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Run on sentence

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A run-on is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (i.e complete sentences) are joined without an appropriate punctuation or conjunction for example:

Contents

It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.

Although this is generally considered a stylistic error it is occasionally used in literature and may be used as a rhetorical device.

Example

Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are joined without using a coordinating conjunction (i.e. for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or correct punctuation (i.e. semicolon, dash, or period).

A run-on sentence can be as short as four words. For instance, I drive she walks. In this case, there are two subjects paired with two intransitive verbs. An imperative sentence like "Run walk" can be a run-on even if it only has two words. However, with correct punctuation, a writer can assemble multiple independent clauses in a single sentence.

While some sources view comma splices as a form of run-on sentence others limit the term to independent clauses that are joined without punctuation.

There are several ways to correct a run-on sentence:

  • Insert a semicolon or dash:
  • It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.
  • It is nearly half past five—we cannot reach town before dark.
  • Write the two clauses as two separate sentences (Note: this may disconnect related independent clauses and cause some of the meaning to be lost):
  • It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.
  • Insert a coordinating conjunction with a comma:
  • It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.
  • It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach town before dark.
  • Make one clause dependent on the other:
  • Because it is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
  • It is nearly half past five which means we cannot reach town before dark.

    • Literature

    Although the run-on sentence is considered grammatically incorrect there are numerous examples of its use in literature.

  • The short story ""Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman" is known for its use of non-standard grammar one example of which is a paragraph about jelly beans composed almost entirely of run-on sentences.
  • James Joyce's novel Ulysses comprises streams of consciousness that often take the form of long and unpunctuated run-on sentences – particularly the final chapter "Penelope".

    • References

    Run-on sentence Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA