#4: Run-on Sentences

This is the comment that sparked this Grammar Guide:

Yeah gotta say that's true. I mean recently I had a review for a story that said it had run on sentences.

What the hell is a run on sentence? I couldn't even begin to tell you exactly which sentences are running and which are standing still in my fics Unless they were physically pointed out to me, but then who's got the time to do that. We've all got busy lives to lead.

Busy lives, true, but asking for a definition gets an answer.

What is a run-on sentence? A run-on sentence is a sentence that changes subjects and doesn't have the proper punctuation usually subjects linked together with a bunch of conjunctions and people typically write them when they get wrapped up in just getting the ideas on paper, missing them when they edit the work.

Now for the corrected version of the run-on sentence above. A run-on sentence is a sentence that changes subjects and doesn't have the proper punctuation, usually subjects linked together with a bunch of conjunctions. People typically write them when they get wrapped up in just getting the ideas on paper, missing them when they edit the work.

Okay. So basically what you're saying is a run-on sentence is similar to a paragraph...kind of.

I should be putting a comma or full stop when there's a change of subject. Right?
And conjunctions, thats and isn't it. Joining words right?

Conjunctions are "and," "but," and "or."

Contractions are "that's" and "isn't."

A run-on sentence is when two separate sentences, stating two different ideas, are put together without punctuation or using only a comma. Here's a website to help. Run-on sentences

If you can think like an editor while crafting your sentences, less work you will leave for your beta reader. Not to suggest that you trample on your little darlings while you write them, but to strive for more clarity for the reader. So here's the assignment: 5 run-on sentences, you get to fix them.

Example: The choice of a camera is difficult, there are many good ones on the market.

There are four ways to correct a run-on sentences.

1. Add a period, easiest way.
   
   The choice of a camera is difficult. There are many good ones on the market.


2. Add a comma and a conjunction.
   
   The choice of a camera is difficult, but there are many good ones on the market.


3. Add a preposition.
   
   The choice of a camera is difficult because there are many good ones on the market.


4. Add a semicolon.
   
   The choice of a camera is difficult; there are many good ones on the market.

Use each of these methods to correct the following sentences and post how you do.

1. In social studies this year we are studying our major national problems, so far we have covered poverty, violence, conservation, and education.


2. The West that the writer describes was a wild, lawless place, a man was not respected until he had killed someone.


3. Ynes Mexia, the botanical explorer, discovered rare tropical plants on her expeditions to Mexico and South America, this was of great value to science.


4. Every young person should learn one important fact about life, you do not have to be beautiful to have an attractive personality.


5. Juan took an art elective and discovered he had talent, now he spends his afternoons in the art room.

Grade yourself here.