Grammar:
Run-on Sentences
Run-on Sentences and How to Fix Them.
Independent Clause
Remember, an independent clause is a group of words that can express a complete idea by itself. For example:
I can run.
In the example above, we can find a subject (I), and a verb (can run), and together, they express a complete, independent idea.
A run-on sentence happens when a writer joins two independent clauses without correct punctuation. See the example below. How many independent clauses does it have?
I can run five miles this used to be difficult for me.
In the example above, there are two independent clauses: I can run five miles and this used to be difficult for me. Because they both express a complete idea, those clauses cannot be placed together without any punctuation.
In the next section, we’ll look at ways to fix run-on sentences.
How to Fix Run-on Sentences
There are three ways to fix run-on sentences: We can add a conjunction to join them, separate the sentences with a period, or connect the sentences with a semicolon.
Let’s look at the run-on sentence from the first part of this lesson:
I can run five miles this used to be difficult for me.
There are three ways to fix this run-on sentence:
- Add a conjunction to join the sentences.
I can run five miles, even though this used to be difficult for me.
- Separate the sentences with a period.
I can run five miles. This used to be difficult for me.
- Use a semicolon to show a close relationship between the two sentences.
I can run five miles; this used to be difficult for me.
Practice Problems
- True or False: An independent clause expresses a complete idea.
- True or False: Two independent clauses can be joined without punctuation.
- Is the following a run-on sentence?: Jodi goes on vacation each April it’s her favorite time of year.
- Is the following a run-on sentence?: We are cleaning the house this Saturday; can you help?
- Is the following a run-on sentence?: They left early this morning, as they had a long drive.
- Is the following a run-on sentence?: I love to study math I like how it helps me think critically.
- The following passage contains a run-on sentence. What is the best way to correct the run-on sentence?: They did it again why do people keep doing this?
- They did it again, why do people keep doing this?
- They did it again I don’t know why people keep doing this?
- They did it again why do people keep doing this.
- They did it again; why do people keep doing this?
- The following passage contains a run-on sentence. What is the best way to correct the run-on sentence?: Stop talking it is time to listen to the lecture.
- Stop talking. It is time to listen to the lecture.
- Stop talking it is time to listen, to the lecture.
- Stop talking, it is time to listen to the lecture.
- We should stop talking it is time to listen to the lecture.
- The following passage contains a run-on sentence. What is the best way to correct the run-on sentence?: Jill thinks I’m crazy she is the one that is crazy.
- Jill thinks I’m crazy though she, is the one that is crazy.
- Jill thinks I’m crazy, but she is the one that is crazy.
- Jill thinks I’m crazy and she is the one that is crazy.
- Jill thinks I’m crazy, she is the one that is crazy.
- In the passage below, which sentences are all run-on sentences?
(1) My favorite vacations allow me to relax and be with those I love I do not like to feel rushed. (2) For example, during the holidays, I visited my grandparents in the country and had such a great time. (3)I did not create an agenda for my visit I simply wanted to enjoy my grandparents’ company and breathe the fresh country air. (4) I helped my grandfather milk the cow and feed the chickens. (5) I even helped my grandmother bake bread and clean the house it did not matter what I did as long as I was with my grandparents that kind of vacation truly relaxes me and gives me joy.