Run-on sentence

A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (that is, complete sentences) are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. It is generally considered to be a grammatical error. Some grammarians also include a comma splice, in which two independent clauses are joined with a comma, as a type of run-on sentence, [ cite web | title=Run-on Sentences,Comma Splices | url=http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm | accessdate=2008-01-24] while others exclude comma splices from the definition of a run-on sentence. [cite web | title=Run-ons — Comma Splices — Fused Sentences | url=http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/02/ | date=2006-08-31 | accessdate=2008-01-24] [ citation | last1=Hairston | first1=Maxine | last2=Ruszkiewicz | first2=John J. | last3=Friend | first3=Christy | title=The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers | edition=5th | publisher=Longman | year=1998 | location=New York | page=509 ]

A run-on sentence does not mean a sentence is too long; longer sentences are likely to be run-ons only when they contain more than one complete idea. A run-on sentence can be as short as four words—for instance: "I drive she walks." Here you have two complete ideas (independent clauses): two subjects paired with two (intransitive) verbs. So long as clauses are punctuated appropriately, a writer can assemble multiple independent clauses in a single sentence; in fact, a properly constructed sentence can be extended indefinitely.

Examples

*"It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark."(a run-on sentence, with no punctuation or conjunction between "five" and "we".)
*"It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark."(A comma splice, which is considered a run-on sentence by some grammarians.

Ways to avoid run-on sentences

*Write the two clauses as two separate sentences:
**"It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales. He even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a coordinating conjunction (such as "and" or "but") after the comma:
**"It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales, and he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a semicolon between the clauses:
**"It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a semicolon and a transitional word between the clauses:
**"It is nearly half past five; therefore, we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; in fact, he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a colon (if the relationship of the second clause clarifies, defines, exemplifies the first clause):
**"No man is an island: we all need to be a part of some community.
**"The magician's talents were never disputed: every performance in his career ended with a standing ovation.(Some examples adapted from the online 1918 edition of "The Elements of Style.)"

External links

* [http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices]
* [http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/style.html "The Elements of Style"] : full text of Strunk's 1918 edition

References