Correcting Run-On Sentences

by Pamela Ross

One of a writer’s biggest nemeses, usage-wise, is the run-on sentence. They make your writing harder to understand, no matter the form or genre. A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are connected improperly.

Example: I love to read books I would read one every day if I had the time

There are two complete sentences in the above example: “I love to read books.” “I would read one every day if I had the time.”

One of the most common types of run-ons is the comma splice. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined by a comma.

Example: Guests could arrive in the morning or the evening, they just needed to indicate their arrival time beforehand.

S1: Guests could arrive in the morning or the evening.

S2: They just needed to indicate their arrival time beforehand.

Sometimes, a comma splice occurs when the writer tries to use a transitional phrase in the middle of a sentence.

Example: The employee hadn’t completed her portion of the project, moreover she hadn’t told her teammates about its status

S1: The employee hadn’t completed her portion of the project.

Transitional expression: moreover

S2: She hadn’t told her teammates about its status.

This type of run-on can be addressed by adding a semicolon before the transitional expression and a comma after it, i.e., “The employee hadn’t completed her portion of the project; moreover, she hadn’t told her teammates about its status.”

Fortunately, correcting run-on sentences isn’t difficult and results in clearer, easier-to-understand writing. All you have to do is connect its independent clauses properly. The easiest way is to simply use that pillar of punctuation the period. Let’s return to our first run-on example:

I love to read books I would read one every day if I had the time

Corrected: I love to read books. I would read one every day if I had the time.

Clauses can also be successfully joined by a semicolon. Using one is a stylistic choice that implies a close relationship between the two thoughts.

Corrected: I love to read books; I would read one every day if I had the time.

A comma paired with a coordinating conjunction can do the trick.

Corrected: I love to read books, and I would read one every day if I had the time.

Finally, you can use a subordinating conjunction by turning one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause.

Corrected: Because I love reading books, I would read one every day if I had the time.

No matter how you revise sentences, remember to vary the length and syntax so readers stay engaged. Correcting run-ons is a skill essential to composing grammatically sound writing. For more grammar and usage how-tos, become a Write Label Creative and gain access to our resource library.