Let’s Slow Down With the Run-on Sentences

Let’s slow down on the use of run-on sentences. In fact, let’s stop using them altogether! 

What are run-on sentences?

Run-on sentences are sentences that as the name suggests, are not separated by a punctuation but they “run” into each other. When your sentence has two independent clauses and there’s not a conjunction connecting the two clauses, it’s not okay to have these guys running into each other without a punctuation such as a period, semi-colon, or a comma. 

What is an independent clause?

An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own. In other words, it can be written as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. 

Example:

I am going to church today I am going to see the pastor. 

The sentence above appears to be seemingly correct, but the clauses “I am going to church today” and “I am going to see the pastor” are two independent clauses that require a punctuation or a conjunction. 

How could we improve this? 

-By using a semicolon: 

I am going to church today; I am going to see the pastor. 

-By using a conjunction: 

I am going to church today and I am going to see the pastor.

-Using a period: 

I am going to church today. I am going to see the pastor. 

Another example:

She got an A on the test she studied everyday.

The sentence above appears to be seemingly correct, but the clauses “She got an A on the test” and “She studied everyday” are two independent clauses so it is a deadly sin to combine these sentences without some point of separation. 

Essentially, they can stand on their own.

To correct these sentences, we can use a subordinating conjunction such as “because:” 

She got an A on the test because she studied everyday. 

We can also use a semicolon. A semicolon shows that the clauses are related, although they are independent: 

She got an A on the test; she studied everyday. 

Finally, a period could be used, depending on the context of your writing:

She got an A on the test. She studied everyday. 

Since the above clauses are independent, using a comma to separate them would be a grammatical sin. 

“She got an A on the test, she studied everyday.” This is what is known as a comma splice and you should try to avoid it.  

Run on sentences in social media. 

Since I’m on social media everyday, why not turn to my favorite place to see run-on sentences in action? 

Let’s examine the comments below and see how they can be improved. 

Easy fix: Insert a question mark after “soon.”

Easy fix: Insert a comma after “jobs.”

Easy fix: Insert a period or a semi-colon after “amazing” and a period after “videos.”

I see this deadly sin (run-on sentences) all the time! – from social media comments to my text messages, pretty much everywhere. I’m anal AF. I remember not responding to a dude’s text because of his choice to combine several independent clauses without proper punctuation. 

Quick tip:

Before writing down your sentence, sound it out in your mind first. Does it seem like you’re trying to combine different statements that could stand on their own? 

When your sentence is not properly punctuated, it is really up to the reader’s discretion to determine how they’ll interpret it. Punctuation tells a reader when to pause or stop. If they’re missing, this lends your writing to multiple interpretations, some of which are clearly unintended.

Ahh, it is time to think twice before you write and do it right in 2020.

PC:clipartsfree.net