Editing Run-Ons

First, reviewing two major types of clauses for which we use to edit syntax:

• Dependent Clause (DEP)

• Incomplete thought/fragment: may or may not have a subject and verb, but the idea implies that there is more to come.

• Example 1:  Having eaten.  
• Who ate? What have they eaten? What did eating do?

• Example 2:  At the store. 

• Yes???? This specific example is a prepositional phrase with no context, or subject or verb!

• Independent clause (IND)

• Complete thought/sentence: has both the subject and verb. Most often, there is also a predicate = verb + object/how subject is modified

• Example:  I write poetry. We went to the store. Bourdain is sarcastic.

Run-ons: two or independent clauses/complete sentences that you throw together as one, with either the wrong end punctuation or no end punctuation at all!!!!!!!!!!

• Comma Splices (marked on essays as CS): combine two sentences with only a comma=error.

• IND, IND=wrong

• Run-ons/ Fused Sentences (marked on essays as RO): two sentences without a conjunction or punctuation=error
• IND IND

Before You Fix (Edit), I Must Identify Run-ons

• Mark each of your current end punctuations in your draft with a bar:  |  
• Read for the mind pause: mark where your brain understands a complete thought/idea.
• Read out loud for the breath pause: mark where you hear an idea sound finished.

• The above methods are not enough, so you will have to:

• First, look at your extra long sentences and your sentences that have commas in them (because chances are you may have a comma splice!)
• Then, diagram these sentences further for their parts of speech and clauses: 

• Underline the basic subject, if you haven't...
• Circle the verb that goes with it, if you haven't...
• Box in modifiers

• Then, identify where the sentences seems to restart: when the sentence repeats or changes subject from the beginning of the sentence, draw a straight line ( | ) before the restart.

• Besides looking for repeat parts of speech, look for:

• a completely separate "action" is happening...
• a new idea is started...

Five Methods For Fixing Run-ons (Fused and Comma Splices)

To fix, you need to use one of the five methods below to make the two (or more) sentences coordinate with each other or to make one be subordinate. Each method includes at least a punctuation mark that indicates an end to a complete thought:

• period  (  .   ) or exclamation point or question mark   ( ! or ? )
• or semi-colon (   ;   )  between INDs
• or use the  comma and a conjunction rule (  , + FANBOYS)

1. Make Separate Sentences: An easy fix, find where the two sentences are fused or spliced and place period (or ? or !) between the two clauses. Capitalize the subject of the second sentence.

• Example comma splice: Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration, we have enough underfunded programs here on Earth.   

• Fix: Why should we spend money on expensive space exploration? We have enough underfunded programs here on Earth.   

2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction: Another easy fix, find where the second sentence starts and add the comma with the right FANBOYS conjunction.  [Of course, if you have a comma splice, you just need to add the right conjunction after the comma.]

• Example comma splice: Some lesson plans include exercises, completing them should not be the focus of all class periods.

• Fix: Some lesson plans include exercises, but completing them should not be the focus of all class periods.

3. Use a semi-colon to connect two complete thoughts: Also very easy, the function/purpose of a semi-colon is to join two independent clauses/complete sentences. 

• Example fused sentence: Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with the fact of death comedy depicts the adaptability of human society.

• Fix: Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with the fact of death; comedy depicts the adaptability of human society.

4. Use a semi-colon, followed by a conjunctive adverb (a type of transitional word or phrase): More difficult to pull off, though really good to emphasize a relationship between two sentences that are being combined. 

• conjunctive adverb: conjunctive is like conjunction--it means to join, just like a highway junction is the connection of two different routes!

• They are words that imply further action, or a furthering of the idea, such as "thereafter" and "moreover" and "however"

• Example fused sentence:  We ran the race hard we ran to win.

• Fix:   We ran the race hard; moreover, we ran to win. 

5. Turn one of the sentences into the subordinate to the other: The most difficult grammatically for one still getting the hang of sentence structure, but can be worth it for sake of showing a clearer relationship between two ideas.

• One of the independent clauses is turned into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction to the beginning of the original clause. 

• Example: We went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner; we were disappointed.  (How boring is this grammatically correct sentence!?!) 

• Fix: Subordinating one to the other: Although we went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner, we were disappointed. (Edits make this one sentence where one idea takes importance because of the subordinate conjunction.)

***Which method you choose to use to edit the run-on depends on how you want the multiple sentences to coordinate or subordinate. As we have discussed, the method changes your writing style, tone, and how a reader experiences ideas in relationship to each other. In short, your careful consideration is needed to choose the best one for that moment in the essay.