FeedbackSearchLoginFeedbackSearchLoginRun-on Sentences
 Home > Editing > Run-on Sentences

Run-on Sentences

AVOID FUSED SENTENCES

A fused sentence , also called a run-on sentence, joins two independent (main) clauses without a conjunction and/or proper punctuation. A fused sentence combines two complete sentences without indicating where one stops and the other begins.

Fused:

Chefs cook waiters serve.

Correct:

Chefs cook; waiters serve.

Fused:

The jury discussed the case carefully they reviewed each piece of evidence.

Correct:

The jury discussed the case carefully. They reviewed each piece of evidence.

CORRECT FUSED SENTENCES IN FIVE WAYS

1. End one independent (main) clause) with a period. Capitalize the first word of the next.

Not: The apartment dwellers screamed fire engulfed the building.
But: The apartment dwellers screamed. Fire engulfed the building.

2. Place a comma (,) and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, yet, so) between the independent clauses.

Not: Peter supported his parents and siblings only he had been able to find a job.
But: Peter supported his parents and siblings, for only he had been able to find a job.

3. Place a semicolon (;) between the two independent (main) clauses.

Not: The police car stopped the ambulance sped ahead.
But: The police car stopped; the ambulance sped ahead.

4. Place a semicolon (;) and a transition between the independent clauses. Transitions include words and phrases such as

consequently

nevertheless

after all

in fact

furthermore

nonetheless

as a result

in other words

however

therefore

for example

in the meantime

moreover

thus

in addition

on the other hand

Not: Thomas Hardy is remembered chiefly for his novels he also wrote poetry.
But: Thomas Hardy is remembered chiefly for his novels; however, he also wrote poetry.

5. Turn one of the independent (main) clauses into a dependent (subordinate) clause.

Not: William was the duke of Normandy he became king of England.
But: William was the duke of Normandy who became king of England.








To learn more about the book this website supports, please visit its Information Center.
(c)2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.