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What are run-ons ? A run-on is two complete thoughts that are run together with no adequate sign given to mark the break between them. Some run-ons have no punctuation at all to mark the break between the thoughts. Such run-ons are known as fused sentences : they are fused or joined together, as if they were only one thought. Examples: My grades are very good this semester my social life rates only a C. Our brother was a madman in his youth he would do anything on a dare.

In other run-ons, known as comma splices, a comma is used to connect, or splice together the two complete thoughts. Some stronger connection than a comma alone is needed. Examples : My grades are very good this semester, my social life rates only a C. Our brother was a madman in his youth, he would do anything on a dare.

Correcting Run-ons Here are four common methods of correcting a run-on : 1. Use a period and a capital letter to break the two complete thoughts into separate sentences. - My grades are very good this semester. My social life rates only at a C. - Our brother was a madman in his youth. He would do anything on a dare. 2. Use a comma plus a coordinating conjunction ( and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet ) to connect the two complete thoughts. - My grades are very good this semester, but my social life rates only a C. - Our brother was a madman in his youth, for he would do anything on a dare.

Correcting Run-ons (Cont.) 3. Use a semicolon and a transition to connect the two complete thoughts. - My grades are very good this semester; however, my social life rates only a C. - Our brother was a madman in his youth; therefore, he would do anything on a dare. 4. Use subordinating conjunctions. - Although my grades are very good this semester, my social life rates only a C. - Because my brother was a madman in his youth, he would do anything on a dare.

PRACTICE 1 : Correct the run-ons by using the following three methods :

period and capital letter, comma and joining word or semicolon. 1. Three people did the job, I could have done it alone. Three people did the job, but I could have done it alone. 2. My brother ate an entire pizza for supper, he had a big chunk of cake for dessert. My brother ate an entire pizza for supper; moreover, he had a big chunk of cake for dessert. 3. Bob pressed a cold washcloth against his eyes, it helped release his headache. Bob pressed a cold washcloth against his eyes. It helped release his headache.

PRACTICE 2 : Correct each run-on by using subordinating conjunctions.

1. My eyes have been watering all day, I can tell the pollen count is high. Sine my eyes have been watering all day, I can tell the pollen count is high.

2. There are a number of suits and jackets on sale, they all have very noticeable flaws. Although there are a number of suits and jackets on sale, they all have very noticeable flaws.
3. I finished my household chores, I decided to do some shopping. When/After I finished my household chores, I decided to do some shopping.