Fixing run-ons by creating separate sentences

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration, we have enough underfunded programs here on Earth. Revised sentence: Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration? We have enough underfunded programs here on Earth.

Since one independent clause is a question and the other is a statement, they should be separate sentences.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: I gave the necessary papers to the police officer then he said I would have to accompany him to the police station, where a counselor would talk with me and call my parents. Revised sentence: I gave the necessary papers to the police officer. Then he said I would have to accompany him to the police station, where a counselor would talk with me and call my parents.

Because the second independent clause is quite long, a sensible revision is to use separate sentences.

NOTE:When two quoted independent clauses are divided by explanatory words, make each clause its own sentence.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: “It's always smart to learn from your mistakes,” quipped my supervisor, “it's even smarter to learn from the mistakes of others.” Revised sentence: “It's always smart to learn from your mistakes,” quipped my supervisor. “It's even smarter to learn from the mistakes of others.”

Exercise: Run-on sentences 1

Exercise: Run-on sentences 2

Exercise: Run-on sentences 3

Exercise: Run-on sentences 4

Exercise: Run-on sentences 5

Exercise: Run-on sentences 6

Related topics:

Punctuating questions

Punctuating quotations

independent clause A word group containing a subject and a verb that can or does stand alone as a sentence.

independent clause A word group containing a subject and a verb that can or does stand alone as a sentence.