Run-Together Sentences

1. Run-Together Sentences How to Identify and Fix

2. Run-Together Sentences • Run-together sentences occur when two sentences are joined with no punctuation between them or with only a comma connecting them (comma splices). • Example of run-together sentences: • It was raining I got wet. • It was raining, I got wet. • Even though these thoughts go together logically, they are two separate sentences grammatically. A sentence can have two subjects and verbs only if they are joined in some way. This will explain some of the ways to join sentences.

3. Fixing a run-on sentence: • Using: • Coordinator (FANBOYS) • Subordinator • Alternative Semicolon • Period

4. Using a Comma and a Coordinator • If you want two to go together logically, often you should use a joining word to indicate the logical connection. This helps your reader to understand how your ideas relate to each other. One way of showing how the sentences are related is to join them with Coordinators. Which are best remembered with acronym of FANBOYS. • For (Cause) • And (Addition) • Nor (Addition of negatives) • But (Opposition) • Or (Alternatives) • Yet (Opposition same as but) • So (Result)

5. Example: • It was raining, I got wet. • To repair, add comma/conjunction: It was raining,so I got wet. • Notice that a comma comes before the coordinator.

6. Example: I hate to see animals in cages, I don’t like to go to the zoo. Repair with comma/conjunction: I hate to see animals in cages, so I don’t like to go to the zoo.

7. Nick and Fran enjoyed the movie, they wished the seats had been more comfortable. Nick and Fran enjoyed the movie, but they wished the seats had been more comfortable.

8. Proof Reading Tips • Read the essay out loud after you print it out. Often you can catch run-on sentences by hearing where you pause. • If you still have run on sentences try circling all the ones with commas. Then check if the sentences have a subject and verb in both clauses before or after the comma. If there is then you will need to fix it with semicolons, a comma and conjunction, or use a period to make two sentences.

9. Subordinator • You can also show the relationship between two sentences by using a subordinator to change one of the sentence into a dependant clause. Corrected run-on sentence: • Since it was raining, I got wet. • I got wet becauseit was raining. • When a subordinator comes in the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after the clause it is attached to. If the subordinator comes in the middle of the sentence, do not use a comma.

10. There to many subordinators to list, here are some common ones: Times words: after, before, since, when, while, as, when ever, until, by the time, as soon , as long as, Cause-effect words: because, since, as Opposition words: while, whereas, although, though, even though, Condition words: If, unless, even if, whether.

11. Semicolon or Period • You can use a semicolon to join run-on sentences or a period to separate them into two sentences. • Example It was raining. I got wet. It was raining; I got wet. • If a coordinator and a subordinator don’t work, use semicolon or period.

12. Transitions words like however, then, therefore, moreover, for example, DO NOT join sentences. You will need to use a semicolon or a period if you create two sentences.

13. BEST CHOICE • I ran all the way to the corner, but I still missed the bus. • Although I ran all the way to the corner, I still missed my bus. Using a joining word is the best choice because it lets your reader know the logical connection between your two sentences. In this case the logical connection is opposition.

14. Alternative choice: I ran all the way to the corner; I still missed my bus. • Only using a semicolon when you cannot find a joining word that works. • Least preferable choice: I ran all the way to the corner. I still missed my bus.