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