S2 Fused Sentences

H-7

A fused or run-on sentence consists of two independent clauses run together with no punctuation.

FUSED SENTENCE image

Because a fused sentence can be edited in many ways, first consider how the ideas in the two independent clauses are related, and then select the most appropriate strategy from among the following.

Make one of the clauses subordinate to the other by adding a subordinating conjunction and rewording as necessary.

By beginning a clause with a subordinating conjunction, you indicate that the clause is subordinate to — and dependent on — the main clause. Usually, the dependent clause explains or qualifies the independent clause. Choose the subordinating conjunction carefully so that it tells the reader how the dependent clause relates to the independent clause. For example, the writer might emphasize the causal relationship between two clauses by using the word because.

Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction to separate the independent clauses.