Sentence Writing

Sentence WritingSentence Writing

Run-on SentencesRun-on Sentences


A run-on sentence contains two or more independent clauses with no connectors between them. If independent clauses are not separated into distinct sentences by a period, then they must be connected by a conjunction or by a semicolon. Eliminating run-on sentences from your writing will make your thoughts easier to follow and understand.


This part helps you to: recognize run-on sentences. choose among four ways of correcting

run-on sentences. avoid writing the three main types of run-

on sentences.


Think of things that you know how to do: how to fix something, how to make something, how to play something. Pick one thing that you can do well and imagine what you would say to teach someone else to do it. Jot down all the steps in the process, including details and examples.


Look over your notes and organize them into a paragraph explaining the process step by step. Fit in the details and examples that would help a reader to follow your directions.

Read your paragraph, making sure that independent clauses are either separated by periods or connected by conjunctions.


When independent clauses meet in a sentence, they must be correctly compounded or else they create a run-on sentence.

This is not such an elegant playground, / still, the kids love it.

In the sentence above, a slash marks the spot where two independent clauses collide within the sentence. Notice that a comma doesn't prevent the collision; a run-on sentence with a comma between the two independent clauses is still a run-on sentence (sometimes called a comma splice).


Before you can recognize and correct run-on sentences, you need to be sure of the differences between independent and dependent clauses.

Whenever you find more than one clause in a single sentence, check to see whether some are embedded and whether any independent clauses collide.


Start by identifying any dependent words with an asterisk (*). Then discover the subject + verb combinations.

Those swings are the ones that* Dina always chooses, / they are just her size.

The slash (/) marks the point where a new independent clause begins without a conjunction.

Tasks: Correcting Run-on SentencesTasks: Correcting Run-on Sentences

Correct the run-on by separating the independent clauses into distinct sentences using a period and a capital letter.

Example: Because the weather turned so cool, we changed our plans, we will go to the beach tomorrow.

Correct： Because the weather turned so cool, we changed our plans. We will go to the beach tomorrow.


1. The papers were all jumbled up, therefore, we couldn't find the report when we needed it.

2. Although the patients thrive there, the hospital isn't perfect, it seems awfully far from where we live.

3. My boss has an idea that we should consider it might solve our problems.

4. The application is due tomorrow, could you type it up today, please?

5. These phone bills are puzzling me I refuse to pay them until you explain them.


6. Since Coleman came along, the bouncers have left us alone, they respect the reputation that he earned last fall.

7. It's dangerous to walk there alone you shouldn't go without me.

8. The icicles were melting, the tin bucket caught them.

9. Some household cleaners should not be mixed for example, ammonia and bleach give off a poison gas when they're combined.

10. Look for hummingbirds around that tree, they've been nesting.


1. Correct： The papers were all jumbled up. Therefore, we couldn't find the report when we needed it.

2. Correct： Although the patients thrive there, the hospital isn't perfect. It seems awfully far from where we live.

3. Correct：My boss has an idea that we should consider. It might solve our problems.

4. Correct： The application is due tomorrow. Could you type it up today, please?

5. Correct： These phone bills are puzzling me. I refuse to pay them until you explain them.


6. Correct： Since Coleman came along, the bouncers have left us alone. They respect the reputation that he earned last fall.

7. Correct： It's dangerous to walk there alone. You shouldn't go without me.

8. Correct： The icicles were melting. The tin bucket caught them.

9. Correct： Some household cleaners should not be mixed. For example, ammonia and bleach give off a poison gas when they're combined.

10. Correct： Look for hummingbirds around that tree. They've been nesting.

Summary of Solutions Summary of Solutions

When you discover a run-on sentence, you can correct it in one of four ways.

Run-on sentence: This cup is cracked, I don't want it. Method 1. Make two distinct sentences. This cup is cracked. I don't want it. Method 2. Compound the independent clauses. This cup is cracked, so I don't want it. Method 3. Embed one of the clauses using a dependent word. If this cup is cracked, I don't want it. Method 4. Embed one of the clauses by reducing a verb to a

verbal. I don't want this cracked cup.


Correct the run-ons below by using each method outlined in the Summary of Solutions.

Run-on sentence: That kid is snoring give her a nudge. Method One: That kid is snoring. Give her a nudge. Method Two: That kid is snoring, so give her a nudge. Method Three: Since that kid is snoring, give her a nudge. Method Four: Give that snoring kid a nudge.

Run-on sentence: We were inspired by the news feature, we became organ donors.

Method One: We were inspired by the news feature. We became organ donors.

Method Two: We were inspired by the news feature, and we became organ donors.

http://webster.commnet.edu/sensen/part2/nine/run_ons_summary.html

Review & PracticeReview & Practice To see if a sentence is a run-on, check for two or more

independent clauses with no conjunction between them. A comma is not a connector.

1 The three friends were laughing they threw wads of newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out.

The three friends were laughing / they threw wads of newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out.

2 The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, finally Jamaal decided to tackle it with a broom that he found in the hallway.

The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, / finally Jamaal decided to tackle it with a broom that he found in the hallway.

3 Meanwhile, the sun was rising, it gradually lit up the gray windows.

Meanwhile, the sun was rising, / it gradually lit up the gray windows.

Review & PracticeReview & Practice 4 The three friends were laughing they threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out. The three friends were laughing. They threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out. 5 The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom he found in the hallway. The mess in the kitchen was forgotten. Finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom he found in the hallway. 6 Meanwhile, the sun was rising, it gradually lit up the gray

windows. Meanwhile, the sun was rising. It gradually lit up the gray

windows. 7 The three friends were laughing they threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out. The three friends were laughing, and they threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out.

Review & PracticeReview & Practice 8 The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom he found in the hallway. The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, but finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom he found in the hallway. 9 The sun was rising, it gradually lit up the gray windows. The sun was rising so it gradually lit up the gray windows. 10 The three friends were laughing they threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out. The three friends were laughing as they threw wads of

newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out. 11 The mess in the kitchen was forgotten, finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom that he found in the hallway. The mess in the kitchen was forgotten until finally Jamaal

decided to tackle it with a broom that he found in the hallway.

Review & PracticeReview & Practice

12 Meanwhile, the sun must have been rising, it gradually lit up the gray windows.

Meanwhile, the sun must have been rising because it gradually lit up the gray windows.

13 The three friends WERE LAUGHING they threw wads of newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out.

The three laughing friends threw wads of newspaper at each other until they wore themselves out.

14 The mess in the kitchen WAS FORGOTTEN, finally Jamaal decided to tackle it with a broom he found in the hallway.

Finally Jamaal decided to tackle the forgotten mess with a broom he found in the hallway.

15 Meanwhile, the sun WAS RISING, it gradually lit up the gray windows.

Meanwhile, the rising sun gradually lit up the gray windows.


The following is a paragraph with run-on sentences The two runners started out evenly then the tall one

pulled ahead the shorter one lagged behind she appeared discouraged already. The wind was harsh, after all this was October in Montana. The spectators began to disperse, suddenly the shorter runner put on speed she also lengthened her stride she was moving surprisingly fast, however, there were still twenty yards between her and the leader. The sun began to set the runners leaned into the turn in the road they seemed to shrink into the purple light, it was fading finally they disappeared over the crest of the hill.


Correct: The two runners started out evenly, but then the tall

one pulled ahead. The shorter one lagged behind and appeared discouraged already. The wind was harsh; after all, this was October in Montana. The spectators began to disperse when suddenly the shorter runner put on speed and lengthened her stride. She was moving surprisingly fast; however, there were still twenty yards between her and the leader. As the sun began to set, the runners leaned into the turn in the road. They seemed to shrink into the fading purple light as they finally disappeared over the crest of the hill.

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