Grammatically Correct 5/25/05
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
Recognize and fix a run-on or fused sentence
by W. Scott Harkey
What’s a run-on or fused sentence? Basically, a run-on sentence, sometimes called a fused sentence, is a combination of complete clauses that have been improperly connected—that is joined without any form of punctuation or joining word—to make one sentence. A common misunderstanding is that length has something to do with this grammatical flaw; however, with correct punctuation, a 239 word sentence can be perfectly grammatical. With that in mind, the primary cause of run-on or fused sentences is incorrect punctuation or no punctuation. Here are some examples to help clear this problem up.

Two or more complete sentences improperly connected is considered a run-on or fused sentence.

Ex. We must go to the store I need to buy toothpaste and dental floss.

Here, we see two complete sentences improperly joined. When seeking out this error in your paper, first look for complete sentences improperly combined.

There are six different ways to fix this error:

1. Divide the sentence into two sentences:
We must go to the store. I need to buy toothpaste and dental floss.

2. Connect the sentences with a semicolon:
We must go to the store; I need to buy toothpaste and dental floss.

3. Connect the sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction:
We must go to the store, so I can buy toothpaste and dental floss.

4. Combine the two independent sentences into one independent sentence:
We must go to the store to buy toothpaste and dental floss.

5. Construct one of the independent sentences as a dependent clause:
Because I need toothpaste and dental floss, we must go to the store.

6. Place a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb, like otherwise and thus, or a transitional expression, like for example and on the other hand, between independent sentences:
We must go to the store; otherwise, I won’t have toothpaste and dental floss for tomorrow.
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week
by W. Scott Harkey

This week we recommend the following site: The Writer’s Workshop at http://www.english.uiuc.edu/cws/wworkshop/writer_resources/grammar_handbook/fused_sentences.htm. This site contains instructional information to help all writers of the English language.

 
Test Your Knowledge
by W. Scott Harkey

Test your understanding of the run-on or fused sentences by correcting the following sentences.

1. What will I do today, what will I do tomorrow?
2. We need milk and we need cereal and bananas.
3. John left his house at 4:00 p.m. he drove down the road and he crashed into a pole.
4. I will watch a movie in an hour and she will watch it with me but I have to rent it first.

ANSWERS

1. What will I do today? What will I do tomorrow?
2. We need milk, cereal, bananas.
3. John left his house at 4:00 p.m. He drove down the road, and he crashed into a pole.
4. I will watch a movie in an hour. She will watch it with me, but I have to rent it first.

Please note that there are alternative ways of correcting these sentences by using the six corrective instructions stated above.

 

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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