Run-on sentence

Run-on sentence

A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (that is, complete sentences) are joined with no punctuation or conjunction. It is generally considered to be a grammatical error. Some grammarians also include a comma splice, in which two independent clauses are joined with a comma, as a type of run-on sentence, [ cite web | title=Run-on Sentences,Comma Splices | url=http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm | accessdate=2008-01-24] while others exclude comma splices from the definition of a run-on sentence. [cite web | title=Run-ons — Comma Splices — Fused Sentences | url=http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/02/ | date=2006-08-31 | accessdate=2008-01-24] [ citation | last1=Hairston | first1=Maxine | last2=Ruszkiewicz | first2=John J. | last3=Friend | first3=Christy | title=The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers | edition=5th | publisher=Longman | year=1998 | location=New York | page=509 ]

A run-on sentence does not mean a sentence is too long; longer sentences are likely to be run-ons only when they contain more than one complete idea. A run-on sentence can be as short as four words—for instance: "I drive she walks." Here you have two complete ideas (independent clauses): two subjects paired with two (intransitive) verbs. So long as clauses are punctuated appropriately, a writer can assemble multiple independent clauses in a single sentence; in fact, a properly constructed sentence can be extended indefinitely.

Examples

*"It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark."(a run-on sentence, with no punctuation or conjunction between "five" and "we".)
*"It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark."(A comma splice, which is considered a run-on sentence by some grammarians.

Ways to avoid run-on sentences

*Write the two clauses as two separate sentences:
**"It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales. He even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a coordinating conjunction (such as "and" or "but") after the comma:
**"It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales, and he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a semicolon between the clauses:
**"It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a semicolon and a transitional word between the clauses:
**"It is nearly half past five; therefore, we cannot reach town before dark."
**"Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; in fact, he even told them to his teachers.
*Insert a colon (if the relationship of the second clause clarifies, defines, exemplifies the first clause):
**"No man is an island: we all need to be a part of some community.
**"The magician's talents were never disputed: every performance in his career ended with a standing ovation.(Some examples adapted from the online 1918 edition of "The Elements of Style.)"

External links

* [http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm Run-on Sentences, Comma Splices]
* [http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/style.html "The Elements of Style"] : full text of Strunk's 1918 edition

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • run-on sentence — run on .sentence n especially AmE a sentence that has two main ↑clauses without connecting words or correct ↑punctuation …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • run-on sentence — n. a syntactic structure consisting of two or more complete sentences faultily run together as one …   English World dictionary

  • run-on sentence — noun an ungrammatical sentence in which two or more independent clauses are conjoined without a conjunction • Hypernyms: ↑sentence * * * noun 1. : a sentence formed with a comma fault 2. : a sentence that rambles on by the slipshod adding on of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • run-on sentence — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms run on sentence : singular run on sentence plural run on sentences linguistics a sentence in which two main clauses are connected without any conjunctions, or without the correct punctuation …   English dictionary

  • run-on sentence — run′ on sen′tence n. oce gram. a written sequence of two or more main clauses that are not separated by a period or semicolon or joined by a conjunction • Etymology: 1910–15 …   From formal English to slang

  • run-on sentence — noun an ungrammatical sentence in which two independent clauses that should be joined by either a semicolon or a conjunction or should be separate sentences are written as a single sentence, the clauses often being separated by a comma. Syn:… …   Wiktionary

  • run-on sentence — noun Date: 1914 a sentence containing two or more clauses not connected by the correct conjunction or punctuation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • run-on sentence — a written sequence of two or more main clauses that are not separated by a period or semicolon or joined by a conjunction. Also called fused sentence. Cf. comma fault. [1910 15] * * * …   Universalium

  • run-on sentence — noun (C) especially AmE a sentence that has two main clauses without connecting words or correct punctuation …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • Run On — can refer to: * A Run on sentence, a sentence including at least two other complete sentences. * On the run, a phrase included in music works, literature, and with other uses. * A run on the bank, a type of financial crisis. * Nuclear run on, a… …   Wikipedia

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