Run-On Sentences

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.

There are two complete sentences in the above example:

Sentence 1: I love to write papers.

Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.

One common type of run-on sentence is a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent
clauses are joined with just a comma.

Example of a comma splice: Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to indicate their
preference.

Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time.

Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their preference.

Some comma splices occur when a writer attempts to use a transitional expression in the middle of a
sentence.

Example of a comma splice: The results of the study were inconclusive, therefore more research needs
to be done on the topic.
Sentence 1: The results of the study were inconclusive

Transitional expression (conjunctive adverb): therefore

Sentence 2: More research needs to be done on the topic

To fix this type of comma splice, use a semicolon before the transitional expression and add a comma
after it. See more examples of this on the semicolon page.

Revision: The results of the study were inconclusive; therefore, more research needs to be done on the
topic.

You can correct a run-on sentence by connecting or separating its parts correctly. There are several easy
ways to connect independent clauses.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to connect
independent clauses.

Use a period. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller sentences using a
period. This revision works especially well with longer sentences. Check, however, to make sure that this
solution does not result in short, choppy sentences.

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

Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a grammatically correct
sentence. Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes a close relationship between the two
sentences.

Revision example: I love to write papers; I would write one every day if I had the time.

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction (such as
and, but, or or), corrects a run-on sentence. This method emphasizes the relationship between the two
clauses.

Revision example: I love to write papers, and I would write one every day if I had the time.
Use a subordinating conjunction. Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. A
subordinating conjunction (such as because, unless, and although) connects two clauses to create a
complex sentence. This option works to cement the relationship between the two parts of the sentence
and may improve the flow of the clauses.

Example: Because I love to write papers, I would write one every day if I had the time.

However you decide to revise for run-on sentences, remember that maintaining sentence variety helps
to keep the writing clear and interesting for your readers.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

The subject and verb of a sentence must agree with one another in number whether they are singular or
plural. If the subject of the sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; and if the subject is plural,
the verb must also be plural.

Example 1:

Incorrect: An important part of my life have been the people who stood by me.

Correct: An important part of my life has been the people who stood by me.

Example 2:

Incorrect: The two best things about the party was the food and the music.

Correct: The two best things about the party were the food and the music.

2. Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that don’t have one independent clause. A fragment may
lack a subject, a complete verb, or both. Sometimes fragments depend on the proceeding sentence to
give it meaning.
Related: 12 Effective Tips On How To Write Faster

Example 1:

Incorrect: He gave his mother an extravagant gift after the argument. In spite of everything.

Correct: In spite of everything, he gave his mother an extravagant gift after the argument.

Example 2:

Incorrect: The boys snuck home late that night. Then waited for the consequences.

Correct: The boys snuck home late that night, then waited for the consequences.

3. Missing Comma After Introductory Element

A comma should be used after an introductory word, phrase, or clause. This gives the reader a slight
pause after an introductory element and often can help avoid confusion.

Example 1:

Incorrect: In case you haven’t noticed my real name doesn’t appear in the article.

Correct: In case you haven’t noticed, my real name doesn’t appear in the article.

Example 2:
Incorrect: Before she had time to think about it Sharon jumped into the icy pool.

Correct: Before she had time to think about it, Sharon jumped into the icy pool.

4. Misusing The Apostrophe With “Its”

You use an apostrophe with it’s only when the word means it is or it has. Without the apostrophe, its
means belonging to it.

Example 1:

Incorrect: I don’t believe its finally Friday.

Correct: I don’t believe it’s (it is) finally Friday.

Example 2:

Incorrect: The cat was licking it’s tail.

Correct: The cat was licking its tail.

graphic-wpxhosting

5. No Comma In A Compound Sentence

A comma separates two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence separated by a

conjunction. The comma goes after the first clause and before the coordinating conjunction that
separates the clauses.
Related: Test Your Proofreading Skills

Example 1:

Incorrect: The man jumped into a black sedan and he drove away before being noticed.

Correct: The man jumped into a black sedan, and he drove away before being noticed.

Example 2:

Incorrect: She was beautiful and she was happy and she was full of life.

Correct: She was beautiful, and she was happy, and she was full of life.

6. Misplaced Or Dangling Modifier

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies
or describes. Sentences with this error can sound awkward, ridiculous, or confusing. A dangling modifier
is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.

Example 1:

Incorrect: While walking on the sidewalk, Mary found a sparkly girl’s bracelet.

Correct: While walking on the sidewalk, Mary found a girl’s sparkly bracelet.

Example 2:
Incorrect: After finally setting off on the trail, the morning felt more exciting.

Correct: After finally setting off on the trail, he felt the morning was more exciting.

7. Vague Pronoun Reference

A pronoun can replace a noun, and its antecedent should be the person, place, or thing to which the
pronoun refers. A vague pronoun reference (including words such as it, that, this, and which) can leave
the reader confused about what or to whom the pronoun refers.

Example 1:

Incorrect: When Jonathan finally found his dog, he was so happy. (The dog or Jonathan?)

Correct: Jonathan was so happy when he finally found his dog.

Example 2:

Incorrect: Don felt a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of Marie’s decision. This is what ended
everything. (What ended everything? Don’s anger and bitterness or Marie’s decision?)

Correct: Don felt a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of Marie’s decision. Her choice ended
everything.

8. Wrong Word Usage

There are a variety of words and phrases that are commonly confused and misused in sentences. Using
them incorrectly can change the meaning of the sentence or simply reflect carelessness on the writer’s
part. There are hundreds of these commonly confused words, so when in doubt, always check the
definition and correct spelling of the word.

Related: The Oxford Comma

Example 1:

Incorrect: She excepted his offer to drive her home.

Correct: She accepted his offer to drive her home.

Example 2:

Incorrect: It was a breathe of fresh air to meet someone so genuine.

Correct: It was a breath of fresh air to meet someone so genuine.

9. Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence occurs when you connect two main clauses with no punctuation.

Example 1:

Incorrect: She tried to sneak out of the house her mother saw her leaving.
Correct: She tried to sneak out of the house, but her mother saw her leaving.

Example 2:

Incorrect: He ran through the field as fast as he could all the while rain was soaking him to the bone.

Correct: He ran through the field as fast as he could. All the while rain was soaking him to the bone.

10. Superfluous Commas

It’s common writing mistake to throw commas around liberally when they aren’t necessary. There are
dozens of examples of this error, but here are a few common mistakes.

Related: Should You Italicize Book Titles

Example 1:

Incorrect: The woman never went into the city, because she didn’t feel comfortable driving in traffic.

Correct: The woman never went into the city because she didn’t feel comfortable driving in traffic.

Example 2:

Incorrect: He wants to get a degree in engineering, or medicine.

Correct: He wants to get a degree in engineering or medicine.

Example 3:

Incorrect: Sam knew immediately, what was going to happen next.

Correct: Same knew immediately what was going to happen next.

Example 4:

Incorrect: Old cars, that have been left in a junkyard, are an eyesore.

Correct: Old cars that have been left in a junkyard are an eyesore.

Example 5:

Incorrect: The bouquet of flowers on the table, belongs to Mary.

Correct: The bouquet of flowers on the table belongs to Mary.

11. Lack Of Parallel Structure

Faulty parallelism occurs when two or more parts of a sentence are similar in meaning but not parallel
(or grammatically similar) in form. It often occurs with paired constructions and items in a series.

Example 1:

Incorrect: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemist, and
research scientist.
Correct: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemistry, and
research science.

Example 2:

Incorrect: The key directives of his boss were clear:

Meet monthly sales quotas.

Aggressive marketing techniques.

Reporting in every day.

Correct: The key directives of his boss were clear:

Meet monthly sales goals.

Practice aggressive marketing techniques.

Report in every day.

12. Sentence Sprawl

A sentence can become a burden to read when there are too many equally weighted phrases.

Example 1:

Incorrect: Jason was planning to attend his friend’s wedding on June 30, but at the last minute he found
out he had jury duty, so he couldn’t attend the wedding, and he felt really guilty about it.

Correct: Unexpectedly Jason was called for jury duty and couldn’t attend his friend’s June 30 wedding.
He felt guilty about missing it.
13. Comma Splice

A comma splice occurs when two separate sentences are joined with a comma rather than a period or
semicolon. Writers often create comma splices when using transitional words, such as however,
therefore, moreover, nevertheless, or furthermore.