Correcting Run-ons (just in case you lost the sheet)

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 |	yet
but |	nor |	so

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 (subordinate conjunction).

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. (See Chapter 5.) 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.

List of Subordinating Conjunctions

What follows is a list of common subordinating conjunctions used in the English language:

• after
• although
• as
• as if
• as long as
• as much as
• as soon as
• as though
• because
• before
• even
• even if
• even though
• if
• if only
• if when
• if then 
• inasmuch
• in order that
• just as
• lest
• now
• now since
• now that
• now when
• once
• provided
• provided that
• rather than
• since
• so that
• supposing
• than
• that
• though
• til
• unless
• until
• when
• whenever
• where
• whereas
• where if
• wherever
• whether
• which
• while
• who
• whoever
• why

Examples:

• After running five miles around the track, Henry was much too tired to go to basketball practice.
• Now that Maria has earned enough money, she can finally buy the concert tickets.
• He will be allowed to go to the zoo, provided that his homework is finished in time.
• You cannot watch television, unless you complete your chores.
• While Alex is a good tennis player, Samantha is better.