctness but also improves overall readability.
• How do run-on sentences affect the clarity and flow of written work?
  • Run-on sentences significantly impact the clarity and flow of writing by creating confusion and ambiguity. When independent clauses are improperly combined, readers struggle to understand where one idea ends and another begins. This disruption in flow can cause frustration and misinterpretation, emphasizing the importance of using correct punctuation and conjunctions to maintain smooth transitions between ideas.
• Evaluate the role of punctuation in distinguishing between run-on sentences and correctly structured complex sentences.
  • Punctuation plays a crucial role in differentiating run-on sentences from well-structured complex sentences. Proper use of commas, semicolons, and periods clarifies how independent clauses relate to each other, enabling writers to convey their ideas effectively. For instance, while a run-on sentence may lack necessary punctuation leading to confusion, a correctly structured complex sentence uses punctuation strategically to enhance meaning and coherence. This evaluation highlights how essential punctuation is in crafting clear and comprehensible writing.

Related terms

independent clause:

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought; it can stand alone as a sentence.

coordinating conjunction: A word used to connect clauses or sentences, such as 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', and 'yet'.

comma splice:

A specific type of run-on sentence where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by just a comma, without a coordinating conjunction.