Run-on sentence facts for kids

A run-on sentence is like trying to tell two complete stories at once without taking a breath or using the right words to connect them. It happens when two or more full sentences are squished together without the correct punctuation or connecting words. This can make your writing confusing and hard to read.

For example, look at this sentence:

It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.

This sentence has two complete thoughts: "It is nearly half past five" and "we cannot reach town before dark." They are joined without anything in between, making it a run-on.

What is a Run-On Sentence?

A run-on sentence happens when you join two or more independent clauses without the right punctuation or a connecting word. An independent clause is just a fancy way of saying a complete sentence. It has a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (what the subject is doing), and it can stand alone as a full thought.

When you put two or more of these complete thoughts together without a proper break, it becomes a run-on. It's like driving two cars very close together without enough space or a clear signal between them.

Why are Run-On Sentences a Problem?

Run-on sentences can make your writing difficult to understand. When readers don't see a clear stop or connection between ideas, they might get lost or have to re-read your sentence to figure out what you mean. Good writing is clear and easy to follow, and fixing run-on sentences helps a lot with that!

How to Fix Run-On Sentences

Luckily, there are several easy ways to fix run-on sentences. Here are four common methods:

Method 1: Separate Sentences

The simplest way to fix a run-on sentence is to turn it into two or more separate sentences. Just add a period (full stop) and start a new sentence with a capital letter.

• Original run-on: It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
• Fixed: It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.

This makes each idea stand on its own, making it much clearer.

Method 2: Use a Semicolon

You can use a semicolon (`;`) to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. A semicolon is stronger than a comma but not as strong as a period. It shows that the ideas are connected but still separate.

• Original run-on: It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
• Fixed: It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.

This works well when the second part of the sentence explains or adds to the first part.

Method 3: Use a Comma and Conjunction

You can also fix a run-on by adding a comma (`,`) followed by a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are words like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (you can remember them with the acronym FANBOYS).

• Original run-on: It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
• Fixed: It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.

Here, "so" shows the result or consequence of the first part of the sentence.

Method 4: Turn a Clause into a Dependent Clause

Another way to fix a run-on is to make one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. You do this by adding a subordinating conjunction (like since, because, although, when, while, if) at the beginning of one of the clauses.

• Original run-on: It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
• Fixed: Since it is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.

In this example, "Since it is nearly half past five" is now a dependent clause that tells us why they cannot reach town before dark.

Short Run-On Sentences

Even very short sentences can be run-ons if they contain two complete thoughts without proper separation. For example:

I drive she walks.

This sentence is a run-on because "I drive" is a complete thought, and "she walks" is also a complete thought. You can fix it using any of the methods above.

• Fixed with comma and conjunction: I drive, but she walks.

This clearly shows the contrast between the two actions.

Understanding and fixing run-on sentences will make your writing much clearer and more professional!