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A run-on sentence is one that contains two or more independent clauses (simple sentences) that are not properly connected.
There are two main types of run-on: the fused run-on and the comma splice. A few sources identify a third kind of run-on, sometimes called the and run-on.
In a fused run-on, the clauses are run together without anything to connect them:
In a comma splice, the clauses are joined incorrectly with a comma:
(The use of a comma alone between independent clauses is correct only if the clauses are short and parallel: John saved, Tara spent.)
The comma splice is especially common when a conjunctive adverb (however, in addition, therefore, etc.) appears between the two clauses:
In an and run-on, the clauses are incorrectly joined by one of the coordinating conjunctions alone, without a comma:
There are several ways to correct a run-on sentence. You can try one of the following solutions.
Separate the two clauses with a period:
Join the two clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so):
Join the two clauses with a semicolon (and a conjunctive adverb if it improves the flow of ideas):
Make one of the clauses into a dependent word group (such as a dependent clause or a phrase):
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