Run-on Sentences Information from BYUI - Fundamental English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ARqUdCkdg robot run-ons -- FANBOYS explanation
Quiz: http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/comma_splices_ex1.htm
What is a Run-on Sentence?
A run-on results when two independent sentences (called “clauses”) are run together without correct punctuation. Described below are the different types of run-ons and the various ways to correct them.
Comma Splice Run-ons When two independent sentences are separated by a comma instead of a period, the result is called a comma splice.
Comma Splice (Run-on): Swimming is good exercise, I do it every morning.
- Option # 1: Add a coordinating conjunction (also called a FANBOYS conjunction: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), along with the comma, to join the sentences. A FANBOY conjunction and a comma must come together to separate two independence sentences. Correct Punctuation: Swimming is good exercise, so I do it every morning. (Notice that there is a comma and a FANBOYS conjunction [so])
Incorrect Punctuation (Run-on): I still haven’t figured out Spanish and I’ve been studying it for years.
Incorrect Punctuation (Run-on): I have been waiting here for one hour so I’m going home. (Notice that there is a FANBOYS conjunction but no comma; this does not work.) The clause following the conjunctions in each sentence (“I’ve been studying it for years” and “I’m going home”) could stand alone as complete sentences. Therefore, a comma must appear before the FANBOYS conjunction.
Correct Punctuation: I still haven’t figured out Spanish, and I’ve been studying it for years. Correct Punctuation: I have been waiting here for one hour, so I’m going home.
- Option #2: Separate the sentences with a period. Correct Punctuation: Swimming is good exercise. I do it every morning. Option #3: Use a semicolon to seperate the two sentences. (A semi-colon indicates a close relationship between the sentences.) Correct Punctuation: Swimming is good exercise; I do it every morning.
Fused Sentence Run-ons Sometimes two independent sentences are run together without any punctuation or a conjunction. You can fix fused sentences using the same options described in the “comma splices” section above. No Punctuation (Run-on): I hope to go to the movies this weekend there is a new one in the dollar theater.
- Option #1: Add an appropriate word (like a conjunction) to join the sentences. Correct Punctuation: I hope to go to the movies this weekend because there is a new one in the dollar theater.
- Option #2: Separate the sentences with a period. 2 Correct Punctuation: I hope to go to the movies this weekend. There is a new one in the dollar theater.
- Option #3: Use a semicolon to indicate a close relationship between the two sentences. Correct Punctuation: I hope to go to the movies this weekend; there is a new one in the dollar theater.
