Run-on Sentences: Correcting Run-on Sentences

Application 1
The first way to correct a run-on sentence is to separate the independent clauses
into distinct sentences.
Run-on: This is not such an elegant playground, still, the kids love it.
Corrected: This is not such an elegant playground. Still, the kids love it.
To correct a run-on by this method, you need a period to mark the end of one sentence
and a capital letter to mark the beginning of the next one.
Application 2
A second method of correcting run-ons is to compound the independent clauses
with a conjunction or a semicolon.
Run-on: That dog is the one that helped me he still scares me.
Corrected: That dog is the one that helped me, but he still scares me.
When you compound independent clauses, put a comma in front of the conjunction.
Remember that a comma by itself is not enough. Review these conjunctions:
and |

for |

or |

but |

nor |

so

yet

You may compound two clauses with a semicolon (;) in those rare cases where the
clauses are so closely related that you don't need another word to show their
relationship.
Run-on: By 7:30, it was too late the show had already begun.
Corrected: By 7:30, it was too late; the show had already begun.
Application 3
A third method of correcting run-ons is to take away the independence of one of
the clauses by adding a dependent word.
Run-on: I won't pay these bills, you explain them to me right now.
Corrected: I won't pay these bills unless you explain them to me right away.
When you put a dependent word in front of one clause, you deprive it of its
independence and allow it to become embedded in the other clause. The dependent

words who, whose, which, and that are special. When one of these introduces a
clause, it replaces a word in the process:
Run-on: This is Myrella's winning lottery ticket, she bought it at Corsetti's Market.
Corrected: This is Myrella's winning lottery ticket which she bought it at Corsetti's
Market.
Application 4
A final method of correcting run-on sentences is to reduce one independent
clause to a verbal or verbal phrase.
Run-on: The icicles were melting they dripped into the bucket below.
Corrected, using a verbal: The melting icicles dripped into the bucket below.
Run-on: The sun was moving slowly to the south side of the house it thawed the roof
gutters.
Corrected, using a verbal phrase: Moving slowly to the south side of the house, the
sun thawed the roof gutters.
When you reduce a clause to a verbal or a verbal phrase, you can embed it in the
remaining independent clause. This method doesn't work with all run-on sentences,
but when it does, it packs the combined ideas efficiently into a small number of
words.

Exercises:

Run-on Sentences: Correcting Run-on Sentences

Correct each run-on below by changing the word or words in bold
to a verbal or a verbal phrase. You'll have to rewrite each
sentence, since you'll be rearranging some of the words.
Example: Those firecrackers are frightening I don't think
they should be part of the children's Fourth of July
program.

I don't think those frightening firecrackers should be part

of the children's Fourth of July program.
1. These phone bills are puzzling I won't pay them until you
explain them.
2. Be careful of those snowmobiles they are racing.
3. You'll love this old recording it has been taped.
4. Mazie served us a platter of biscuits they had been steamed.
5. I don't want to ride on this trolley it's crowded.
6. The toads are sitting on the shoulders of the road in the rain
they don't fear the cars.
7. I need to replace that blue sock it was lost in the washing
machine.
8. Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard were taking enormous
risks they faced each other for the ultimate fight of their careers.
9. It's fascinating to watch the CIA it's changing its strategy in
Central America.

10. The Berlin Wall was erected overnight in August of 1961 it

shows the human dimension of international policy.