Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Four Ways to Correct Run-ons

1. With End Marks and Capitals 1. With End Marks and Capitals

Run-on: The sale was in full swing in the store people Run-on: The sale was in full swing in the store people
crowded the aisles. crowded the aisles.

Sentence: The sale was in full swing. In the store people Sentence: The sale was in full swing. In the store people
crowded the aisles. crowded the aisles.

2. With Commas and Conjunctions 2. With Commas and Conjunctions

Run-on: The wrapping paper needed cutting we could not Run-on: The wrapping paper needed cutting we could not
locate the scissors. locate the scissors.

Sentence: The wrapping paper needed cutting, but we could Sentence: The wrapping paper needed cutting, but we could
not locate the scissors. not locate the scissors.

3. With Semicolons 3. With Semicolons

Run-on: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals, for example Run-on: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals, for example
it now has a pair of pandas. it now has a pair of pandas.

Sentence: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals; for Sentence: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals; for
example, it now has a pair of pandas. example, it now has a pair of pandas.

4. By Rewriting 4. By Rewriting

Run-on: The horse show began late, someone had misplaced Run-on: The horse show began late, someone had misplaced
the registration forms. the registration forms.

Sentence: The horse show began late because someone had Sentence: The horse show began late because someone had
misplaced the registration forms. (changed to complex misplaced the registration forms. (changed to complex
sentence) sentence)

Run-on: We replaced the sparkplugs, the filter was also bad. Run-on: We replaced the sparkplugs, the filter was also bad.

Sentence: We replaced the sparkplugs and the filter. Sentence: We replaced the sparkplugs and the filter.
(changed to simple sentence with compound direct object) (changed to simple sentence with compound direct object)

Four Ways to Correct Run-ons Four Ways to Correct Run-ons

1. With End Marks and Capitals 1. With End Marks and Capitals

Run-on: The sale was in full swing in the store people Run-on: The sale was in full swing in the store people
crowded the aisles. crowded the aisles.

Sentence: The sale was in full swing. In the store people Sentence: The sale was in full swing. In the store people
crowded the aisles. crowded the aisles.

2. With Commas and Conjunctions 2. With Commas and Conjunctions

Run-on: The wrapping paper needed cutting we could not Run-on: The wrapping paper needed cutting we could not
locate the scissors. locate the scissors.

Sentence: The wrapping paper needed cutting, but we could Sentence: The wrapping paper needed cutting, but we could
not locate the scissors. not locate the scissors.

3. With Semicolons 3. With Semicolons

Run-on: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals, for example Run-on: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals, for example
it now has a pair of pandas. it now has a pair of pandas.

Sentence: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals; for Sentence: Our zoo has acquired many rare animals; for
example, it now has a pair of pandas. example, it now has a pair of pandas.

4. By Rewriting 4. By Rewriting

Run-on: The horse show began late, someone had misplaced Run-on: The horse show began late, someone had misplaced
the registration forms. the registration forms.

Sentence: The horse show began late because someone had Sentence: The horse show began late because someone had
misplaced the registration forms. (changed to complex misplaced the registration forms. (changed to complex
sentence) sentence)

Run-on: We replaced the sparkplugs, the filter was also bad. Run-on: We replaced the sparkplugs, the filter was also bad.

Sentence: We replaced the sparkplugs and the filter. Sentence: We replaced the sparkplugs and the filter.
(changed to simple sentence with compound direct object) (changed to simple sentence with compound direct object)
1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry. 1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry.
2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt 2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt
anew the power of those words. anew the power of those words.
3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when 3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when
multiplying he always put it in the wrong place. multiplying he always put it in the wrong place.
4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the 4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the
floor. floor.
5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone. 5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone.
6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it. 6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it.
7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it. 7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it.
8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not 8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not
enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter. enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter.
9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude. 9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude.
10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach. 10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach.

1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry. 1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry.
2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt 2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt
anew the power of those words. anew the power of those words.
3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when 3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when
multiplying he always put it in the wrong place. multiplying he always put it in the wrong place.
4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the 4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the
floor. floor.
5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone. 5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone.
6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it. 6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it.
7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it. 7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it.
8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not 8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not
enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter. enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter.
9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude. 9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude.
10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach. 10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach.

1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry. 1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry.
2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt 2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt
anew the power of those words. anew the power of those words.
3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when 3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when
multiplying he always put it in the wrong place. multiplying he always put it in the wrong place.
4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the 4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the
floor. floor.
5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone. 5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone.
6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it. 6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it.
7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it. 7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it.
8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not 8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not
enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter. enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter.
9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude. 9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude.
10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach. 10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach.

1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry. 1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry.
2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt 2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt
anew the power of those words. anew the power of those words.
3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when 3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when
multiplying he always put it in the wrong place. multiplying he always put it in the wrong place.
4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the 4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the
floor. floor.
5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone. 5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone.
6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it. 6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it.
7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it. 7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it.
8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not 8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not
enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter. enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter.
9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude. 9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude.
10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach. 10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach.

1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry. 1. I looked down, I saw that the well was apparently dry.
2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt 2. We read the Preamble to the Constitution, our group felt
anew the power of those words. anew the power of those words.
3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when 3. The boy had trouble with the decimal point when
multiplying he always put it in the wrong place. multiplying he always put it in the wrong place.
4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the 4. The thermometer broke, the mercury spilled onto the
floor. floor.
5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone. 5. I mislaid my car keys, my house keys were also gone.
6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it. 6. It is against the law to litter, nevertheless, people do it.
7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it. 7. Ann threw away the check, but she eventually recovered it.
8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not 8. I generally like the climate of the area where I live I do not
enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter. enjoy the subfreezing temperatures of winter.
9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude. 9. Everyone should be polite, however many people are rude.
10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach. 10. I made my own chilli to eat it one needs an iron stomach.