OVERVIEW
The Nuts and Bolts of Run-on Sentences
In a run-on, two complete sentences have been joined together incorrectly and punctuated as though they were a single sentence. Here is an example of a run-on:
This kind of run-on is called a comma splice because it incorrectly uses a comma to join two complete sentences. If the two sentences had been put together without any punctuation at all, it would be another kind of run-on called a fused sentence. Writers sometimes create run-ons when they try to keep closely related ideas together within the same sentence. Two good ways to achieve the same goal are to join the related sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or with a semicolon (;).
Watch the tutorial below and then complete the follow pre-quiz.
PRE QUIZ
Question 1. Choose the revision that corrects the following run-on sentence.
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and) to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
Incorrect.
Question 2. Choose the revision that eliminates the comma splice in the following sentence:
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 are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a semicolon instead of a comma to separate the two ideas eliminates the comma splice.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (Political groups spend more than ever on advertising and Reform is needed to limit spending). A comma alone is not enough to separate these independent clauses. The two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to replace the comma with a semicolon.
Question 3. Choose the revision that eliminates the comma splice in the following sentence:
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a period instead of a comma to separate the two ideas eliminates the comma splice.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (My school requires all students to complete a science class and I chose the introductory course in environmental studies). A comma alone is not enough to separate these independent clauses. The two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to replace the comma with a period.
Question 4. Choose the revision that eliminates the comma splice in the following sentence:
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a coordinating conjunction along with a comma to separate the two ideas eliminates the comma splice.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (The most popular movies are usually released in the summer and The award-winners usually come out in the fall). A comma alone is not enough to separate these independent clauses. The two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to use a comma and the coordinating conjunction and.
Question 5. Choose the revision that corrects the following run-on sentence:
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
You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a comma before the coordinating conjunction "but" to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (Car insurance is expensive and The state requires every driver to have it). Therefore, the two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma before the coordinating conjunction (but). The only one of those choices offered here is to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
Question 6. Choose the revision that corrects the following run-on sentence:
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a comma along with a coordinating conjunction (and) to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (Everyone should know the signs of a stroke and It is important to get immediate help). Therefore, the two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to use a comma along with the coordinating conjunction and.
Question 7. Choose the revision that corrects the following run-on sentence:
cWJai+JEX1tBnrgz8GCm9W8ufDpOHix1u4JxURjRqbX2DmE9M1ai61+ss2ywX6sdZZC+ARL+NvX+fmNmBlisN01vdOo7yl9tcyUpaRmN68WyTwrgnJZUDroywwhD5hz4d7rIoJn7Bb456rOQe/Fzy8aWsTv6fA50XcwYKzWY/JHZmpD2sJOQTeneaJzDq4ymc/gihjb7hgMVekqO69Y97T7s9pKAtT7MgJG5yt1q1Xyl7HpSA78obtnf1nX3R5Hs/l96deguyNxMYyUSFcmEIPCUjcOrGPOKqK7rZxWmEp24Q3sV2bQOAoH5X89XSfg/kLQ6ZcSCpEISdgmlaplA4io4SDGJfguZuQMcIvtfLPjTXXVYE145+sEmBxs66t273td9Ax5cGlPaBFOLppTQjD5K/psmNeaMPvJHjL0Jv3zUYzWms/YB0WwMAsIdiBdrEa91SxR/ZLI5pMDWHxBoIPcUjXU=You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a semicolon to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (I took my dog to the veterinarian yesterday and The news was not good). Therefore, the two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to use a semicolon.
Question 8. Which of the statements below is true about the following sentence?
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 are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a comma and the coordinating conjunction and to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (There are many ways to help others and Blood donations are always needed). Therefore, the two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to use a comma and coordinating conjunction (and).
Question 9. Which of the statements below is true about the following sentence?
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. A comma and the coordinating conjunction but are correctly used to separate the two ideas.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (Dillon wants a new phone for his birthday and I'm not sure I can afford that right now). A comma and the coordinating conjunction but are correctly used to separate the two ideas.
Question 10. Which of the statements below is true about the following sentence?
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You are correct! The sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences. Using a period to separate the two ideas eliminates the run-on.
This sentence contains two separate ideas that could stand alone as complete sentences (All applicants need to fill out these three forms and Our human resources department will send out responses within two weeks). Therefore, the two ideas must be separated in one of three ways: with a period, a semicolon, or a comma and coordinating conjunction. The only one of those choices offered here is to use a period.