Avoiding Run-ons

Many students think a run-on sentence is a sentence that is particularly long, or “runs on and on,” like this one:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

WRONG Sometimes long sentences are just fine. WRONG! Sometimes long sentences are just fine.

Also, a run-on has nothing to do with sentence length. The preamble to the Constitution is no way a run-on!

In fact, even short sentences, if not punctuated properly, can be run-ons.

I love powerpoints they are so awesome ! RUN- ON !

I demand an explanation!

To understand what a run-on is, you have to understand INDEPENDENT CLAUSES Independence is groovy !

A CLAUSE has a SUBJECT and a VERB.

An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (or simple sentence) has a SUBJECT, a VERB, and expresses a complete thought!

A subject can be a noun (person, place, or thing) or a pronoun (that takes the place of a noun). A verb reflects the subject’s action (action verb) or state of being (being verb).

Another name for an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is a SIMPLE SENTENCE.

Note these two simple sentences: I love powerpoint presentations. They are so awesome.

Note these two simple sentences. subject verb I love powerpoint presentations. subject verb They are so awesome.

Now we’ll “try” joining them by deleting that first period and making that capital “T” lowercase. I love powerpoint presentations. They are so awesome.

Now we’ll “try” joining them by deleting that first period and making that capital “T” lowercase. I love powerpoint presentations they are so awesome.

I love powerpoint presentations they are so awesome. I love powerpoint presentations they are so awesome. OH, NO! A RUN- ON!

Run-on sentences occur when two independent clauses (simple sentences) are “run together” improperly. subject verb I love powerpoint presentations they are so awesome. subject verb RUN-ON

Trying to connect them with a comma doesn’t solve the problem. subject verb I love powerpoint presentations, they are so awesome. subject verb You only create something called a comma splice!

So what can we do? Uh…like maybe try fixing it?

FIXING A RUN-0N There are FIVE different ways to fix a run-on.

#1 - A PERIOD Separate the run-on into two simple sentences with a period. I love powerpoint presentations. They are so awesome. Didn’t we already do that? Shut up and listen!

#1 - A PERIOD Separate the run-on into two simple sentences with a period. I love powerpoint presentations. They are so awesome. Didn’t we already do that? Shut up and listen!

#2 - A SEMICOLON Join the two simple sentences with a semicolon. I love powerpoint presentations; they are so awesome.

#3 - A SEMICOLON + A TRANSITION Join the two simple sentences with a semicolon + a transition. ( Note the comma after the transition.) I love powerpoint presentations; in fact, they are awesome.

#3-A SEMICOLON + A TRANSITION (Continued) Other transitions are furthermore, however, on the other hand, in addition, likewise, therefore, for example, in fact, indeed, thus, then, and consequently.

#4 - A COMMA AND A COORDINATING CONJUCTION Join the sentences with one of these 7 conjunctions and a comma: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. I love powerpoint presentations, and this one is particularly awesome.

#4-A COMMA AND A COORDINATING CONJUCTION (Continued) These are sometimes referred to as the FANBOYS. F o r A n d N o r B u t O r Y e t S o

Fanboys, schmanboys! Can we get to number #5 already?

#5 - A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION Transform one independent clause into a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction. I love powerpoint presentations because they are so awesome.

#5-SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (Continued) Also, with subordinating conjunctions, you can sometimes put the dependent clause first, followed by a comma. Because powerpoint presentations are so awesome, I love them.

#5-SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (Continued) Other subordinating conjunctions include because, although, when, if since, while, before, unless, and until.

Note the difference ! Independent clause: Powerpoints are so awesome. Dependent clause: because powerpoints are so awesome

Let’s Review !

Run-ons I love powerpoint presentations they are so awesome. I love powerpoint presentations, they are so awesome. Fixes #1. I love powerpoint presentations. They are so awesome. #2. I love powerpoint presentations; they are so awesome #3. I love powerpoint presentations; in fact, they are awesome. #4. I love powerpoint presentations, and this one is particularly awesome. #5. I love powerpoint presentations because they are so awesome.

Now, let’s just try this with a few more sentences! How would you fix this run-on? The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence, historians cannot agree on who or what caused the bell’s famous crack.

FOR DISCUSSION Run-on The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence, historians cannot agree on who or what caused the bell’s famous crack. Fixes #1. A period. #2. A semicolon. #3. A semicolon and a transition (followed by a comma). #4. A comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). #5. A subordinate conjunction.

ANSWERS Run-on The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence, historians cannot agree on who or what caused the bell’s famous crack. Fixes #1. independence. Historians #2. independence; historians #3. independence; however, historians #4. independence, yet historians #5. independence although historians

How would you fix this run-on? Benjamin Franklin wanted to learn if lightning was an electrical phenomenon, he flew a kite in a thunderstorm.

FOR DISCUSSION Run-on Benjamin Franklin wanted to learn if lightning was an electrical phenomenon, he flew a kite in a thunderstorm. Fixes #1. A period. #2. A semicolon. #3. A semicolon and a transition (followed by a comma). #4. A comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). #5. A subordinate conjunction.

ANSWERS Run-on Benjamin Franklin wanted to learn if lightning was an electrical phenomenon, he flew a kite in a thunderstorm. Fixes #1. phenomenon. He #2. phenomenon; he #3. phenomenon; therefore, he #4. phenomenon, so he #5. Because Benjamin Franklin wanted to learn if lightning was an electrical phenomenon, he flew a kite in a thunderstorm.

How would you fix this run-on? Betsy Ross was a seamstress who sewed the first American flag, in addition, she sewed ruffles on George Washington’s shirt cuffs.

How would you fix this run-on? Betsy Ross was a seamstress who sewed the first American flag, in addition, she sewed ruffles on George Washington’s shirt cuffs. Ruffles! No way! That was the style, dude!

FOR DISCUSSION Run-on Betsy Ross was a seamstress who sewed the first American flag, in addition, she sewed ruffles on George Washington’s shirt cuffs. Fixes #1. A period. #2. A semicolon. #3. A semicolon and a transition (followed by a comma). #4. A comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). #5. A subordinate conjunction.

ANSWERS Run-on Betsy Ross was a seamstress who sewed the first American flag, in addition, she sewed ruffles on George Washington’s shirt cuffs. Fixes #1. flag. In addition, she #2. flag; in addition, she #3. flag; in addition, she (“in addition” is a transition) #4. flag, and she #5. No answer possible. The clauses are equal so it is impossible to make one subordinate.

We’re almost done !

A WARNING! Under no circumstances try “correcting” run-ons by doing the following:

Using a coordinating conjunction (the FANBOYS) with a semicolon instead of a comma. WRONG! I like slide shows; but I’m starting to get bored.

Use a coordinating conjunction (the FANBOYS) with a COMMA. CORRECT I like slide shows, but I’m starting to get bored.

Use a coordinating conjunction (the FANBOYS) with COMMA. EVEN MORE CORRECT I like slide shows, so I could sit here forever.

Use a semicolon with a subordinating conjunction instead of a transition word. WRONG My cell phone is ringing; although I don’t think anybody can hear it.

Use a semicolon with transition words. CORRECT My cell phone is ringing; however, I don’t think anybody can hear it.

Yes, we can!

THE END