Identifying run-on sentences is an important part of editing and improving your writing.
Run-on sentences happen when two or more complete thoughts are stuck together without the right punctuation or connecting words. A study from Purdue University found that about 60% of students have trouble with this in their writing.
Here are some easy ways to spot and fix run-on sentences.
Read Aloud
Try reading your writing out loud. If a sentence is too long or confusing, it will be hard to follow. This can help you hear where you need to pause, like where punctuation should go.
Look for Complete Thoughts
Knowing what a complete thought (or independent clause) is helps a lot. A complete thought has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own. If you find more than one complete thought in a sentence that doesn't have proper punctuation, you probably have a run-on.
Sentence Diagramming
This is a way to break down sentences and see their structure. Drawing out the parts of the sentence can help you find where clauses connect, making run-ons easier to spot.
Use Grammar Checkers
Online tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can highlight run-on sentences for you. These tools can lower grammar mistakes by up to 85% when you use them regularly.
Look for Connecting Words
Check if you used FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in your sentences. If you have complete thoughts without a connecting word, it’s likely a run-on. According to the University of California, around 75% of students miss the need for these words in complicated sentences.
Once you find a run-on sentence, there are a few ways to fix it:
Split into Two Sentences
The easiest fix is to separate them into different sentences. For example, change:
Use a Semicolon
If the thoughts are related, you can use a semicolon:
Add a Conjunction
You can also add a connecting word to join the thoughts:
Use Subordination
Turn one of the thoughts into a supporting part of the sentence:
By using these tips, you can find and fix run-on sentences in your writing. This will make your work clearer and easier to read.
Keep practicing these skills, as around 40% of writing problems come from not knowing how to use sentences properly. With careful editing, you can make your writing much more readable and engaging!
Identifying run-on sentences is an important part of editing and improving your writing.
Run-on sentences happen when two or more complete thoughts are stuck together without the right punctuation or connecting words. A study from Purdue University found that about 60% of students have trouble with this in their writing.
Here are some easy ways to spot and fix run-on sentences.
Read Aloud
Try reading your writing out loud. If a sentence is too long or confusing, it will be hard to follow. This can help you hear where you need to pause, like where punctuation should go.
Look for Complete Thoughts
Knowing what a complete thought (or independent clause) is helps a lot. A complete thought has a subject and a verb and makes sense on its own. If you find more than one complete thought in a sentence that doesn't have proper punctuation, you probably have a run-on.
Sentence Diagramming
This is a way to break down sentences and see their structure. Drawing out the parts of the sentence can help you find where clauses connect, making run-ons easier to spot.
Use Grammar Checkers
Online tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can highlight run-on sentences for you. These tools can lower grammar mistakes by up to 85% when you use them regularly.
Look for Connecting Words
Check if you used FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in your sentences. If you have complete thoughts without a connecting word, it’s likely a run-on. According to the University of California, around 75% of students miss the need for these words in complicated sentences.
Once you find a run-on sentence, there are a few ways to fix it:
Split into Two Sentences
The easiest fix is to separate them into different sentences. For example, change:
Use a Semicolon
If the thoughts are related, you can use a semicolon:
Add a Conjunction
You can also add a connecting word to join the thoughts:
Use Subordination
Turn one of the thoughts into a supporting part of the sentence:
By using these tips, you can find and fix run-on sentences in your writing. This will make your work clearer and easier to read.
Keep practicing these skills, as around 40% of writing problems come from not knowing how to use sentences properly. With careful editing, you can make your writing much more readable and engaging!