The “run-on” sentence

1. In the mind of a new writer, two sentences crash together… Billy was sleepy. The “run-on” sentence Boom! He went to bed.

2. Billy was sleepy he went to bed Now instead of two normal sentences, there is only one incorrect sentence. Having lost a period and a capital letter, the two sentences have become a dreaded, dangerous “Run-On”!!!

3. Billy was sleepy. He went to bed. This must not be! Run-On sentences are not allowed! But how do we correct it? There are 4 ways: The first one is to change it back to two simple sentences like it was before…

4. Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed. The second way involves the use of a comma and the joining word “so.”

5. Billy was sleepy; he went to bed. The third way is to use a semi-colon instead of a comma, which does awaywith having to use the joining word(coordinating conjunction) at all. Slick, huh? ; = The Super Comma

6. Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed. • The fourth way is by using a dependent word (subordinating conjunction) and a comma…

7. Well, students, there you have it… • Remember, Run-On sentences are major no-nos and must be avoided, so you can… • Keep two simple sentences OR • Use a comma and a joining word OR • Use a semi-colon without a conjunction OR • Use a dependent word and a comma. • Billy was sleepy, he went to bed. • Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed. • Billy was sleepy, he went to bed. • Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.