Run-on sentences are common within the writing of people whose first language is not English and in casual sentences of native speakers of the language. A run-on is a sentence with multiple independent clauses or sentences that are not joined or separated properly. Take a look at this example:
- Example 1: My hair was wet I dried it with a towel then I dried it with a hair dryer. → My hair was wet, so I dried it with a towel. Then, I dried it with a hair dryer.
You can either separate all three independent clauses into three different sentences or conjoin two of them into a compound sentence with a comma and coordinating conjunction. It is not recommended that you create a compound sentence with three or more independent clauses, as it may be verbose and not look like clean writing.
Another similar problem that is a common mistake made by non-native English speakers is the comma splice. Here’s an example:
Example 2: The store was full of children, they were so loud that my ears started hurting. → The store was full of children. They were so loud that my ears started hurting.
In a comma splice, the independent clauses are separated by a comma instead of properly separated into two different sentences or conjoined into a compound sentence. Comma splices are actually more common of a problem than run-on sentences, as the comma gives an illusion that proper punctuation was placed between the two independent clauses. Remember, if the two clauses can be sentences on their own, you should add a coordinating conjunction or separate the two sentences.
More example sentences:
- I turned in the survey yesterday in person I didn’t know I could do it online. → I turned in the survey yesterday in person; I didn’t know I could do it online.
- That batch of semiconductors were defective, all of them had to be recalled. → That batch of semiconductors were defective, so all of them had to be recalled.
- The feline protected her kits with her life She wouldn’t let anything harm them. → The feline protected her kits with her life. She wouldn’t let anything harm them.
- Zac stayed up all night to finish the research paper now he’s falling asleep in class. → Zac stayed up all night to finish the research paper. Now he’s falling asleep in class.
Want to check your writing for run-on sentences and comma splices? Go to Engram to have our AI proofreader check your sentences.
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