A run-on sentence is one that contains two or more independent clauses (simple sentences) that are not properly connected.
Types of run-on
There are two main types of run-on: the fused run-on and the comma splice. A few sources identify a third kind of run-on, sometimes called the and run-on.
Fused run-on
In a fused run-on, the clauses are run together without anything to connect them:
- The power went out last night the lights were off all over the city.
Comma splice
In a comma splice, the clauses are joined incorrectly with a comma:
- The power went out last night, the lights were off all over the city.
(The use of a comma alone between independent clauses is correct only if the clauses are short and parallel: John saved, Tara spent.)
The comma splice is especially common when a conjunctive adverb (however, in addition, therefore, etc.) appears between the two clauses:
- The power went out last night, therefore, the lights were off all over the city.
And run-on
In an and run-on, the clauses are incorrectly joined by one of the coordinating conjunctions alone, without a comma:
- The power went out last night and [or so] the lights were off all over the city.
Correcting a run-on
There are several ways to correct a run-on sentence. You can try one of the following solutions.
Solution 1
Separate the two clauses with a period:
- The power went out last night. The lights were off all over the city.
Solution 2
Join the two clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so):
- The power went out last night, and the lights were off all over the city.
Solution 3
Join the two clauses with a semicolon (and a conjunctive adverb if it improves the flow of ideas):
- The power went out last night; the lights were off all over the city.
- The power went out last night; as a result, the lights were off all over the city.
Solution 4
Make one of the clauses into a dependent word group (such as a dependent clause or a phrase):
- When the power went out last night, the lights were off all over the city.
- During last night’s power outage, the lights were off all over the city.
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