RUN-ON SENTENCES

68 PLC, 346-3226
http://tlc.uoregon.edu
RUN-ON SENTENCES
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? A run-on sentence isn’t always long, it just has too many parts
and not enough glue.
Did you notice the error? Let’s take a closer look.
A run-on sentence contains two independent clauses (a group of words that
could stand alone as a complete sentence) that are joined together without
proper punctuation or a conjunction (a joining word).
The example above contains two parts. Because each part contains a subject (the
main who or what of a sentence), a verb (the word[s] expressing the subject’s action or
state), and a complete thought, both are independent clauses:
1) a run-on sentence isn’t always long
2) it just has too many parts and not enough glue
The comma between these independent clauses does not sufficiently join them. This
kind of run-on sentence is called a comma splice. A run-on sentence with no
punctuation between the independent clauses is called a fused sentence.
There are multiple ways to correct run-on sentences.
1) Separate the clauses into two complete sentences by inserting a period
between them:
A run-on sentence isn’t always long. It just has too many parts and not enough
glue.
2) If separating the clauses into complete sentences makes the writing too
choppy, consider connecting them with a semi-colon. Whereas a period serves
as a stop sign for the reader, a semi-colon is like a yield sign:
A run-on sentence isn’t always long; it just has too many parts and not enough
glue.
3) Sometimes adding a word is the best solution. Examples include coordinating
conjunctions (and, but, so, or, nor, for, yet) and subordinating conjunctions
(words like because, although, when, if).
Although a run-on sentence isn’t always long, it has too many parts and not
enough glue.

WHY IS THIS ERROR SO COMMON?
Because the independent clauses in most run-on sentences express ideas that are
closely related, writers sometimes have difficulty distinguishing where one idea ends
and the next begins. Familiarity with spoken language offers little help since speech
may move seamlessly from one idea to the next without acknowledging boundaries
between independent clauses. Writers who rely on their “ear” for language may not be
able to “hear” the error.
Transition words like however, therefore, next, then, and consequently are often
confused with conjunctions. These words do create a relationship between ideas;
however, unlike conjunctions, they do not sufficiently join two independent clauses.
HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY RUN-ON SENTENCES?
TRY IT!
Take a close look at sentences that express more than one idea. Does each idea
contain a subject and a verb? Can each idea stand alone as a complete sentence? If
you’re not sure, add “I realize” to the beginning of each idea. If it sounds right with “I
realize” in front of it, it probably is an independent clause.
I’m not ready to get a cat plants are hard enough to take care of.
Are there two ideas? Yes. Could they stand alone as complete sentences? Let’s try
the “I realize” tip.
I realize I’m not ready to get a cat.
I realize plants are hard enough to take care of.
Yes, they could be complete sentences. Separating the parts into two sentences is
one possible correction:
I’m not ready to get a cat. Plants are hard enough to take care of.
Remember, though, that a sentence can contain more than one idea as long as the
ideas are sufficiently joined. Here are two other possible corrections:
I’m not ready to get a cat; plants are hard enough to take care of.
OR
I’m not ready to get a cat because plants are hard enough to take care of.
If most of your run-ons are comma splices, pay particular attention to commas when
you proofread. Are any of them separating independent clauses?
Are you ready to try out these techniques? Identify and revise the run-on sentences in
this passage:
Some people dislike rainy days, however Miranda loves them. She takes long walks
in the rain whenever she gets a chance, and she doesn’t use an umbrella or wear a

jacket because she likes the feel of cool raindrops on her skin. Her grandmother often
tells her, “You should stay inside, you’ll catch a cold!” When Miranda finally does
come inside, she curls up with a good book, drinks hot cocoa, and listens to the rain
on the roof. Such days are wonderful she wishes tomorrow weren’t Monday!