B1 Lesson 3: Avoiding Run-on Sentences (Basic Strategies)
You have learned to build compound and complex sentences. Today, we will learn how to fix a very common writing mistake: the run-on sentence1.
Learning to find and fix run-on sentences is a key step to making your writing clear and professional.
What is a Run-on Sentence?
A run-on sentence happens when two or more complete sentences (independent clauses) are joined together without the correct punctuation or connecting word.
Two Types of Run-on Errors
1. Fused Sentence: Two sentences are joined with nothing in between.
Incorrect ❌: My moto is old it is very reliable.
2. Comma Splice: Two sentences are joined with only a comma, which is not strong enough.
Incorrect ❌: My moto is old, it is very reliable.
Three Strategies to Fix a Run-on Sentence
Let's take this run-on sentence and fix it in three correct ways:
Run-on: The coffee was cold, I did not drink it.
Strategy 1: Use a Full Stop (.)
Separate the two ideas into two simple sentences. This is the easiest and safest way to fix the error.
Correct ✅: The coffee was cold. I did not drink it.
Strategy 2: Use a Comma + FANBOYS Conjunction
Create a compound sentence. This shows the relationship between the ideas.
Correct ✅: The coffee was cold, so I did not drink it.
Strategy 3: Make One Clause Dependent
Create a complex sentence using a subordinating conjunction like 'because', 'although', or 'since'.
Correct ✅: Because the coffee was cold, I did not drink it.
✍️ B1 Proofreading Checklist
When you edit your writing, ask yourself:
- ✔️ Does this sentence contain two (or more) complete ideas?
- ✔️ If yes, are they joined correctly with a period, a semicolon, or a comma + conjunction?
- ✔️ If not, it is a run-on sentence, and I need to fix it using one of the three strategies.
🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Run-on
Read the sentences below. Which one is a run-on sentence?
- Although he was late, he still finished the project.
- He was late, but he still finished the project.
- He was late, he still finished the project.
Answer: C is the run-on sentence. It is a "comma splice" because a comma alone cannot join two complete sentences. A and B are both correct.
📝 Homework: Find and Fix
Get your notebook and pen. The paragraph below contains two run-on sentences. Your job is to find them and rewrite the paragraph correctly.
Paragraph with errors:
I enjoy living in Kampot it is a very peaceful city. The people are friendly, they always say hello. In the evening, I like to sit by the river and watch the boats go by. Sometimes I go with my friends we have a great time together.
Hint: The first error is a fused sentence. The second error is a comma splice.
Example Correct Version:
I enjoy living in Kampot. It is a very peaceful city. The people are friendly, so they always say hello. In the evening, I like to sit by the river and watch the boats go by. Sometimes I go with my friends, and we have a great time together.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Run-on Sentence: (Noun) - ប្រយោគបន្ត - Two or more sentences incorrectly joined into one. ↩
- Strategy: (Noun) - យុទ្ធសាស្ត្រ - A plan of action designed to achieve a major or overall aim. ↩
- Proofread / Edit: (Verb) - ការត្រួតពិនិត្យកែសម្រួល - To read and check a piece of writing for errors. ↩
- Fused Sentence: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគរួមបញ្ចូលគ្នា - A type of run-on where two sentences are joined with no punctuation.
- Comma Splice: (Noun) - ក្បៀសខុស - A type of run-on where two sentences are incorrectly joined with only a comma.