Common Mistakes When Fixing Run-on Sentences and How to Avoid Them

📚 What is a Run-on Sentence?

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (clauses that can stand alone as complete sentences) are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. They make your writing confusing and difficult to read.

📜 A Brief History

The concept of sentence structure has evolved over centuries. Early writing often lacked punctuation, leading to long, rambling sentences. As grammar rules became more standardized, the importance of clear, concise sentences, free of run-ons, became apparent.

🔑 Key Principles for Correcting Run-on Sentences

• 🔍 Use a Period: Divide the run-on sentence into two separate sentences.
• 💡 Use a Comma and a Coordinating Conjunction: Join the clauses with a comma followed by for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so (FANBOYS).
• 📌 Use a Semicolon: Connect closely related independent clauses.
• ✏️ Use a Subordinating Conjunction: Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause.
• ➕ Use an Em Dash: Can be used in place of a comma or semicolon to separate clauses.

🚫 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• 🚧 Mistake: Using only a comma (comma splice).
  Solution: Add a coordinating conjunction after the comma (e.g., "I went to the store, and I bought milk.") or use a semicolon.
• 🔪 Mistake: Creating sentence fragments.
  Solution: Ensure each clause has a subject and a verb; avoid turning clauses into dependent clauses without connecting them to an independent clause.
• 😵‍💫 Mistake: Misusing conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore).
  Solution: Conjunctive adverbs require a semicolon before them and a comma after them (e.g., "I was tired; therefore, I went to bed.").
• ✍️ Mistake: Not identifying independent clauses correctly.
  Solution: Practice identifying subjects and verbs in sentences to accurately determine independent clauses.
• 😵 Mistake: Overusing semicolons.
  Solution: Semicolons should only join closely related independent clauses. If the clauses are not closely related, use separate sentences.

✍️ Real-World Examples

Run-on: I went to the park it was fun.

• ✅ Correct (Period): I went to the park. It was fun.
• ✅ Correct (Comma and Conjunction): I went to the park, and it was fun.
• ✅ Correct (Semicolon): I went to the park; it was fun.

Run-on: The dog barked loudly the mailman ran away.

• ✅ Correct (Subordinating Conjunction): Because the dog barked loudly, the mailman ran away.

📝 Conclusion

Mastering the art of correcting run-on sentences involves understanding sentence structure, recognizing independent clauses, and applying appropriate punctuation and conjunctions. By avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.