Run-on
A run-on is two complete ideas incorrectly joined.
Run-ons are generally classified as either comma splices or fused sentences.
A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with a comma.
A fused sentence runs two independent clauses together without an appropriate conjunction or mark of punctuation.
EXAMPLES:
Comma Splices:
Mary walked into the room, she found a mouse on her desk.
The vest was beautiful, it had intricate embroidery.
My sister loves The Honeymooners, she watches it every night at 11:00.
Fused Sentences:
Many people are afraid of computers they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic programming.
All the word processing programs come with built-in lessons you can learn to do basic word processing in an afternoon or less.
The on-line spell check and thesaurus are especially handy they do not take the place of a good dictionary.
Correcting Run-On Sentences
There are four ways to correct both comma splices and fused sentences:
• separate the clauses into two separate sentences,
• insert a comma and coordinating conjunction between clauses to create a compound sentence,
• insert a semicolon between clauses,
• subordinate one clause to the other to create a complex sentence.
EXAMPLES:
Create Two Sentences:
Mary walked into the room. She found a mouse on her desk.
Many people are afraid of computers. They do not realize how easy it is to learn basic programming.
Insert Comma and Coordinating Conjunction:
Mary walked into the room, and she found a mouse on her desk.
Many people are afraid of computers, for they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic programming.
Insert Semicolon:
Mary walked into the room; she found a mouse on her desk.
Many people are afraid of computers; they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic programming.
Subordinate One Clause to the Other:
When Mary walked into the room, she found a mouse on her desk.
Many people are afraid of computers, since they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic programming.
Sample Usage
As mentioned above.
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