Identifying run-on sentences

​Identifying run-on sentences

​What are run-on sentences and comma splices?

This is when two or more sentences run on from one another without the appropriate punctuation.​

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Often a comma is used where there should be a full stop, which is also known as a comma splice. Sometimes there's just no punctuation at all!​

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E.g. Taylor threw the ball to his brother, they played all afternoon.

(comma splice - comma should be a full stop)​

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Or Taylor threw the ball to his brother they played all afternoon.

(run-on sentence - no punctuation used, needs a full stop_ ​

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Should be: Taylor threw the ball to his brother. They played all afternoon.

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If both parts of the sentence make sense on their own (independent clause), then you need a full stop.​

​The following quiz contains examples of sentences that may or may not be run-on sentences or comma splices. You need to read each sentence carefully and then decide if it is a run-on sentence/comma splice or not.

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Yes = is a run-on sentence/comma splice

No =​ is not a run-on sentence/comma splice

Multiple Choice

Is this a run-on sentence?

I love to write essays I would write them every day if I could.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a run-on sentence?

I would write an essay every day if I had time.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a run-on sentence?

A family of foxes lived under our shed young foxes played all over the garden.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a run-on sentence?

The accident closed both lanes of traffic we waited hours for the wreckage to be cleared.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a run-on sentence?

Cobwebs covered the furniture because the room hadn't been used in years.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

The accident closed both lanes of traffic, we waited hours for the wreckage to be cleared.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

The students handed in their assessments, they were confident they had passed.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

The students, feeling confident they had passed, handed in their assessments.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

We looked outside, there was a loud noise coming from the carpark.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

There were no seats left, we had to stand at the back.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

The new printer was installed, no one knew how to use it.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

Cobwebs covered the furniture, the room hadn't been used in years.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

The new printer was installed, but no one knew how to use it.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

Although we took the elevator, the others got there before us.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a comma splice?

We took the elevator, the others got there before us.

• Yes

• No