Run-ons Key Terms Clause: A group of words having a subject and a verb. Dependent clause: A group of words having a subject and a verb that does not express a complete thought and is not able to stand alone; also called a subordinate clause. Independent clause: A group of words having a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and is able to stand alone. Run-ons A run-on consists of two complete thoughts run together without adequate punctuation to signal the break between them. There are two types of run-ons: comma splices and fused sentences. Two Types of Run-ons 1. Comma splice: • a comma incorrectly used to connect (“splice” together) two complete thoughts. • Example: I go to school, my brother stays home. • Correct sentences: I go to school. My brother stays home. 2. Fused sentence: • a run-on with no punctuation to mark the break between thoughts. • Fused sentence: I go to school my brother stays home. • Correct sentences: I go to school. My brother stays home. Four Ways to Correct Run-ons 1. The Period 2. Comma + Coordinating Conjunction 3. The Semicolon 4. Subordination Method 1: The Period Use a period and a capital letter to separate sentences. Example: The run-on The bus stopped suddenly I found myself in an old man’s lap. The run-on corrected The bus stopped suddenly. I found myself in an old man’s lap. Method 2: Comma + Coordinating Conjunction Use a comma and a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet). Example: The run-on The bus stopped suddenly I found myself in an old man’s lap. The run-on corrected The bus stopped suddenly, and I found myself in an old man’s lap. Method 3: The Semicolon Use a semicolon to connect the two complete thoughts. Example: The run-on The bus stopped suddenly, I found myself in an old man’s lap. The run-on corrected The bus stopped suddenly; I found myself in an old man’s lap. Method 3 Variation: Semicolon + A Transitional Word Include a transitional word, or conjunctive adverb, to comment two thought. Example: The run-on The bus stopped suddenly, I found myself in an old man’s lap. The run-on corrected The bus stopped suddenly; consequently, I found myself in an old man’s lap. Method 4: Subordination Subordination is a way of showing that one thought in a sentence is not as important as another thought. Example: The run-on Since her husband was having another insomnia attack Elana woke up at 3 a.m. to the smell of sizzling bacon. The run-on corrected Since her husband was having another insomnia attack, Elana woke up at 3 a.m. to the smell of sizzling bacon. Reading for Run-ons 1.) To see if a sentence is a run-on, read it aloud, and listen for a break marking two complete thoughts. Your voice will probably drop and pause at the break. 2.) Be on the lookout for words that can lead to run-on sentences. Then, that, this, and next are some examples. 3.) Make the appropriate correct we discussed above: • Period and a capital letter • Comma and a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) • Semicolon, alone or with a transitional word • Subordination Any questions?
