Run-ons and Fragments

RUN-ON SENTENCES

Run-on (or fused) sentences are composed of two or more complete sentences without proper punctuation between them.

INCORRECT: I went to the mall it was busy because of the upcoming holidays.

You can make a few different revisions to fix a run-on sentence:

Split it into two sentences with a period.

CORRECTED: I went to the mall. It was busy because of the upcoming holidays.

Connect the two parts with a comma¹ and a conjunction.

CORRECTED: I went to the mall, and it was busy because of the upcoming holidays.

If the parts are closely related, connect them with a semicolon.

CORRECTED: I went to the mall; it was busy because of the upcoming holidays.

If the second part is a restatement or amplification of the first, connect them with a colon.

CORRECTED: I shop constantly because I can't stop: I'm addicted to it.

SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Sentence fragments are groups of words that cannot stand on their own as sentences. Avoid fragments in your writing by going through the following checklist. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you have a fragment, and you must revise it.

Does it lack a subject?

INCORRECT: And went to the store this morning to buy groceries.

CORRECTED: I got up and went to the store this morning to buy groceries.

Does it lack a verb?

INCORRECT: Her expensive outfit, with all its rich accessories.

CORRECTED: Her expensive outfit, with all its rich accessories, didn't help her gain acceptance with the clique.

Is it a subordinate clause²?

INCORRECT: Although she could've ordered any entrée she wanted.

CORRECTED: Although she could've ordered any entrée she wanted, she went with the cheapest one on the menu.

¹ The conjunction is essential here; omitting it results in a comma splice, which is discussed further in the comma handout

²Subordinate clauses are groups of words that have subjects and verbs, but they begin with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun such as after, although, because, etc. See Hacker for a complete list.