A run-on sentence is a common mistake in writing. It is a sentence that is too long. Run-on sentences have too many ideas and too many subjects. This lesson shows you how to avoid or fix run-on sentences.
Here is an example of a run-on sentence:
“I went to the beach yesterday” is one idea. “It was very hot” is another idea. This sentence has two ideas. It is too long. The correct version is two sentences:
Run-on sentences are not grammatically correct. They are also difficult to read. People can’t follow your writing when you keep adding ideas to your sentences. To avoid run-on sentences, follow this rule:
A sentence has got one subject and one main idea.
What does that rule mean? Let’s take a look.
First, your sentences should have one subject. Look at the example with the two subjects underlined:
This sentence has two subjects. That’s why it is a run-on sentence. It is also talking about two ideas: the action of going to the beach and the weather.
Take a look at some more run-on sentence mistakes:
You might be thinking that “Susan” and “she” are the same subject. Well, not quite. They are talking about the same person, but when you use “she” you have created a new subject.
Comma Splices
A comma splice is the most common type of run-on sentence. This is when two different ideas are joined by a comma. This is a mistake.
Here is an example:
That is a comma splice, and it is incorrect. Many people think they can use a comma because the ideas are related. That’s not true. If you use a new subject, you need a new sentence.
Solutions to Run-On Sentences