Learning how to fix run-on sentences can be challenging for writers of all levels. From beginning writers who don't have the conceptual grasp of a complete thought to more experience writers who get caught up in the mire of dependent clauses and phrases, here are a few workable strategies to revise these errors in sentence structure.

Definition: A sentence run-on consists of two or more independent clauses connected together as if they were one sentence without the benefit of a conjunction or proper punctuation. An independent clause means that there is a subject and a connecting verb that express a complete thought.

Sentence Run-On Example:

The cat just went crazy, she tore up the curtains.

Run-On Examples and Their Fixes

1. Separate the run-on into two or more sentences.

Example:
Luis told his brother he told his sister, too.
Run-On
Luis told his brother. He told his sister, too.
Complete

2. Add a semi-colon between the clauses.

Example:
Mary let him have it, she knew what she was doing.
Run-On
Mary let him have it; she knew what she was doing.
Complete

3. Add a comma, then a conjunction after the first independent clause.

Example:
I like her, she doesn't like me.
Run-On
I like her, but she doesn't like me.
Complete

4. Add a subordinating conjunction to one of the clauses.

Example:
Max was injured, he was still the best.
Run-On
Even though Max was injured, he was still the best.
Complete

5. Change the second clause to a phrase starting with an __ing word.

Example:
They went to school, they looked for him.
Run-On
They went to school, looking for him.
Complete

Mark Pennington is an educational author, presenter, reading specialist, and middle school teacher. Mark is committed to differentiated instruction for the diverse needs of today's remedial reading students. Visit Mark's website at http://www.penningtonpublishing.com to check out his free teacher resources and books: Teaching Reading Strategies, Teaching Essay Strategies, Teaching Grammar and Mechanics, and Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary.