1. Definition of a Run-On Sentence

• A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. This results in a sentence that can be confusing or difficult to read.

2. Types of Run-On Sentences

• Fused Sentence: This is when two independent clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction between them.
  • Example: “She loves reading she goes to the library every day.”
  • Correction: “She loves reading. She goes to the library every day.”
• Comma Splice: This is when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
  • Example: “The sun set, we went inside.”
  • Correction: “The sun set, so we went inside.” or “The sun set. We went inside.”

3. Identifying Run-On Sentences

• Look for Two Independent Clauses: Check if there are two or more groups of words that could stand alone as sentences.
  • Example: “The movie was exciting it kept everyone on the edge of their seats.”
  • Correction: “The movie was exciting. It kept everyone on the edge of their seats.”
• Check for Proper Punctuation: Ensure that independent clauses are separated by a period, semicolon, or a comma followed by a conjunction.
  • Incorrect: “I love ice cream, it’s my favorite dessert.”
  • Correction: “I love ice cream; it’s my favorite dessert.”
• Read the Sentence Aloud: If the sentence feels rushed or too long without a natural pause, it might be a run-on.
  • Example: “She wanted to go to the party however she had to study for her exams.”
  • Correction: “She wanted to go to the party; however, she had to study for her exams.”

4. Correcting Run-On Sentences

• Use a Period: Split the run-on into two separate sentences.
  • Run-On: “He finished his homework he went to bed.”
  • Correction: “He finished his homework. He went to bed.”
• Use a Comma and Coordinating Conjunction: Join the clauses with a comma followed by a conjunction like “and,” “but,” “or,” “so,” etc.
  • Run-On: “The weather was bad we canceled the picnic.”
  • Correction: “The weather was bad, so we canceled the picnic.”
• Use a Semicolon: If the two clauses are closely related, you can use a semicolon to connect them.
  • Run-On: “She loves to dance she practices every day.”
  • Correction: “She loves to dance; she practices every day.”
• Use a Subordinate Conjunction: Make one of the clauses dependent by using words like “because,” “although,” “since,” etc.
  • Run-On: “He didn’t study he failed the test.”
  • Correction: “Because he didn’t study, he failed the test.”

5. Practice Identifying Run-On Sentences

• Exercise: Provide students with a mix of correct sentences and run-on sentences. Have them identify the run-ons and correct them.
  • Example: “I woke up late I missed the bus.”
  • Correction: “I woke up late, so I missed the bus.”