1. Chapter Twenty-Five Run-On Sentences
Prepared by Professors Rita Perkins and Paul Harris
Camden County College

2. Run-On Sentences The Two Types of Comma Splices: Fused Sentences:
They are fused or
joined together as if
they were only one
thought.
Comma Splices:
A comma is used to connect
or “splice” together the
two complete thoughts. A
comma alone is NOT
ENOUGH to connect two
complete sentences.
Error
Error
Rob exercises everyday he
should be in good condition.
Rob exercises everyday, he
should be in good condition.

3. correcting a run-on is to
How to Correct Run-Ons
There are three common methods of correcting a run-on:
Use a period and a capital letter.
Use a comma plus a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) to connect the two complete thoughts.
Use a semicolon to connect the two complete thoughts:
Note:
A fourth method of
correcting a run-on is to
use subordination.

4. Correcting Run-On Sentences
One way of correcting a run-on is to use a period and a capital letter between the two complete sentences. Use this method especially if the thoughts are not closely related.
Kristin plays the guitar well she hopes to start her own band.
Revision: Kristin plays the guitar well. She hopes to start her own band.

5. Correcting Run-On Sentences
Another way of correcting a run-on is to use a comma plus a joining word to connect the two complete thoughts. There are seven joining words (also called conjunctions).
Kristin plays the guitar well, and she hopes to start her own band.

6. Adding a Coordinating Conjunction
“FANBOYS”
One way to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions is to put them in this order:
For
Nor
And
Michael plays the trumpet well, so he hopes to be selected for the jazz band.
But So Or
Yet

7. Correcting Run-On Sentences
A third method of correcting a run-on is to use a semicolon to mark the break between two sentences.
A semicolon looks like a period above a comma.
When it is used to correct run-ons, the semicolon can be used alone or with a transitional word.
Kristin plays the guitar
well; she hopes to start
her own band.
Also correct:
Kristin plays the guitar
well; consequently,
she hopes to start
her own band.

8. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect. (Click to see the answer.)
1. The temperature dropped
below freezing last night.
We had to bring our plants
indoors.

9. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Correct
1. The temperature dropped below freezing last night. We had to bring our plants indoors.

10. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Correct
2. The temperature dropped below freezing last night; we had to bring our plants indoors.

11. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Correct
3. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, so we had to bring our plants indoors.

12. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Incorrect
4. The temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors.

13. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Correct
5. Because the temperature dropped below freezing last night, we had to bring our plants indoors.

14. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Correct
6. If the temperature drops below freezing tonight, we must remember to bring our plants indoors.

15. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
“Therefore” is not one of the
seven coordinating conjunctions,
so it cannot be used with a
comma between two
independent clauses.
See your text for a list
of transitional words..
Incorrect
7.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, therefore, we had to bring our plants indoors.

16. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
Incorrect
8.The temperature dropped below freezing last night, thus we had to bring our plants indoors.

17. Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices
Practice Review: Identify each entry as correct or incorrect.
It is a fused sentence.
Incorrect
9.The temperature dropped below freezing last night
we had to bring our plants indoors.