Punctuation and Run-ons

Introduction

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Is this a sentence?

He works in an office he loves his job.

 Follow below as we discuss run-ons and explain the answer to the question above.

To view the prior lesson, 'Sentence Fragments using but, and although Together', click here.

What Is a Run-on?

 

As we have discussed in this chapter, two things distinguish one sentence from another:  punctuation and capitalization. 

Punctuation:  Every declarative sentence and every command must end with a period, every exclamatory sentence must end with an exclamation mark, every question must end with a question mark. A semi-colon can be used within one sentence to separate two parts that could stand as independent sentences but that are connected through a common idea. 

Capitalization: The first letter of each sentence must begin with a capital letter.

What's wrong with this?

Problem:   He works in an office he loves his job.
Solution:  He works in an office and he loves his job.

The presence of run-ons in writing can impede the readers' understanding of your written text.  It can present problems for people who need to write whether for their academic requirements or for their professional responsibilities, where correctness is a essential.

How Can You Repair This?

Subordinate Clause Fragments That Begin with 'when'

Below, incorrect punctuation has created run-ons:

What's the problem in this student's sentence below?
 
Problem: The men couldn't get up, The train was getting closer and closer and I didn't have any time to think.
Solution A: The men couldn't get up. The train was getting closer and closer and I didn't have any time to think.
Solution B: The men couldn't get up but the train was getting closer and closer and I didn't have any time to think.
Solution C: The men couldn't get up.  At the same time, the train was getting closer and closer and I didn't have any time to think.


What's the problem in this student's sentence below?
   
Problem: We need to realize that life is not about money, it is about happiness.
Solution A: We need to realize that life is not about money. It is about happiness.

As you can see from above, there may be more than one way to repair a run-on sentence so that it has correct punctuation and therefore sentence structure. 

How you repair it will depend on the logical relationship between the two sentences.  It will also depend on what ideas you as a writer choose to emphasize and your stylistic preferences, how you want your writing to flow.

  • Solution B: We need to realize that life is not about money; it is about happiness.

  • Solution C: We need to realize that life is not about money, but is about happiness.

How to Repair Run-ons: Summary

How to Repair Dependent Clause Sentence Fragments

As you can see, there are many ways to repair a run-on.

  • Sometimes the solution is to use a period to end the first sentence, and to begin another sentence with a capital letter.

  • Sometimes the solution is to use a semi-colon to create a break between the two self-standing sentences but which, because they are closely related, will keep them part of the same sentence.

  • Sometimes the solution is to create a main clause with a main subject and verb and to use a coordinator or a subordinator to create a dependent clause with a secondary subject and verb.

More Practice with How to Repair a Run-on

Test your skills with reopairing run-on sentences.

Please continue and get more practice with recognizing and repairing run-ons.

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