Run-Ons

A run-on is two complete sentences (independent clauses) joined incorrectly as one sentence. (For help identifying a complete sentence, see Chapter 14.) There are two kinds of run-ons: fused sentences and comma splices. A fused sentence is two complete sentences joined without any punctuation.

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A comma splice is two complete sentences joined by only a comma.

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When you join two sentences, use the proper punctuation.

CORRECTIONS Exercise is important; it has many benefits.
My mother jogs every morning; she runs three miles.

To find run-ons, focus on each sentence in your writing, one at a time.

Once you have found a run-on, there are three ways to correct it.

WAYS TO CORRECT RUN-ONS

  1. Add a period or a semicolon.
  2. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
  3. Add a dependent word.