What Defines A Run-on Sentence?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

A run-on sentence

results from two or more complete sentences being connected without any punctuation

. … The best way to find a run-on sentence is to determine whether there is more than one independent clause in the same sentence without punctuation.

What are the three types of run on sentences?

The three types of run-on sentences are

comma splices, fused sentences, and polysyndetons

. First, comma splices occur when a comma joins two independent clauses instead of a semicolon. Secondly, fused sentences crash two independent clauses together without any punctuation.

What is run-on sentence example?

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly. Example:

I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.

What does a run-on sentence include?

Run-on sentences, also known as fused sentences, occur

when two complete sentences are squashed together without using a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation

, such as a period or a semicolon. Run-on sentences can be short or long. A long sentence isn’t necessarily a run-on sentence.

How long does a sentence have to be to be a run on?

So, a run

-on can be as short as four words (subject-verb x 2)

, and a grammatically correct sentence can be as long as 4,391 words (Ulysses, by James Joyce, that sadist). The Goldilocks “just right” principle is that all the pieces are properly linked to convey a coherent idea.

Can a run-on sentence have a comma?

3. A run-on sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses that are not joined correctly or which should be made into separate sentences. A run-on sentence is defined by its grammatical structure, not its length. … A comma splice is

the incorrect use of a

comma to join two independent clauses.

How do you identify a comma splice?

How can you tell that’s a comma splice?

Look at the group of words before the comma

. Did you notice that this group of words can stand by itself as a complete sentence? That means it’s an independent clause.

Which one of the following is a run-on sentence?


A comma splice

, constitutes a run-on sentence. It is when two independent clauses are joined with a comma without an accompanying coordinating conjunction. You just studied 5 terms!

What are the two common causes of a run-on?

Run-on sentences occur

when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined

. (We talked about clauses in Text: Parts of a Sentence.) One type of run-on that you’ve probably heard of is the comma splice, in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, etc.).

What makes a comma splice?

A comma splice occurs

when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them

. The comma just isn’t strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two.

What is run-on sentence error?

A Fused Sentence Run-On Error occurs

when 2 complete sentences or independent clauses are linked together without any punctuation at all

. It’s hard for readers to see where one idea ends and another begins. If you suspect a sentence is a run-on, place an Imaginary Period between the two suspected independent clauses.

How do you break up a long sentence?


Separate the clauses with a period

. This is the strongest method of separating sentences. You can join the clauses with a semicolon if you want to separate the two sentences but still keep their ideas close together.

How do you know when to start a new sentence?


When an independent clause gives an order

or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause: This next chapter has a lot of difficult information in it, you should start studying right away. (We could put a period where that comma is and start a new sentence. A semicolon might also work there.)

Are all long sentences run-on?


Not every long sentence is run-on

, and in fact, run-on sentences can actually be short. No matter the length of the sentence, run-ons are always grammatically incorrect. Specifically, a run-on sentence contains two or more independent clauses that are not separated by a semicolon, period, or conjunction.

Whats the longest sentence in the world?

The Guinness Book of Records lists the longest proper sentence as one from

William Faulkner’s novel ‘Absalom, Absalom!’ (1,287 words)

. Some ancient languages, such as Sanskrit and Greek, did not have any punctuation. So all their sentences were long!

How do you know if its a run-on sentence?

The best way to find a run-on sentence is

to determine whether there is more than one independent clause in the same sentence without punctuation

. If there are two subjects (who or what the sentence is about) or a subject and its pronoun (he, she, it, they etc.)

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.