What Are Run-on Sentences?
Discover what run-on sentences are, how to avoid them, and how to improve your writing!
Run-on sentences incorrectly attempt to join two (or more) related complete sentences.
Sound familiar? Comma splices, another grammatical plague, are also run-on sentences. For example:
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Comma Splice
It was a spectacularly beautiful day, there was not a cloud in the sky.
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Run-on
It was a spectacularly beautiful day there was not a cloud in the sky.
The following are correct alternatives to this poorly constructed sentence:
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The Declarative Period
It was a spectacularly beautiful day. There was not a cloud in the sky.
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The Comma and Coordinating Conjunction
It was a spectacularly beautiful day, and there was not a cloud in the sky.
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The Formal (but Stylistic) Semicolon
It was a spectacularly beautiful day; there was not a cloud in the sky.
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The Conversational Dash
It was a spectacularly beautiful day – there was not a cloud in the sky.
Typical Run-on Sentences
Run-on sentences are often a result of the following scenarios:
- When the second of the joined complete sentences contains a pronoun that connects it to the first sentence.
- Run-On: Pam and George had a picnic in the park they had pickles and peanut butter sandwiches.
- Period: Pam and George had a picnic in the park. They had pickles and peanut butter sandwiches.
- Run-On: I’ll get the basket, you should put the blanket on the ground.
- Dash: I’ll get the basket – you should put the blanket on the ground.
- Run-On: George placed the red and white checkered blanket over a mound of fire ants, nonetheless, he was determined to have a great time.
- Semicolon: George placed the red and white checkered blanket over a mound of fire ants; nonetheless, he was determined to have a great time.
Run-On Sentence Scapegoats
Often confused with run-on sentences, loose sentences use semicolons, dashes, colons, and coordinating conjunctions to join complete sentences excessively. Although technically correct, loose sentences can risk distracting the reader from the author’s message and reflect poorly on the author. For example:
It was a spectacularly beautiful day – there was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining. George and Pam went to the park to have a picnic; they had pickles and peanut butter sandwiches with sparkling water on a red and white checkered blanket. George tossed a Frisbee to the dog, and he waved to the other park goers who passed their delightful little picnic.
Before you decide to remove all forms of joining punctuation from your repertoire and settle with the period, know the pendulum swings both ways! Writing in short, compact sentences can be just as jarring. For example:
It was a spectacularly beautiful day. There was not a cloud in the sky. The sun was shining….
What’s the solution? Find balance! Trim and tweak loose passages to engage your reader and maintain your message. Here’s how:
- Read out loud. If you’re out of breath by the end punctuation mark, use this as a cue to adjust your sentence.
- Don’t delay! When it’s time to start another sentence, start it.
- Consider new formats – lists or steps – to help deliver information succinctly and coherently.
- Look for joined complete sentences. Would each sentence be clearer if it stood on its own?
- Is the sentence necessary? Always consider whether it’s important to the reader.
- Start from scratch. Take the roots of your idea and completely rework the sentence.
Whether you choose to use to join (or not join) is entirely up to the style and tone you want to achieve. Always remember your sentences should (easily) breathe and carry your message to the reader, but they should never run on or utilize a comma splice.
As always, share any questions or suggestions – we’d love to hear from you! And if you’d like more great grammar and writing tips, browse our Grammar Tips category.