Run-on –sentences

Comma Splices
Irfana Omar
Run-On Sentences
Look at the following sentence.

• I saw a teacher who cares.

The author may have wanted to write

• I saw a teacher. Who cares?

A run-on (or run-on sentence) is a sentence that really has TWO sentences (or
complete ideas) INCORRECTLY combined into one.
There are two types of run-on sentences:

 Fused sentences

 Comma splices

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 Fused Sentences

A Fused Sentence Occurs When Two

Sentences Are Joined Without Any
Punctuation.

Incorrect: Some students think they can study for an important

exam by “cramming” all night they are probably wrong.

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 Comma Splices

A comma splice occurs when two

sentences are joined with only a
comma.

Incorrect: The teacher told the students to complete the section

on comma splices, she also told them to compose a five-page
essay.

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 Four Ways to Correct Run-on Sentences.

1. Use a period:
Write the two independent clauses as separate sentences using periods.

INCORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy she felt Rome was too hot.
CORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy. She felt Rome was too hot.
2. Use a semicolon
Use a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses.
INCORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy she felt Rome was too hot.
CORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy; she felt Rome was too hot.
Exercise :
Insert a semicolon where the sentences run together.
1. The tide had risen three feet by nightfall, waves began to lap across the top of the
pier.
2. Something was obviously wrong with the meatloaf, it was glowing in the dark.
3. Mike never heard the third-base coach screaming for him to stop he was out at
home plate by ten feet.
4. Our manager proposed a ten percent reduction in salaries the staff did not like the
idea.
5. I was happy with my new apartment, it was in a good location and the rent was very
low.
3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction :

• There are only seven coordinating conjunctions. FANBOYS.

• FOR shows a cause relationship.
• AND shows an addition relationship.
• NOR shows the addition of negatives.
• BUT shows a contrast relationship.
• OR shows an alternative relationship.
• YET shows a contrast relationship.
• SO shows a result relationship.

INCORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy she felt Rome was too hot.
CORRECT
• Carmen loved traveling in Italy, but she felt Rome was too hot.
 Exercise :
• Use one of the seven coordinators (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join
the sentences.
Example: I hate to see animals in cages, I don't like to go to the zoo.
Correct: I hate to see animals in cages, so I don't like to go to the zoo.
1. Nick and Fran enjoyed the movie, they wished the seats had been more
comfortable.
2. The TV wasn't working, I walked over to a friend's house to watch the game.
3. Fred remembered to get the hot dogs he forgot to buy the rolls.
4. The telephone was ringing, someone was at the front door as well.
5. Brett moved from Boston to Los Angeles, she wanted to get as far away as possible
from her ex-husband.
6. On sunny days, I like to ride my bike in the park, I take a walk on the beach.
7. There were not that many good jobs on campus, I took one at the mall
8. Most of the class thought the main character was mean, I thought he was
misunderstood.
4. Add a subordinating conjunction or dependent words:
Use a semicolon and one of the following Subordinating Conjunctions
Time: As Before After When Whenever As soon as Since Until As long as By the time While
Contrast: Although Though Even though Even if Whereas
Condition: If Unless
Cause/Effect Because Since As So that
Other common subordinators: Whether Wherever As if As though The next time

NOTE: If you use any of these connecting words with method #4, a comma must follow it.
INCORRECT
Carmen loved traveling in Italy she felt Rome was too hot.
CORRECT
Carmen loved traveling in Italy; however, she felt Rome was too hot.
NOTE: When using semicolons, the two independent clauses must share a related or common idea. You
cannot write the following sentence.
Christine loves hot chocolate; I am watching TV.
These two clauses are completely unrelated.
NOTE: Transition words like however, then, therefore, moreover, for example, DO NOT join sentences.
You still need a semicolon or a period if you use them between sentences.
Incorrect: It was raining therefore I got wet.
Correct: It was raining; therefore, I got wet.
It was raining. Therefore, I got wet.
• Exercise :
Correct the run-together sentences by adding an appropriate subordinator.
Example: Marge was an "A" student, she didn't have to worry about her English
midterm.
Correct: Since Marge was an "A" student, she didn't have to worry about her
English midterm.
Example: Juan likes to read the newspaper, he wants to know what is going on in
the world.
Correct: Juan likes to read the newspaper because he wants to know what is going
on in the world.

1. Serana likes action movies, Theresa likes comedies.

2. Harry was a good musician, he never could keep a steady job in a band.
3. Gloria knew all the ropes, she met Peter.
4. The sunshine in March was pleasant, it was a disaster for local farmers.
5. Sue would buy a new car, she had the money.
6. I missed the 8 am bus, I slept through my alarm.
7. We decided to leave the park, it started to rain.
8. The committee members looked over the application, they were pleased with the
candidate's responses.
 How to Avoid Run-Ons
• 1. The girls played basketball the boys played tennis.
• The girls played basketball. The boys played tennis.
• The girls played basketball; the boys played tennis.
• The girls played basketball, but the boys played tennis.
• The girls played basketball; however, the boys played tennis.

• 2. Einstein is famous for E=mc² Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.
• Einstein is famous for E=mc². Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.
• Einstein is famous for E=mc²; Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.
• Einstein is famous for E=mc², but Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.
• Einstein is famous for E=mc²; however, Edison is famous for the invention of the light bulb.

• 3. Titanic is my favorite movie I love eating popcorn.

• Titanic is my favorite movie. I love eating popcorn.
• This sentence cannot be fixed with the other methods because the two independent clauses do not
share similar or related ideas.

• 4. Americans shake hands when they meet the Japanese bow.

• Americans shake hands when they meet. The Japanese bow.
• Americans shake hands when they meet; the Japanese bow.
• Americans shake hands when they meet, but the Japanese bow.
• Americans shake hands when they meet; however, the Japanese bow.
• 5. Mother's Day is always on a Sunday Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
• Mother's Day is always on a Sunday. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
• Mother's Day is always on a Sunday; Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
• Mother's Day is always on a Sunday, and Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday.
• Mother's Day is always on a Sunday; however, Thanksgiving is always on a
Thursday.

• 6. William loved visiting Montreal Sally preferred just to stay in Quebec.

• William loved visiting Montreal. Sally preferred just to stay in Quebec.
• William loved visiting Montreal; Sally preferred just to stay in Quebec.
• William loved visiting Montreal, but Sally preferred just to stay in Quebec.
• William loved visiting Montreal; nevertheless, Sally preferred just to stay in
Quebec.

• 7. My car broke down I need to buy a new one.

• My car broke down. I need to buy a new one.
• My car broke down; I need to buy a new one.
• My car broke down, so I need to buy a new one.
• My car broke down; therefore I need to buy a new one.
 8. At one time few people had enough money to buy books few people could read
books.
• At one time few people had enough money to buy books. Few people could read
books.
• At one time few people had enough money to buy books; few people could read
books.
• At one time few people had enough money to buy books, and few people could
read books.
• At one time few people had enough money to buy books; also, few people could
read books.

• 9. I want to learn Korean Trudy wants to learn Turkish.

• I want to learn Korean. Trudy wants to learn Turkish.
• I want to learn Korean; Trudy wants to learn Turkish.
• I want to learn Korean, and Trudy wants to learn Turkish.
• I want to learn Korean; however, Trudy wants to learn Turkish.

• 10. People love peace they hate war.

• People love peace. They hate war.
• People love peace; they hate war.
• People love peace, but they hate war.
• People love peace; however, they hate war
 After each run-on sentence below select the remedy
that would best repair that sentence.

1. Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
A. This sentence is correct
B. life, she
C. life; she

2. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane doesn't land soon it will
have to go on to Boston.
A. This sentence is correct
B. snow, and
C. snow; and
D. snow. And

3. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
A. This sentence is correct
B. 7:30, make
C. 7:30. Make
4. Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could
always depend on.
A. woods; this
B. woods, this

5. Having prepared himself well for the realtor exams and having exhausted
everyone in the family with his requests that someone help him with the true-
and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had never been a particularly good student in high
school, knew he was ready to take on the greatest challenge of his life.
A. This sentence is correct
B. drills; Jeffrey
C. Jeffrey -- who had never been a particularly good student in high school--
knew

6. Throughout history money and religion were closely linked there was little
distinction between government and religion.
A. This sentence is correct
B. linked because there was
C. linked, there was
D. This sentence is correct
7. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person all power
rested in one ruler.
A. This sentence is correct
B. person, all
C. person; all

8. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money their backing
encouraged public faith in the money.
A. This sentence is correct
B. money. Their
C. money, their

9. Coins were minted of precious metals the religious overtones of money were then
strengthened.
A. This sentence is correct
B. metals, the
C. When coins were minted of precious metals, the . . . .

10. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money
intensified its allure.
A. This sentence is correct
B. divine, so
C. divine; so
D. divine their
 Each of the following is a run-on sentences. From the
group of three sentences that follows, select the
group of words that corrects the run-on.
1. Our solar system has nine major planets only one is known to have intelligent life.
a.Our solar system has nine major planets, only one is known to have intelligent life.
b.Our solar system has nine major planets only one, is known to have intelligent life.
c.Our solar system has nine major planets; only one is known to have intelligent life.

2. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore they are dim and hard to see.
a. Most asteroids are small and far away, therefore they are dim and hard to see.
b. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore, they are dim and hard to see.
c. Most asteroids are small and far away; therefore, they are dim and hard to see.

3. Look through Angelo's telescope you can see Saturn's rings.

a. If you look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
b. Look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.
c. You can see Saturn's rings, look through Angelo's telescope.
4. Please check the position of that star cluster I can't find it.
a. Please check the position of that star cluster; I can't find it.
b. Please check the position of that star cluster, I can't find it.
c. Please check the position, of that star cluster, I can't find it.

5. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter however on warm

summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.
a. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter, however, on warm
summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.
b. Marie is never interested in stargazing during the winter. However, on warm
summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.
c. Marie is never interested in stargazing, during the winter however, on warm
summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.

6. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky it is actually a
huge galaxy containing millions of stars.
a. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky, it is actually a
huge galaxy containing millions of stars.
b. The cloud-like Milky Way stretching across the night sky is actually a huge galaxy
containing millions of stars.
c. Although the Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky. It is
actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.
7. Watch the sky closely for several minutes you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
a. Watch the sky closely for several minutes; you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
b. Watch the sky closely for several minutes, you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.
c. If you watch the sky closely for several minutes. You are likely to see an artificial satellite pass
over.

8. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby she secretly wished she had stayed
at home.
a. Louisa pretended to be interested in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had
stayed at home.
b. Pretending to be interested in her brother's hobby, Louisa secretly wished she had stayed at
home.
c. Louisa pretended to be interested, in her brother's hobby, she secretly wished she had
stayed at home.

9. Some club members were late for the meeting for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
a. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
b. Some club members were late for the meeting, for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.
c. Some club members were late for the meeting; for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

10. We've seen enough for one night pack up the equipment.
a. We've seen enough for one night; pack up the equipment.
b. Pack up the equipment, we've seen enough for one night.
 Each of the following is a run-on sentence. From the
group of three sentences that follows, select the
group of words that corrects the run-on.
1. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter most pitchers don't want to face him.
a. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter, most pitchers don't want to face him.
b. Jose Canseco is still a feared batter. Most pitchers don't want to face him.
c. Jose Canseco is such a feared batter. That most pitchers don't want to face him.

2. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy to see him in the line-up.
a. Most Red Sox fans like him; they're happy to see him in the line-up.
b. Most Red Sox fans like him they're happy, to see him in the line-up.
c. Most Red Sox fans like him, they're happy to see him in the line-up.

3. They like to see him step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
a. They like to see him step up to bat. He looks bigger than life.
b. They like to see him step up to bat, he looks bigger than life.
c. They like to see him, step up to bat he looks bigger than life.
4. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield for example he's been known to drop easy
fly-balls.
a. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example, he's been known to drop easy
fly-balls.
b. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield, for example he's been known to drop easy
fly-balls.
c. Canseco can be a klutz in the outfield; for example he's been known to drop easy
fl-balls.

5. His salary is enormous however most fans think he's worth it.
a. His salary is enormous; however, most fans think he's worth it.
b. His salary is enormous, however most fans think he's worth it.
c. His salary is enormous, however, most fans think he's worth it.

6. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.

a. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, and his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
b. He sometimes acts a bit crazy, his off-the-field behavior is often scandalous.
c. He sometimes acts a bit crazy his off-the-field behavior, is often scandalous.
7. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
a. Nowadays; he takes an interest in the community moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
b. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community, moreover he gives tickets to sick kids.
c. Nowadays he takes an interest in the community; moreover, he gives tickets to sick kids.

8. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn that's quite a combination!

a. Canseco bats right behind, Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
b. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn, that's quite a combination!
c. Canseco bats right behind Mo Vaughn. That's quite a combination!

9. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn Canseco is there waiting.

a. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco is there waiting.
b. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn. Canseco is there waiting.
c. Pitchers can't skip over Vaughn, Canseco, is there waiting.

10. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore I think they should keep him.
a. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting; therefore, I think they should keep him.
b. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting, therefore, I think they should keep him.
c. Canseco makes the Red Sox more exciting therefore I think they should keep him.