10 Common Runon Sentence Errors And How To Fix Them

Writing effective and concise sentences is a crucial skill for any writer, whether you're crafting a blog post, an academic paper, or a novel. However, one common mistake that many writers make is creating run-on sentences, which can lead to confusion and make your writing difficult to follow. In this article, we will explore 10 common run-on sentence errors and provide practical tips on how to fix them, ensuring your writing is clear, coherent, and engaging.

Understanding Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined together without proper punctuation or conjunction. This results in a sentence that is grammatically incorrect and can be challenging to read and understand. Here are some examples of run-on sentences:

Example 1: "The sun was setting over the horizon the sky painted a beautiful orange and pink canvas."

Example 2: "I love to garden planting flowers and vegetables brings me great joy."

As you can see, these sentences lack proper punctuation or conjunction to separate the independent clauses, making them run-on sentences.

Common Run-on Sentence Errors

Now, let’s delve into the 10 most common run-on sentence errors and learn how to fix them effectively.

1. Comma Splice

A comma splice is a common mistake where a comma is used to join two independent clauses without any conjunction. For example:

Incorrect: "The weather was pleasant, we decided to go for a walk."

Fix: "The weather was pleasant, so we decided to go for a walk."

By adding the conjunction "so," we create a clear relationship between the two clauses and avoid the comma splice error.

2. Fused Sentence

A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction. Here’s an example:

Incorrect: "I love to read I can spend hours in a library."

Fix: "I love to read, and I can spend hours in a library."

Using the conjunction "and" and a comma helps to separate the two clauses and create a well-formed sentence.

3. Lack of Coordination

When two independent clauses are joined without a coordinating conjunction (e.g., “and,” “but,” “or”), it results in a lack of coordination. For instance:

Incorrect: "The concert was amazing the crowd went wild."

Fix: "The concert was amazing, and the crowd went wild."

Adding the conjunction "and" provides a clear connection between the two clauses, making the sentence more coherent.

4. Lack of Subordination

Sometimes, a run-on sentence occurs when a subordinate clause is not properly connected to the main clause. Here’s an example:

Incorrect: "When I arrived at the party, everyone was already there I felt disappointed."

Fix: "When I arrived at the party, I felt disappointed because everyone was already there."

By using a subordinating conjunction ("because") and rearranging the sentence, we create a clear relationship between the two clauses.

5. Missing Punctuation

In some cases, a run-on sentence can be fixed simply by adding the appropriate punctuation. For example:

Incorrect: "I love to dance ballet jazz and tap are my favorites."

Fix: "I love to dance: ballet, jazz, and tap are my favorites."

Using a colon and adding commas after each dance style clarifies the relationship between the clauses and avoids the run-on sentence error.

6. Run-on Paragraphs

Run-on sentences can also occur at the paragraph level when ideas are not properly separated. Here’s an example:

Incorrect: "The city was bustling with activity the streets were filled with people shops were open and bustling the atmosphere was electric."

Fix: "The city was bustling with activity. The streets were filled with people, and the shops were open and bustling, creating an electric atmosphere."

Breaking the paragraph into shorter sentences and using proper punctuation improves the flow and readability of the text.

7. Overuse of Conjunctions

While conjunctions are essential for joining clauses, overusing them can lead to run-on sentences. For instance:

Incorrect: "I went to the store and bought some groceries and then I realized I forgot my wallet and had to go back home."

Fix: "I went to the store and bought some groceries. However, I realized I forgot my wallet and had to go back home."

Using a different conjunction ("however") and adding a comma helps to create a better flow and avoid the run-on sentence.

8. Comma Fault

A comma fault occurs when a comma is used incorrectly to join two independent clauses. Here’s an example:

Incorrect: "The book was captivating, it kept me up all night."

Fix: "The book was captivating. It kept me up all night."

In this case, removing the comma and adding a period separates the two clauses, creating a more grammatically correct sentence.

9. Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced modifiers can also contribute to run-on sentences. For example:

Incorrect: "While walking the dog, the sun began to set."

Fix: "While the sun began to set, I was walking the dog."

By rearranging the sentence and placing the modifier in the correct position, we avoid the run-on sentence and create a clearer sentence structure.

10. Sentence Fragment

A sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks a complete thought and can contribute to run-on sentences. Here’s an example:

Incorrect: "Because he was late. He missed the bus."

Fix: "Because he was late, he missed the bus."

Combining the two fragments into a single sentence with proper punctuation resolves the run-on sentence error.

Tips for Avoiding Run-on Sentences

To avoid run-on sentences in your writing, consider the following tips:

• Read your work aloud: Listening to your writing can help you identify run-on sentences and improve your sentence structure.
• Use varied sentence lengths: Mix short and long sentences to create a more engaging and dynamic style.
• Edit and revise: Take the time to edit and revise your work, paying close attention to sentence structure and punctuation.
• Seek feedback: Ask a friend or colleague to review your writing and provide feedback on any run-on sentences or other grammatical errors.
• Study grammar rules: Familiarize yourself with the rules of grammar, especially those related to sentence structure and punctuation.

Conclusion

Writing effective and error-free sentences is an essential skill for any writer. By understanding and avoiding common run-on sentence errors, you can improve the clarity and readability of your writing. Remember to use proper punctuation, conjunctions, and sentence structure to create well-formed sentences that engage and captivate your readers.