Run-on Sentences

Front

What is a run-on sentence?

Back

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.

Front

Identify the error in this sentence: 'They were almost there they were a few miles from the gold mine.'

Back

This sentence is a run-on because it contains two independent clauses joined without a conjunction or punctuation.

Front

Is the following sentence a run-on? 'They heard about some gold in this town.'

Back

No, this sentence is correct as it contains a single independent clause.

Front

What is the difference between a run-on sentence and a complex sentence?

Back

A run-on sentence improperly connects independent clauses, while a complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

Identify the error in this sentence: 'Two cowboys came to town they were looking for gold.'

Back

This sentence is a run-on because it lacks proper punctuation or a conjunction between the two independent clauses.

Front

What punctuation can be used to correct a run-on sentence?

Back

A semicolon, a period, or a coordinating conjunction can be used to correct a run-on sentence.

Front

Is the following sentence a run-on? 'After I graduate, I will move to Japan.'

Back

No, this is a complex sentence because it contains a dependent clause ('After I graduate') and an independent clause.

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses; examples include 'and', 'but', 'or', 'nor', 'for', 'so', and 'yet'.

Front

How can you identify a run-on sentence?

Back

Look for two or more independent clauses that are not properly connected by punctuation or conjunctions.

Front

What is the effect of using run-on sentences in writing?

Back

Run-on sentences can make writing confusing and difficult to read, as they can obscure the relationships between ideas.