What is a Run-on Sentence?

A run-on sentence is a sentence that has been so poorly constructed that it contains two or more clauses, which could either be complete sentences or phrases, incorrectly joined together without the appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. This can make sentences difficult to read and understand, as the information contained in our brain need to be read or interpreted in one big go.

The Meaning of Run-on Sentences

Run-on sentences are usually a result of carelessness. A reader may have to read the run-on sentence over and over again to understand its intended meaning. There are different types of run-on sentences, including comma splices and fused sentences. Comma splices combine two main clauses with only a comma, instead of a full stop or a coordinating conjunction. Fused sentences are when two independent clauses are connected without any punctuation at all.

How to Fix a Run-on Sentence

In order to fix a run-on sentence, the two clauses need to be genuinely connected. The most common way to fix a run-on sentence is by inserting a coordinating conjunction such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Other options include breaking the sentence into two separate sentences, or rewriting the sentence to make it more concise and easy to understand.

When writing the English language, it is important to take your time and use the correct punctuation. This helps to make sure that your intended meaning is conveyed to your readers correctly. If you feel like you have written a run-on sentence, make sure to check it and correct it, so that it remains clear and easy to interpret.