eworking run-on sentence
Run on sentences
Jan 17, 2015
An overview of the most common errors made in sentence construction and how to remedy them.
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Transcript
Reworking run-on sentences
Run-on sentences are independent clauses that haven’t been joined
correctly.
There are 2 types of run-on sentence:
Fused sentences:
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Comma splices:
Air pollution poses risks to all humans, it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans, however, it can be deadly for asthmatics
When two or more independent clauses appear in one sentence they can only be correctly joined in a couple of ways...
With a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
Or with a semicolon (or occasionally a colon or dash)
To correct a run-on sentence you have 4 options:
1. Use a comma and coordinating conjunction
2. Use a semicolon (or dash/colon)3. Make the clauses into separate sentences4. Restructure the sentence, perhaps by
making one of the clauses subordinate
Use a comma and coordinating conjunction.
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is usually preceded by a comma.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans, but it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Use a semicolon (or dash/colon).
When the independent clauses are closely related and their relation is clear without a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon is acceptable.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans; it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Make the clauses into separate sentences.
If both independent clauses are long – or if one is a question and the other is not – consider making them separate sentences.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans. It can be deadly for asthmatics.
Restructure the sentence, perhaps by making one of the clauses subordinate.
While this can take work, it can lead to variety and some interesting expressions.
Air pollution poses risks to all humans it can be deadly for asthmatics.
Although air pollution poses risks to all humans, it can be deadly for asthmatics.
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