RUN-ON SENTENCES AND WAYS TO CORRECT THEM

TYPES OF RUN-ON SENTENCES A comma splice contains two main clauses illegally joined by a comma. The problem looks like this:comma splicemain clauses main clause +, + main clause = RUN-ON. A fused sentence contains two or more main clauses illegally run together with no punctuation whatsoever. The problem looks like this:fused sentencemain clauses main clause + Ø + main clause = RUN-ON. A lonely boy sentence contains two main clauses joined only by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). The problem looks like this: Main clause + FANBOY + main clause = RUN-ON.

MAIN CLAUSE A main clause is a group of words that can stand on its own as a complete sentence. A main clause must contain Subject (noun or pronoun) Verb (action word) Meaning (must make sense without adding anything else)

EASY FIXES 1 – Change the comma to a semicolon. Comma Splices, option 1

EXAMPLE: We went to the basketball game, we had a great time. (comma splice) We went to the basketball game; we had a great time. (successful correction)

CORRECTING COMMA SPLICES 2 – Insert a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) after the comma. option 2

EXAMPLE: We went to the basketball game, we had a great time. (comma splice) We went to the basketball game, and we had a great time. (successful correction)

CORRECTING FUSED SENTENCES THREE EASY OPTIONS

FUSED SENTENCES 1 – Separate the main clauses with a period and a capital letter. Option 1

EXAMPLE FUSED Halloween is my favorite holiday every year I go Trick-or-Treating. CORRECTED Halloween is my favorite holiday. Every year I go Trick-or-Treating.

CORRECTING FUSED SENTENCES 2 – Insert a semicolon between the main clauses. Option 2

EXAMPLE: FUSED Halloween is my favorite holiday every year I go Trick-or-Treating. CORRECTED Halloween is my favorite holiday; every year I go Trick-or-Treating.

CORRECTING FUSED SENTENCES 3 – Insert a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) between the main clauses. Option 3

EXAMPLE: FUSED Halloween is my favorite holiday every year I go Trick-or- Treating. CORRECTED Halloween is my favorite holiday, so every year I go Trick-or- Treating.

CORRECTING LONELY BOY SENTENCES Insert a comma before the coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Giving FANBOYS a partner

EXAMPLE: The temperature outside was minus four but we still went sledding. (lonely boy) The temperature outside was minus four, but we still went sledding. (successful correction)