Avoid Run-on Sentences

Read this article on run-on sentences.

What is a Run-on Sentence?

A run-on (or fused) sentence consists of two or more independent clauses that have been joined without appropriate punctuation or coordinating words. Dividing a run-on sentence into concise, meaningful units can help to clarify your message.


How to Divide a Run-on Sentence

  • Locate the fused independent clauses; it may help to underline the subject-verb pairs.

  • Draw a vertical line (or lines) on your paper to separate the independent clauses.

  • Use an end mark and proper capitalization to separate the independent clauses into two (or more) complete sentences.

  • Use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (fanboys: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate related independent clauses.

  • Use a semicolon (;), colon (:), or dash (–) to separate related independent clauses.

  • Change one independent clause into a dependent clause and join the two clauses, using appropriate punctuation.

  • Rewrite two fused independent clauses as one cohesive independent clause.


Let's Look at an Example:

Incorrect: One way to confront a problem is to seek advice it can come from someone with more life experience.

Correction A: One way to confront a problem is to seek advice; it can come from someone with more life experience.

Correction B: One way to confront a problem is to seek advice. Frequently, guidance can come from someone with more life experience.



Source: Writing Commons, https://writingcommons.org/avoid-run-on-sentences
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Last modified: Thursday, November 21, 2019, 5:39 PM