Run-On Sentences
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.
Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.
There are two complete sentences in the above example:
Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.
You can correct a run-on sentence by connecting its parts correctly. There are several easy ways to connect independent clauses.
Correcting Run-On Sentences
1. Use a period. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller sentences using a period.
Example: I love to write papers. I would write one every day if I had the time.
2. Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a grammatically correct sentence.
Example: I love to write papers; I would write one every day if I had the time.
3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or or), will correct a run-on sentence.
Example: I love to write papers, and I would write one every day if I had the time.
4. Use a subordinating conjunction. A subordinating conjunction (such as because, unless, and although) can connect two independent clauses in a different way.
Example: Because I love to write papers, I would write one every day if I had the time.
Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment occurs when a sentence is missing either a subject (usually a noun) or a predicate (the sentence's action).
Example: Shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.
The sentence above is a fragment, since there is no subject (Who shows no improvement?). Fragments can be corrected by identifying the missing element and including it.
Example: The patient shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.
Here is an example of a fragment with a missing predicate, or action:
Example: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that contributed to the body of knowledge in their fields, which was obstetrics.
Notice here that although the sentence is quite long, it still contains no action (What are the doctors doing?). Once identified, the sentence can be corrected easily.
Example: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that contributed to the body of knowledge in their field, improved their knowledge of obstetrics.
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