Avoiding Run-on Sentences

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CLAUSES A CLAUSE IS A GROUP OF WORDS WITH A

SUBJECT AND A VERB.

AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE CAN STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE.

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE CANNOT STAND ALONE AS A SENTENCE.

EVERY SENTENCE MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE; OTHERWISE, THE RESULT IS A SENTENCE FRAGMENT.


Avoiding Run-on Sentences

The length of a sentence has nothing to do with whether or not a sentence is considered a run-on. An over-exuberant, run-off-at-the-mouth, 400-word gorilla of a sentence can be structurally fine. A run-on sentence is one in which two clauses have been connected incorrectly. (If you’d like, click on the word “clauses” to review that concept.)


Avoiding Run-on SentencesLet’s think of an independent clause as an independently operated train headed west . . .

getting connected to another train headed east.

Some students think they can study for an important

exam by “cramming” all night, they are probably wrong.

Nothing but grief will result from coupling these train clauses incorrectly! For example. . . .



Some students think they can study for an important exam by

“cramming” all night, they are probably wrong.

This is an example of the dreaded COMMA SPLICE!

A comma splice connects two independent clauses with only a comma.

There are several ways to fix a comma splice. . . .


Avoiding Run-on Sentences1. We can insert a period and start a new sentence.

Some students think they can study for an important exam by

“cramming” all night. They are probably wrong.

2. We can insert a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Some students think they can study for an important exam by “cramming” all night, but they are probably wrong.

3. We can use a semicolon.

Some students think they can study for an important

exam by “cramming” all night; they are probably wrong.


COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS, ALONG WITH A COMMA, CAN JOIN INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. Do not start a sentence with the words below.

»AND, BUT,AND, BUT,

»OR, NOR,OR, NOR,

»FOR, SO, YETFOR, SO, YET

****To avoid fragments, To avoid fragments, do do notnot start a sentence with a start a sentence with a coordinating conjunctioncoordinating conjunction


Beware…………

****To avoid To avoid fragments, fragments, do notdo not start a sentence with start a sentence with a coordinating a coordinating conjunction**conjunction**


Don’t commit a personal foul…the dreaded FRAGMENT

And no one will be admitted during the second act.

Or we can take the test early as well. But the character does attempt to clear

his wife’s name. For the opening band is Lennie Kravitz Nor will the movie start on time.


Using coordinating conjunctions properly (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet):

A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains 1 independent clause

A COMPOUND SENTENCE contains 2 independent clauses

Be careful….coordinating conjunctions don’t always need a comma


Let’s practice…….

Mary Lou told a tale about a male, AND she yelled to a girl wearing a string of pearls.

Notice how there is an independent clause on EACH SIDE OF THE CONJUNCTION. This is an example of a COMPOUND SENTENCE.


OTHER EXAMPLES…

Everyone took his book to class and read for an hour.

The sentence above is an example of a SIMPLE SENTENCE (only 1 independent clause…all we have here is a compound verb. No independent clause on each side of the conjunction.


Practice Mrs. Koon and her three beagles hunted

all day in the swamp and then she grilled rattlesnake for dinner.

Mrs. Koon and her best friend Beth shopped all day and ate dinner at Manzetti’s.


SIMPLE OR COMPOUND?

Until the rain falls, we will have to water lawns less often and conserve other resources.

Last night Mr. Blake left a message and he reminded us of our late start day.


SIMPLE OR COMPOUND? PUNCTUATE ACCORDINGLY

You can take the test early or make it up after school.

I will gladly help you with the paper but I will not correct your errors for you.

Alicia gave me her money but did not take her receipt.

Leroy wrote me a love letter but he forgot to sign his name.


Conjunctive Adverbs, along with proper punctuation, can also join two independent clauses

KNOW KNOW THESE CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS:THESE CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS:

Therefore, consequently, moreover,Therefore, consequently, moreover, However, besides, thus, furthermore,However, besides, thus, furthermore, As a result, for example, for instance, As a result, for example, for instance, Hence, still, neverthelessHence, still, nevertheless


These words/phrases must be incorporated into your writing. They provide clear transitions, which help you to avoid “choppiness” between ideas Therefore, consequently, moreover,Therefore, consequently, moreover, However, besides, thus, furthermore,However, besides, thus, furthermore, As a result, for example, for instance, As a result, for example, for instance, Hence, still, neverthelessHence, still, nevertheless


When using conjunctive adverbs, punctuate accordingly:

We waited until the last minute to do our We waited until the last minute to do our homeworkhomework; therefore,; therefore, we lost much sleep. we lost much sleep.

Huck and Jim have more in common than we Huck and Jim have more in common than we realizerealize; for example,; for example, both are desperately both are desperately seeking freedom from society.seeking freedom from society.

He was absentHe was absent; as a result,; as a result, he missed the test. he missed the test. The storm came during the nightThe storm came during the night; however,; however, we we

were still prepared to take cover.were still prepared to take cover.


BUT……be careful……

Sometimes conjunctive adverbs like HOWEVER and THEREFORE will simply interrupt one independent clause. When that is the case, punctuate accordingly:

I willI will, however,, however, give a speech later today. give a speech later today. However,However, no one will see us if we are no one will see us if we are

quiet.quiet. You canYou can, therefore,, therefore, take the test early. take the test early.



There are three situations in which run-on sentences are apt to happen:

1. When a pronoun in the second clause refers to a noun in the first clause: The President’s popularity has plummeted, she apparently underestimated the opposition.

2. When a suggestion or directive occurs in the second clause: You will be responsible for this material on the final exam, study it thoroughly now.

3. When two clauses are connected by a transitional expression: Many people think protectionism can halt rising prices, however, the opposite is actually true.



1. The President’s popularity has plummeted, and she apparently underestimated the opposition.

2. You will be responsible for this material on the final exam; study it thoroughly now.

3. Many people think protectionism can halt rising prices; however, the opposite is actually true.



Now you’ll never again write a run-on sentence!

Documents

Avoiding Run-on Sentences