runon

A run-on, or run-on sentence, is a sentence that improperly joins two or more independent clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. The two main varieties are fused sentences, where clauses run together with no punctuation, and comma splices, where a comma joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Run-ons can reduce clarity by making it harder for readers to identify the main ideas; they are common in hurried writing or in speech transcriptions, and they can also reflect a deliberate stylistic choice in certain forms of literature.

Causes include insufficient punctuation, overlong clauses, or attempts to convey a rapid flow of thought. While some writers use run-ons for effect, most formal styles discourage them, and editors typically correct them for readability.

Corrections involve punctuation or restructuring. Options include ending one clause with a period, joining clauses with a semicolon, or inserting a coordinating conjunction after a comma (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Another approach is to subordinate one clause using a subordinating conjunction or to split the sentence into shorter sentences. Revisions may also rephrase to reduce clause length or to connect ideas with transitional phrases.

Detecting run-ons relies on careful reading or grammar-checking tools. Understanding the difference between a run-on and legitimate complex sentences helps writers balance clarity and rhythm in prose.