Run-ons and Fragments

Run-on Sentence

Run-on sentence formation happens when two independent clauses or fused sentences are
connected improperly without using punctuations and correct conjunctions.

Examples:

The weather was nice we went to the beach.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

This is the winning lottery ticket I bought it at the mall.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

The students can enroll online they need to have computers.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

In case the two sentences are only connected by a comma, it is then called a comma splice.
Using the same sentences, notice the comma between them.

Examples:

The weather was nice, we went to the beach.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

This is my winning lottery ticket, I bought it at the mall.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

Google Classroom is an online platform, it has useful features.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

Note: Both run-on and comma splice sentence formations are incorrect and can
be corrected by following any of the ways on the next page.
Ways to fix run-on and comma splices:

1. Use a period to separate the sentences into two smaller sentences.

 Run-on sentence: Lina lost her bag she asked for help from the guard.

Revised: Lina lost her bag. She asked for help from the guard.

2. Insert a semi-colon at the middle of sentences or independent clauses that are closely related.

Run-on sentence: Angelo informed his teacher, he got disconnected.

Revised: Angelo informed his teacher; he got disconnected.

3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to connect grammatically similar elements.

Remember the acronym, FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Run-on sentence: Lina lost her bag she asked for help from the guard.

Revised: Lina lost her bag, so she asked for help from the guard.

Run-on sentence: Angelo wanted to inform his teacher he got disconnected.

Revised: Angelo wanted to inform his teacher, but he got disconnected.

4. Use subordinating conjunction to convert an independent clause into a dependent clause.

Examples of subordinating conjunctions are although, because, when, unless, etc.

Run-on sentence: Lina asked for help she lost her bag.

Revised: Lina asked for help because she lost her bag.

Run-on sentence: Angelo smiled at his teacher he got disconnected.

Revised: Angelo smiled at his teacher before he got disconnected.

Note:

1. When a subordinating conjunction is attached to an independent clause, it will turn into a

dependent clause.
2. Place a comma after a dependent clause when it is written first followed by an independent
clause.

Example:

Run-on sentence: Lina asked for help she lost her bag.

Revised: After she lost her bag, Lina asked for help.