Fixing Run-on Sentences – Learning Commons

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Topic 2: Correcting Run-ons

It is pretty clear (we hope) that there is something wrong when you spot a run-on sentence. However, it is important to know how to fix the run-ons when you find them.

Three Options

Hover over the cards below to see options for revising sentence fragments.

Use a period.

One way to fix a run-on sentence is to use a period to separate the independent clauses into separate sentences.

Example:

Run-on sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817.
Revised sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously. Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817.

Use a semicolon.

Using a semicolon to separate the independent clauses changes a run-on sentence into a grammatically correct sentence.

Example:

Run-on sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously Jane Austen wrote six novels in her lifetime.
Revised sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously; she wrote six novels in her lifetime.

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.

Example:

Run-on sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously Jane Austen wrote six novels in her lifetime.
Revised sentence: Jane Austen published novels anonymously, and she wrote six novels in her lifetime.

Your Turn: Test Your Understanding!

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