25 Run-Ons

Run-ons are two complete thoughts that are run together with no adequate sign given to
mark the break between them. In this text, the term “run-on” refers to both comma splices and
fused sentences.

KEY TERMS

clause: a group of words having a subject and a verb.

comma splice: a comma incorrectly used to connect (“splice” together) two complete
thoughts. Example:

Comma splice: I go to school, my brother stays home.

Correct sentences: I go to school. My brother stays home.

dependent clause: a group of words having a subject and a verb that does not express
a complete thought and is not able to stand alone; also called a subordinate clause.

fused sentence: a run-on with no punctuation to mark the break between thoughts.
Example:

Fused sentence: I go to school my brother stays home.

Correct sentences: I go to school. My brother stays home.

independent clause: a group of words having a subject and a verb that expresses a
complete thought and is able to stand alone.

What Are Run-Ons?

A run-on consists of two complete thoughts run together without adequate punctuation to
signal the break between them.* There are two types of run-ons: fused sentences and comma
splices.

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 * Some instructors regard all run-ons as fused sentences. But for many other instructors,
and for our purposes in this book, the term run-on applies equally to fused sentences and
comma splices. The bottom line is that you do not want either fused sentences or comma
splices in your writing.

Some instructors refer to each complete thought in a run-on as an independent clause. A

clause is simply a group of words having a subject and a verb. A clause may be independent
(expressing a complete thought and able to stand alone) or dependent (not expressing a
complete thought and not able to stand alone). Using this terminology, we’d say that a run-on
is two independent clauses run together with no adequate sign given to mark the break
between them.

Fused sentences have no punctuation to mark the break between the two thoughts.

The bus stopped suddenly I found myself in an old man’s lap.

We heard a noise in the garage two birds had flown in through the open window.

Comma splices are the most common kind of run-on. Students sense that some kind of
connection is needed between two thoughts, so they often put a comma at the dividing point.
But the comma alone is not sufficient. A stronger, clearer mark is needed between the two
complete thoughts.

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The bus stopped suddenly. I found myself in an old man’s lap.

We heard a noise in the garage; two birds had flown in through the open window.

A Warning—Words That Can Lead to Run-Ons People often write run-ons when the second
complete thought begins with one of the following words:
 Be on the alert for run-ons whenever you use one of these words.

Three Ways to Correct Run-Ons

Here are three common methods of correcting a run-on:

1. Use a period and a capital letter to separate sentences:

The bus stopped suddenly. I found myself in an old man’s lap.

We heard a noise in the garage. Two birds had flown in through the open window.

2. Use a comma and a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet):

The bus stopped suddenly, and I found myself in an old man’s lap.

We heard a noise in the garage, for two birds had flown in through the open window.

3. Use a semicolon to connect the two complete thoughts:

The bus stopped suddenly; I found myself in an old man’s lap.

We heard a noise in the garage; two birds had flown in through the open window.

A fourth way to correct a run-on is to use subordination, which is discussed on page 488.

Method 1: Period and a Capital Letter

Use a period and a capital letter between two complete thoughts if the thoughts are not
closely related or if another method would make the sentence too long.

Activity 1

In the following run-ons, locate the point at which one complete thought ends and
another begins. Each is a fused sentence: two sentences joined with no punctuation.
Reading a sentence aloud helps you hear where the break is. At this point, your voice may
drop and pause. Correct each run-on by putting a period at the end of the first thought and
a capital letter at the start of the next.

EXAMPLE

Bev’s clock radio doesn’t work anymore spilled a glass of soda on it.

1. The men at the door claimed to have paving material left over from another job
they wanted to pave our driveway for a “bargain price.”

2. Linh, a paralegal who speaks Vietnamese, helps other people from her country
write wills she assists others by going with them when they have to appear in
court.

3. Vicky has a unique style of dressing she wore a man’s tuxedo with a red bow tie to
her cousin’s wedding.

4. The flower is the most important part of a plant it contains the seeds that enable
the plant to reproduce.

5. Humans have managed to adapt to any environment they can survive in Arctic
wastes, tropical jungles, and barren deserts.

6. Galileo discovered that two solid objects of different weights fall at the same
velocities he also made the first practical telescope for observing the heavens.

7. On our trip to Africa, we traveled to Mozambique and Zimbabwe then we went

north to Zambia.

8. Squirrels like to jump from trees onto our roof their footsteps sound like ghosts
running around our attic.

9. Today I didn’t make good time driving to work every traffic light along the way
was red.
 10. Since I started using the Internet, I’ve sent hundreds of e-mails to my friends I
never write letters by hand anymore.

Method 2: Comma and a Joining Word

Another way of correcting a run-on is to use a comma and a joining word to connect the
two complete thoughts. Joining words (also called conjunctions) include and, but, for, or, nor,
so, and yet. Here are what the four most common joining words mean:

and in addition

Teresa works full time for an accounting firm, and she takes evening classes.

(And means in addition: Teresa works full time for an accounting firm; in addition, she
takes evening classes.)

but however, on the other hand

I turned to the want ads, but I knew my dream job wouldn’t be listed.

(But means however: I turned to the want ads; however, I knew my dream job wouldn’t be
listed.)

for because

Lizards become sluggish at night, for they need the sun’s warmth to maintain an
active body temperature.

(For means because: Lizards become sluggish at night because they need the sun’s
warmth to maintain an active body temperature.)

so as a result, therefore

The canoe touched bottom, so Dave pushed it toward deeper water.

(So means as a result: The canoe touched bottom; as a result, Dave pushed it toward
deeper water.)

yet but, however, on the other hand

The defenders of the Alamo were vastly outnumbered, yet they refused to surrender.

(Yet means however: The defenders of the Alamo were vastly outnumbered; however, they
refused to surrender.)

Activity 2

Insert the joining word (and, but, for, so) that logically connects the two thoughts in
each sentence.

1. Napoleon may have been a brave general, _________ he was afraid of cats.

2. King MacBeth of Scotland (1040–1057) defeated King Duncan in battle, he

_________ later became the title character in one of Shakespeare’s tragedies.

3. The library had just closed, _________ I couldn’t get any of the reserved books.

4. Maria Montessori is known as a pioneer of modern education, _________ she

created a system that included “learning games” designed especially for children.

5. The tomato is very popular today, _________ it was once thought to be poisonous.

6. Elephants have no thumbs, _________ baby elephants suck their trunks.

7. Lonnie heard a noise and looked out the window, _________ the only thing there
was his reflection.

8. Although I like most creatures, I am not fond of snakes, _________ I like spiders
even less.

9. My sister wants to exercise more and use her car less, _________ she walks to the
grocery store.

10. Barry spends hours every day on his computer, _________ he often has the
television on at the same time.
 Activity 3

Add a complete and closely related thought to go with each of the following
statements. Use a comma and the indicated joining word when you write the second
thought.

EXAMPLE

for I decided to leave school an hour early,

___________________________________________

for I had a pounding headache.

but

1. The corner store is convenient

__________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

for

2. Leo attended night class

______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

and

3. Aisha studied for an hour before dinner

___________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

so

4. Marcia was unable to take Prof. Samuelson’s economics class

_________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 but

5. I had enough money to buy dinner

_______________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4

Correct each run-on with either (1) a period and a capital letter or (2) a comma and a
logical joining word. Do not use the same method of correction for every sentence.

Some of the run-ons are fused sentences (there is no punctuation between the two
complete thoughts), and some are comma splices (there is only a comma between the two
complete thoughts). One sentence is correct.

EXAMPLE

There was a strange odor in the called the gas company immediately.

1. Oxygen is an odorless gas discovered independently by Joseph Priestly and Karl

Scheele, it is the third most abundant element in the universe.

2. Cockroaches adapt to any environment they have even been found living inside
nuclear reactors.

3. My dog was panting from the heat I decided to wet him down with the garden
hose.

4. Our science class is working on a weather project with students from Russia we
communicate by computer almost every day.

5. My grandfather is 85 years old, he goes to work every day.

6. The bristles of the paintbrushes were very stiff, soaking them in turpentine made
them soft again.
 7. Chen borrows cassettes from the library to listen to on the way to work, some are
music, and some are recordings of best-selling books.

8. Thomas Paine, who supported the American Revolution, was accused of treason in
England, he escaped to France in 1793.

9. Today, there are only eight major planets in our solar system, for astronomers
have downgraded Pluto to a dwarf planet.

10. I volunteered to run the Meals on Wheels service in our city we deliver hot
meals to sick or housebound people.

Method 3: Semicolon
A third way to correct a run-ons is to use a semicolon to mark the break between thoughts.
When used to correct run-ons, a semicolon can be used alone or with a transitional word.

Semicolon Alone Unlike the comma alone, a semicolon can be used to connect the two
complete thoughts:

Lonnie heard a noise and looked out the window; the only thing he saw was his
reflection.

Lizards become sluggish at night; they need the sun’s warmth to maintain an active
body temperature.

We knew a power failure had occurred; all the clocks were forty-seven minutes slow.

Using semicolons can add to sentence variety. For some people, however, the semicolon
is a confusing punctuation mark. Keep in mind that if you are not comfortable using it, you
can and should use one of the the first two methods of correcting run-ons.

Activity 5

Insert a semicolon where the break occurs between the two complete thoughts in each
 of the following sentences.

EXAMPLE

The plumber gave me an estimate of $260; I decided to repair the faucet myself.

1. The children stared at the artichokes on their plates they didn’t know how to eat
the strange vegetable.

2. Ecuador is in South America it is bordered by Colombia and Peru.

3. The Great Wall of China is immense it’s the only human construction visible
from the moon.

4. Elaine woke up at 3 A.M. to the smell of sizzling bacon her husband was having
another insomnia attack.

5. Maya curled up under the covers she tried to get warm by grasping her icy feet
with her chilly hands.

6. Honshu is the largest island in Japan it is also the most densely populated.

7. Ice had formed on the inside edge of our window Joey scratched a J in it with his
finger.

8. Charles peered into the microscope he saw only his own eyelashes.

9. A man in a bear suit walked slowly down the street the children stopped their play
to stare at him.

10. Ceylon was declared independent in 1948 later it became known as Sri Lanka.

Semicolon with a Transitional Word A semicolon can be used with a transitional word and
a comma to join two complete thoughts.
 I tried to cash my paycheck; however, I had forgotten to bring my identification.

Athletic shoes must fit perfectly; otherwise, wearers may injure their feet.

People use seventeen muscles when they smile; on the other hand, they use forty-
three muscles when they frown.

Here is a list of transitional words, also known as adverbial conjunctions.

Activity 6

For each sentence, choose a logical transitional word from the box above, and write it
in the space provided. Use a semicolon before the connector and a comma after it.
EXAMPLE

I dread going to parties; however, my husband loves meeting new people.

1. Jackie suffers from migraine headaches ________________ her doctor has

advised her to avoid caffeine and alcohol.

2. Kryptonite is a fictitious substance that is supposed to be harmful to Superman

______________________ krypton is a real element, which was discovered in
1989.

3. I try to attend all my math classes _________________ I’ll get too far behind to
 pass the weekly quizzes.

4. We were asleep in our tent __________________ two bears crept into our
campsite and began searching for food.

5. The reporter was tough and experienced __________________ even he was

stunned by the tragic events.

A Note on Subordination
A fourth method of joining related thoughts is to use subordination. Subordination is a way
of showing that one thought in a sentence is not as important as another thought.
(Subordination is explained in full on pages 125–126.) Below are three earlier sentences,
recast so that one idea is subordinated to (made less important than) the other idea. In each
case, the subordinate (or less important) thought is underlined. Note that each subordinate
clause begins with a dependent word.

Because the library had just closed, I couldn’t get any of the reserved books.
When the canoe touched bottom, Dave pushed the craft toward deeper water.
I didn’t make good time driving to work today because every traffic light along the way was
red.

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A Review: How to Check for Run-Ons

1. To see if a sentence is a run-on, read it aloud and listen for a break marking two
complete thoughts. Your voice will probably drop and pause at the break.

2. To check an entire paper, read it aloud from the last sentence to the first. Doing so will
help you hear and see each complete thought.
 3. Be on the lookout for words that can lead to run-on sentences:

4. Correct run-ons by using one of the following methods:

Period and a capital letter
Comma and a joining word (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet)
Semicolon, alone or with a transitional word Subordination

Review Test 1

Correct each run-on with either (1) a period and a capital letter or (2) a comma (if needed)
and the joining word and, but, for, or so. Do not use the same method of correction for every
sentence.

Some of the run-ons are fused sentences (there is no punctuation between the two
complete thoughts), and some are comma splices (there is only a comma between the two
complete thoughts). One sentence is correct.

1. Slovakia, a country in eastern Europe, was once ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire,
it is now an independent country.

2. The children in the next car were making faces at other drivers. when I made a face
back, they giggled and sank out of sight.

3. Chuck finished reading Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn then he
began to take notes for his report.

4. The branches of the tree were bare they made a dark feathery pattern against the
orange-pink sunset.

5. Ernest hemingway drove an ambulance in World War I, he based the novel A Farewell
to Arms on that experience.

6. Our class wanted to do something for the earthquake victims, we sent a donation to the
 Red Cross.

7. My ex-husband hit me just once in our marriage. five minutes later I was packed and
walking out the door.

8. Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in New York on May 20, 1927 thirty-
three-and-a-half hours later, he landed in Paris, France, completing the first nonstop
transatlantic flight.

9. The average American teenager spends thirty-eight hours a week on schoolwork. the
average Japanese teenager spends about sixty.

10. We stocked our backpacks with high-calorie candy bars, and we also brought bags of
dried apricots and peaches.

Review Test 2

Correct each run-on by using (1) a period and a capital letter, (2) a comma and a joining
word, or (3) a semicolon. Do not use one method exclusively.

1. The nervous system works by transmitting signals from all parts of the body to the
brain then it sends return signals to various organs and muscles.

2. With a groan, Margo pried off her high heels, then she plunged her swollen feet into a
bucket of baking soda and hot water.

3. At 2 A.M. the last customer left the diner, a busboy began stacking chairs on the tables
for the night.

4. Hypnosis has nothing to do with the occult. it is merely a state of deep relaxation.

5. Many young adults today live at home with their parents this allows them to save
money.

6. Many politicians wanted America to remain neutral during world War II the attack on
Pearl Harbor in 1941 made that impossible.
 7. Early in life, Thomas Edison suffered with deafness, he taught his wife-to-be Morse
code while he was courting her.

8. Originally, horses were too small to carry riders very far larger horses had to be bred
for use in warfare.

9. The words month, silver, purple, and orange have something in common, no other
English words rhyme with them.

10. I had heard that the Taj Mahal was one of the wonders of the world I planned a special
excursion to visit this magnificent tomb.

Review Test 3

Locate and correct the five run-ons in the passage that follows.

My worst experience of the week was going home for lunch, rather than eating at work.
My children didn’t know I was coming, they had used most of the bread. All I had to
make a sandwich with were two thin, crumpled pieces of crust. I sat there eating my
tattered sandwich and trying to relax, then the telephone rang. It was for my daughter,
who was in the bathroom she called down to me that I should get the person’s name and
number. As soon as I sat down again, someone knocked on the door it was a neatly
dressed couple with bright eyes who wanted to talk with me about a higher power in life.
I politely got rid of them and went back to finish lunch. I thought I would relax over my
coffee, I had to break up a fight between my two young sons about which television
channel to watch. As a last bit of frustration, my daughter came downstairs and asked me
to drive her over to a friend’s house before I went back to work.

Review Test 4

On separate paper, write quickly for five minutes about what you did this past weekend.
Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, finding exact words, or organizing your thoughts.
Just focus on writing as many words as you can without stopping.

After you have finished, go back and correct any run-ons in your writing.