What are run-on sentences?
Run-on sentences are grammatical errors where two or more independent clauses (each of which could stand alone as a separate sentence) are improperly joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.
They can lead to confusion and obscure the meaning of the text, as they do not allow the reader to clearly see where one thought ends and another begins.
Types of Run-on Sentences
There are two main types of run-on sentences: fused sentences and comma splices.
Fused Sentences
A fused sentence happens when independent clauses are joined without any punctuation. Essentially, it’s as if the clauses have been “fused” together without a break, making it hard to see where one thought ends and another begins.
Example of a fused sentence:
- “I love to write music is my passion.”
- This sentence incorrectly joins two independent clauses (“I love to write” and “music is my passion”) without any punctuation or conjunction.
Comma Splices
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma without a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). While a comma does indicate a pause or a break, it’s not strong enough on its own to separate independent clauses.
Example of a comma splice:
- “I love to write, music is my passion.”
- Here, the comma between “write” and “music” is insufficient to properly connect the two independent clauses.
How To Fix and Avoid Run-On Sentences?
Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts that could stand alone as separate sentences) are incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. These sentences can confuse readers because they mash together ideas without clear separation.
Let’s deep dive into the topic and learn about how to fix and avoid run-on sentences.