15 Avoiding Run-on Sentences
KEY CONCEPTS
Run-on sentences occur when two complete sentences are combined without using a conjunction or correct punctuation. Media writers should avoid run-on sentences.
A comma splice is one type of run-on sentence and a common writing error. In a comma splice, two independent sentences are incorrectly spliced together with only a comma.
INCORRECT – The game lasted four hours, some spectators left early. (comma splice)
CORRECT – The game lasted four hours. Some spectators left early.
CORRECT – Because the game lasted four hours, some spectators left early.
Be careful to use commas and periods in the right places otherwise you wind up with ugly run-on sentences that seem to last forever and it can annoy readers who just want the sentence to stop so please make it stop, quit using comma splices.
This chapter can help you avoid run-on sentences like the one above.
A run-on sentence often occurs when two separate sentences are separated by a comma instead of a period. This type of error is sometimes called a comma splice.
Let’s start with a question that illustrates this concept.
You can sometimes fix run-on sentences by adding a connecting word, often called a conjunction. In the flip card above, the conjunction is Because.
Let’s try another question.
In the flip card above, we call the second suggestion a compound sentence because it contains two independent ideas joined by a comma and then a conjunction (but). The most common conjunctions are and, but and or. The English Club website features a list of commonly used conjunctions, including these:
| After | Before | Though |
| Although | If | Unless |
| And, But, Or | Since | Until |
| As | So | Whether |
| Because | Than | While |
The last question in this chapter gives you a closing review.
MORE PRACTICE FOR PROFICIENCY
Below are additional usage questions based on this chapter. These questions may help you study for course assignments or a proficiency exam.
(NOTE – The automated grading on the exercise above may seem different than a standard right/wrong format. It will still display your correct and incorrect responses, though. Don’t worry about your calculated score. Just focus on learning.)
WRITING EXERCISE
1. Use a conjunction to rewrite the following sentence and fix the comma splice:
The weather forecast shows thunderstorms throughout the weekend, the community trick-or-treat event will be held Monday instead of Saturday.
2. Use a conjunction to rewrite the following run-on sentence:
The music festival will start at noon a local children’s choir will perform first.
3. Compose your own sentence that uses although as a conjunction.
4. In two tightly constructed sentences, explain your key takeaway from this chapter. Do not use any first-person pronouns (such as I, me, my or mine) in your writing.
