Webster University: How to Catch and Correct Run-on Sentences

How to Catch and Correct Run-on Sentences

A “run-on” sentence contains two (or more) independent clauses that are incorrectly joined together. (An independent clause is a word group that can stand alone as a sentence.)

To catch or to correct run-on sentences, follow these common guidelines:

Join the two clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction*
Break the run-on sentence into two separate sentences
Join the clauses with a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb** followed by a comma; however,
Join the clauses with a semi-colon

*Use this mnemonic for remembering the coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS = For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

**conjunctive adverbs include therefore, nevertheless, however, as a result, in any case, consequently, and thus

Incorrect	Correct
Body language is non-verbal everyone uses it to communicate.	Body language is non-verbal, and everyone uses it to communicate. (coordinating conjunction preceded by a comma)
Tom enjoys playing hockey, he plays it as much as he can.	Tom enjoys playing hockey. He plays it as much as he can. (two sentences)
Many people believe that violence on television has a negative effect on our youth, however, this topic continues to be debated.	Many people believe that violence on television has a negative effect on our youth; however, this topic continues to be debated. (semi-colon + conjunctive adverb + comma)
Increased pollution in the environment threatens the health of millions this is an indisputable fact.	Increased pollution in the environment threatens the health of millions; this is an indisputable fact. (semi-colon)