Run-on, Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

• A main clause contains an independent subject and verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Cramming two or more clauses together with incorrect or missing punctuation may hurt the intended meaning of the target message.

Why run-on sentences are bad

• Run-on sentences are confusing to the reader
• They indicate the writer cannot tell where one sentence ends and another begins
• They fail to show the reader where one idea ends and the next one begins
• The writer confuses the reader by failing to correctly signal the separation between two complete ideas.

Simple Sentences

• Has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
• Can also be referred to as an independent clause.

Compound Sentences

• A sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction.

Complex Sentence

• Made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it.
• A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.

Run-on Sentence

• A run-on sentence (fused sentence) contains two independent clauses that have been incorrectly joined together.
• Example error: I have a test on Thursday it could not be difficult.
• Example correction: I have a test on Thursday, and it could not be difficult.

Comma Splice

• When two independent clauses are joined with just a comma (without a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or), the error is called a comma splice.
• Example error: The student election is this week, I have no idea who is running.
• Example correction: The student election is this week, but I have no idea who is running.

Common Run-on Sentence Examples

• Fused Sentence: I went to the store it was closed.
• Comma Splice: I went to the store, it was closed.

Three Strategies to Correct a Run-On Sentence.

• Divide the run-on sentence into two separate sentences, ending each with a period.
  • If the sentences are questions, end them with question marks
• Example: I don't play tennis well. I have a poor backhand.
• Example: The next game is at our school. We want to go to it.
• Change the run-on sentence to a compound sentence by separating the clauses with a coordinating conjunction if the relationship between the clauses is clear without a conjunction.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• There are seven coordinating conjunctions that can be remembered by the acronym "FANBOYS".
  • F = for
  • A = and
  • N = nor
  • B = but
  • O = or
  • Y = yet
  • S = so
• A coordinating conjunction that logically joins the two complete sentences must be used.

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

• For: I don't play tennis well, for I have a poor backhand.
• And: Ronaldo is a brilliant player, and people enjoy watching him.
• Nor: He has not trained this week, nor does he need to.
• But: His techniques are unconventional, but the effect is striking.
• Or: He can answer write the report, or he can prepare the design.
• Yet: Many players tried to imitate him, yet they did not succeed
• So: He is talented, so he can easily attract the audience.

Semicolons

• Unlike a comma, a semicolon is a strong enough mark of punctuation to join two main clauses.
• The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning.
• Do not capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized.
• Limit use of semicolons as they should not be scattered throughout writing.

Complex Sentences

• Change the run-on sentence to a complex one by placing a subordinating conjunction before one of the clauses.
  • Example: I don't play tennis well because I have a poor backhand.
  • Example: Because the next game is at our school, we want to go to it.

Subordinate Conjunctions (Tricky)

• There are many subordinate conjunctions to choose from
• Use the right punctuation

Subordinate Conjunctions List

• after
• although
• as
• as if
• as long as
• provided that
• as though
• because
• before
• even if
• whenever
• if
• even though
• how
• as soon as
• in so far as
• so that
• rather than
• until
• when
• now that
• once
• whether
• in case
• in that
• in order that
• where
• just as
• no matter
• how
• since
• than
• that
• though
• till
• unless
• wherever
• whereas

Fixing Problem Sentences

• A good writer will fix problem sentences using all four strategies: adding a period and a capital letter, using a comma and a conjunction, joining the two main clauses with a semicolon, or subordinating one of the parts with a subordinate conjunction.

Identifying Run-ons

• Run-ons are easy to correct once you have identified them; one helpful tip is knowing where to start

Imaginary Period Tip

• If a sentence contains two separate ideas, put an imaginary period between them.
• Ask: Can BOTH parts now stand alone as complete sentences?
• If so, then the sentence might be a run-on.

Examples of Period Tip

• Example Error: I have a test on Thursday it should not be difficult.
• Application of Tip: I have a test on Thursday. It should not be difficult.

In Conclusion

• In both cases, the two new sentences created by the Imaginary Period Tip can stand alone.
• Each part of the Tip Applied sentence is a complete sentence, not a fragment.