Run on sentences
51 flashcards covering Run on sentences for the ACT English & Reading section.
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses—complete thoughts that could stand alone as sentences—are jammed together without proper punctuation or connecting words. For example, "I went to the store I bought milk" is a run-on because it incorrectly links two ideas without a period, semicolon, or conjunction. This error makes writing unclear and disrupts the flow, which is why it's important to master in English.
On the ACT English section, run-on sentences appear in questions that ask you to identify and correct errors in passages, often testing your ability to spot faulty sentence structures amid other issues like fragments or comma splices. Common traps include assuming that longer sentences are always correct or missing subtle connections between clauses. Focus on recognizing independent clauses and knowing how to separate them properly, such as by using periods, semicolons, or coordinating conjunctions with commas.
A good tip: Always read sentences aloud to catch where they might run on.
Terms (51)
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Run-on sentence
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunction, making the sentence grammatically incorrect and hard to read.
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Comma splice
A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction.
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Fused sentence
A fused sentence is a run-on where two independent clauses are joined with no punctuation or conjunction at all, blending them into one long, incorrect sentence.
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Independent clause
An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence because it has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
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How to identify a run-on
To identify a run-on sentence, look for two or more independent clauses that are not properly separated by punctuation or connected with the right conjunctions.
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Fixing a run-on with a period
One way to fix a run-on is to use a period to separate the independent clauses, creating two distinct sentences.
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Fixing a run-on with a semicolon
A semicolon can fix a run-on by joining two closely related independent clauses, indicating a stronger connection than a period.
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Fixing a run-on with a comma and conjunction
To fix a run-on, use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction like and, but, or so to properly join two independent clauses.
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Fixing a run-on with a subordinating conjunction
A subordinating conjunction, such as because or although, can fix a run-on by turning one independent clause into a dependent clause.
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Coordinating conjunctions for run-ons
Coordinating conjunctions like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so can be used with a comma to correctly connect independent clauses in a run-on.
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Common words that cause run-ons
Transition words like however, therefore, and moreover can lead to run-ons if not punctuated correctly, often requiring a semicolon or period before them.
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Difference between run-on and fragment
A run-on sentence has too many independent clauses joined improperly, while a sentence fragment is an incomplete thought that lacks a subject, verb, or proper structure.
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Run-ons in compound sentences
In compound sentences, run-ons occur when independent clauses are not joined correctly, such as missing a comma before a coordinating conjunction.
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Run-ons in complex sentences
Run-ons can happen in complex sentences if an independent clause is incorrectly attached to a dependent clause without proper punctuation.
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Using a dash to fix a run-on
An em dash can fix a run-on by separating independent clauses for emphasis, though it's less common and should be used carefully in formal writing.
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When a semicolon is preferred
A semicolon is preferred for fixing run-ons when the independent clauses are closely related and no conjunction is needed for clarity.
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Trap: Assuming long sentences are run-ons
Not all long sentences are run-ons; a sentence is only a run-on if it improperly joins independent clauses, so check for correct punctuation first.
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Trap: Misusing commas in run-ons
A common trap is adding a comma between independent clauses without a conjunction, creating a comma splice instead of fixing the run-on.
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Strategy: Read aloud to spot run-ons
On the ACT, read sentences aloud to detect run-ons by listening for places where the sentence feels like it should pause or stop for proper flow.
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Strategy: Check for multiple verbs
To catch run-ons, scan for sentences with multiple verbs that might indicate independent clauses are jammed together without separation.
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Example of a basic comma splice
In a basic comma splice, a sentence like 'I went to the store, I bought milk' incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma.
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Example of a fused sentence
A fused sentence might look like 'I woke up early I went for a run,' where two independent clauses run together without any punctuation.
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Corrected comma splice example
To correct a comma splice like 'I went to the store, I bought milk,' add a coordinating conjunction: 'I went to the store, and I bought milk.'
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Corrected fused sentence example
For a fused sentence like 'I woke up early I went for a run,' insert a period: 'I woke up early. I went for a run.'
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Run-ons with transitional phrases
Run-ons often involve transitional phrases like 'for example' or 'on the other hand,' which require proper punctuation to separate them from independent clauses.
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Advanced: Subtle run-ons
On the ACT, subtle run-ons might involve clauses that seem connected by context but still need punctuation, such as when ideas flow logically without it.
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Why run-ons affect clarity
Run-ons reduce clarity by making sentences confusing and hard to follow, which is why the ACT tests the ability to recognize and fix them for effective communication.
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ACT question type: Run-on identification
ACT questions may ask you to identify a run-on in a passage and choose the option that correctly rewrites it with proper punctuation.
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ACT question type: Run-on correction
In ACT English, you might select the best way to correct a run-on from multiple choices, focusing on punctuation like semicolons or conjunctions.
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Trap: Overcorrecting with commas
A trap on the ACT is overcorrecting run-ons by adding too many commas, which can create other errors like comma splices in new forms.
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Using parentheses for run-ons
Parentheses can fix a run-on by setting off additional information, but they work best for non-essential clauses rather than main independent ones.
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Run-ons in lists
Run-ons can occur in sentences with lists if items are not properly punctuated, such as fusing clauses within the list structure.
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Strategy: Break down clauses
To handle run-ons on the ACT, break the sentence into its individual clauses and determine if they need separation or connection.
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Common conjunction errors
Errors in run-ons often involve forgetting to pair a comma with a coordinating conjunction, leading to incomplete fixes.
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Run-ons with quotes
In dialogue or quotes, run-ons happen if spoken words are not punctuated correctly, such as fusing multiple statements.
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Advanced: Choosing the best fix
On advanced ACT questions, select the most appropriate fix for a run-on based on context, like using a semicolon for related ideas versus a period for contrast.
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Trap: Confusing with compound predicates
A trap is mistaking a compound predicate for a run-on; if one subject has multiple verbs, it's not a run-on unless clauses are independent.
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Example: Run-on with however
An example is 'I wanted to go however I stayed home,' which is a run-on because 'however' needs a semicolon or period before it.
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Corrected example with however
Correcting the run-on: 'I wanted to go; however, I stayed home,' properly uses a semicolon before the transitional word.
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Run-ons in descriptive writing
In descriptive passages on the ACT, run-ons might string together vivid details without punctuation, obscuring the sentence's flow.
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Strategy: Use elimination for fixes
For ACT run-on questions, eliminate answer choices that create new errors, like fragments, while ensuring the fix addresses the original issue.
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Advanced: Contextual run-ons
Advanced run-ons depend on context; for instance, what works in informal writing might not pass on the ACT, where formal rules apply.
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Trap: Ignoring sentence purpose
A trap is fixing a run-on without considering the sentence's purpose, such as choosing a conjunction that changes the intended meaning.
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Example: Complex run-on
A complex run-on might be 'She finished her homework she ate dinner because she was hungry,' fusing multiple clauses without proper links.
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Corrected complex run-on example
Correct the complex run-on: 'She finished her homework, and then she ate dinner because she was hungry,' using a comma and conjunction.
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Run-ons with numbers or dates
Run-ons can involve lists of numbers or dates if not punctuated, like 'The events happened in 1990 2000 and 2010' without commas or separation.
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Strategy: Practice with passages
On the ACT, practice identifying run-ons within full passages to understand how they disrupt the overall flow and coherence.
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Advanced: Punctuation nuances
Nuances include knowing when a colon can fix a run-on by introducing an explanation, though it's not always the best choice for independent clauses.
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Trap: Relying on intuition alone
A trap is relying on intuition for run-ons without checking grammar rules, as some sentences may feel correct but still violate punctuation standards.
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Example: Run-on in questions
An example is 'Are you coming should I wait,' which is a run-on question fusing two clauses that need a question mark or conjunction.
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Corrected run-on in questions
Correct it: 'Are you coming? Should I wait?' by using a question mark to separate the independent clauses.