π What is a Run-On Sentence?
A run-on sentence is when two or more sentences are joined together without correct punctuation or connecting words. It's like trying to squeeze too many ideas into one sentence without giving the reader a chance to pause!
ποΈ A Little Sentence History
Long ago, people didn't worry as much about sentence length. But as writing became clearer, people realized that shorter, well-punctuated sentences are easier to read and understand. That's why we learn to avoid run-on sentences!
π How to Spot a Run-On
- π Too many ideas: A run-on sentence tries to cram too many thoughts into one.
- π Missing punctuation: It's missing periods, commas, or other stops.
- π Missing connectors: It doesn't use words like "and," "but," or "because" to join ideas properly.
π‘ How to Fix a Run-On Sentence
- βοΈ Make two sentences: Split the long sentence into two shorter ones with a period.
- β Add a comma and a connector: Use words like "and," "but," or "so" after a comma.
- βοΈ Use a semicolon: A semicolon (;) can join two closely related ideas.
π Real-World Examples
Run-On: I went to the store I bought milk and bread it was fun.
Correct: I went to the store. I bought milk and bread. It was fun.
Run-On: The dog barked the cat ran away.
Correct: The dog barked, and the cat ran away.
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Conclusion
Learning to spot and fix run-on sentences will make your writing clearer and easier to understand. Keep practicing, and you'll become a sentence superstar! β¨