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. |