Run-Together Sentences
How to Identify and Fix
Run-Together Sentences

Run-together sentences occur when two
sentences are joined with no punctuation
between them or with only a comma connecting
them (comma splices).

Example of run-together sentences:
I.
II.

It was raining I got wet.
It was raining, I got wet.
Even though these thoughts go together
logically, they are two separate sentences
grammatically. A sentence can have two
subjects and verbs only if they are joined in
some way. This will explain some of the ways to
join sentences.
Fixing a run-on sentence:
Using:

Coordinator (FANBOYS)

Subordinator

Alternative Semicolon

Period

Using a Comma and a
Coordinator

If you want two to go together logically, often you should use a joining word to indicate
the logical connection. This helps your reader to understand how your ideas relate to
each other. One way of showing how the sentences are related is to join them with
Coordinators. Which are best remembered with acronym of

For
(Cause)

And
(Addition)

Nor
(Addition of negatives)

But
(Opposition)

Or
(Alternatives)

Yet
(Opposition same as but)

So
(Result)
FANBOYS.
Example:

It was raining, I got wet.

To repair, add comma/conjunction:
It was raining, so I got wet.

Notice that a comma comes
before the coordinator.
Example:
I hate to see animals in cages, I
don’t like to go to the zoo.
Repair with comma/conjunction:
I hate to see animals in cages
,
so I don’t like to go to the zoo.

Nick and Fran enjoyed the
movie, they wished the seats
had been more comfortable.
Nick and Fran enjoyed the movie, but
they wished the seats had been more
comfortable.
Proof Reading Tips

Read the essay out loud after you print it
out. Often you can catch run-on sentences
by hearing where you pause.

If you still have run on sentences try
circling all the ones with commas. Then
check if the sentences have a subject and
verb in both clauses before or after the
comma. If there is then you will need to fix
it with semicolons, a comma and
conjunction, or use a period to make two
sentences.
Subordinator

You can also show the relationship between two
sentences by using a subordinator to change one
of the sentence into a dependant clause.
Corrected run-on sentence:



Since it was raining, I got wet.
I got wet because it was raining.
When a subordinator comes in the beginning of a
sentence, put a comma after the clause it is
attached to. If the subordinator comes in the
middle of the sentence, do not use a comma.
There to many subordinators to list,
here are some common ones:
Times words:
after, before, since, when, while, as, when
ever, until, by the time, as soon , as long
as,
Cause-effect words:
Opposition words:
Condition words:
because, since, as
while, whereas, although, though,
even though,
If, unless, even if, whether.
Semicolon or Period

You can use a semicolon to join run-on
sentences or a period to separate them
into two sentences.

Example
It was raining. I got wet.
It was raining; I got wet.

If a coordinator and a subordinator don’t
work, use semicolon or period.

Transitions words like however,
then, therefore, moreover, for
example, DO NOT join
sentences. You will need to use
a semicolon or a period if you
create two sentences.
BEST CHOICE
I ran all the way to the corner,
but I still missed the bus.

Although I ran all the way to
the corner, I still missed my bus.

Using a joining word is the best choice because it
lets your reader know the logical connection
between your two sentences. In this case the logical
connection is opposition.

Alternative choice:
I ran all the way to the corner; I still missed
my bus.

Only using a semicolon when you cannot
find a joining word that works.

Least preferable choice:
I ran all the way to the corner. I still missed
my bus.