Run-On Sentences
Run-on sentences, often known as “sentence sprawl,” occur when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined together. These sentences can be confusing and make it challenging for readers to follow the intended meaning. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of run-on sentences, provide examples of incorrect usage, and discuss ways to correct and avoid this common grammatical error.
✗I love to read books I can spend hours immersed in a good story.
➔This sentence is incorrect because it joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction. To correct it, we can use a period to create two separate sentences or a comma with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).
✓I love to read books. I can spend hours immersed in a good story.
✓I love to read books, and I can spend hours immersed in a good story.
In the corrected versions, each independent clause is properly punctuated or joined with a coordinating conjunction.
Rules to Consider:
- ➔Use a period to create two separate sentences.
- ➔Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).
- ➔Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses.
- ➔Use a subordinate conjunction to create a complex sentence.
Further Examples:
Incorrect: ✗She enjoys hiking it helps her stay active and healthy.
➔Correct: ✓She enjoys hiking. It helps her stay active and healthy.
Incorrect: ✗Learning a new language can be challenging it is also very rewarding.
➔Correct: ✓Learning a new language can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding.
Incorrect: ✗The weather was beautiful we decided to have a picnic in the park.
➔Correct: ✓The weather was beautiful, so we decided to have a picnic in the park.
Incorrect: ✗I studied hard for the exam however, I didn’t perform well.
➔Correct: ✓I studied hard for the exam; however, I didn’t perform well.