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Continuous sentences in English
Do you know what a run sentence is in English? You may be writing a lot of running sentences. Let’s understand what a run sentence is in English.
What is a run-on sentence in English?
Running sentence definition: A running sentence in English, also known as a merged sentence, occurs when two sentences are joined without correct punctuation. It is a grammatical error that must be corrected using the correct punctuation (periods, semicolons, commas with coordinating conjunction and colon).
Continuous sentences are not only written by non-native English speakers, they are also written by native English speakers. It’s such a common mistake that people often ignore it or go unnoticed.
Different types of run-on sentences in English
1. Two sentences joined without any punctuation.
This is the first type of running sentence. Here, two sentences are joined without using any punctuation marks.
I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
This is an example of a run sentence. Here, two sentences are joined without punctuation.
Sentence 1: I love watching horror movies.
Sentence 2: They keep me on my toes.
2. Two sentences joined by a comma.
Here, two sentences are joined by a comma, which is wrong, and that’s why it’s considered a run-on sentence. This bug is called“comma splice“in English.
You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
This sentence has two complete sentences:
Sentence 1: You must watch the movie that I watched last night
Sentence 2: it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
3. When two sentences are joined by using a transitional word (however, nonetheless, furthermore, moreover) and commas.
I really want to buy this car, however, this is not the right time to do it.
This phrase looks good, doesn’t it? But we can’t add two sentences using a transition word and commas. We’ll see the fixes in a moment.
How to correct a run-on sentence in English?
1. Use a period (full stop).
The easiest way to correct a run-on sentence in English is to use a period and separate the joined sentences.
Run-on sentence examples:
- I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car, however, this is not the right time to do it.
Corrections:
- I love watching horror movies. They keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night. It is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car. However, this is not the right time to do it.
or - I really want to buy this car; however, this is not the right time to do it.
Nota: cuando comience una oración con palabras de transición, use una coma después, como hicimos en el último ejemplo.
2. Use a semicolon and join two sentences.
When two sentences are closely related, we can join them using a semicolon. But keep in mind that we won’t just add two sentences together if they are closely related to each other.
Run-on sentence examples:
- I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car, however, this is not the right time to do it.
Corrections:
- I love watching horror movies; they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night; it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car; however, this is not the right time to do it.
Observe que en las tres oraciones, ambas cláusulas independientes están relacionadas entre sí y hablan de una cosa en particular.
The first example focuses on the noun ‘movies‘.
The second example focuses on the noun ‘movie‘.
The third example focuses on the action of buying a car,.
3. Use a coordinating conjunction to add two sentences.
Coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
Using a coordinating conjunction to add two sentences is a great way. It is probably the most common way to add sentences when they are related.
Run-on sentence examples:
- I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car, however, this is not the right time to do it.
Corrections:
- I love watching horror movies, for they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, for it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
- I really want to buy this car, but this is not the right time to do it.
Nota: Cuando agregue dos oraciones usando una conjunción coordinante, use una coma antes de la conjunción.
4. Use a colon.
Use a colon to join two sentences when the second sentence justifies, summarizes, or explains the first, or when the focus is on the second.
Run-on sentence examples:
- I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
Corrections:
- I love watching horror movies: they keep me on my toes.
(The second sentences justifies the first one. It tells us why I love watching horror movies.)
I love watching horror movies. WHY?
Reason: They keep me on my toes.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night: it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
(In this sentence as well, the second one justifies the first statement.)
You must watch the movie that I watched last night. WHY?
Reason: It is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
5. Use a subordinating conjunction.
One more way to correct a running sentence is to use a subordinate conjunction at the beginning of a sentence and change it to a dependent clause.
Run-on sentence examples:
- I love watching horror movies they keep me on my toes.
- I really want to buy this car, this is not the right time to do it.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night, it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
Corrections:
- I love watching horror movies because they keep me on my toes.
- Thought this is not the right time to do it, I really want to buy this car.
or - Even if this is not the right time to do it, I really want to buy this car.
- You must watch the movie that I watched last night since it is one of the best movies I have ever watched.
Nota: Cuando coloque la cláusula dependiente antes de la cláusula independiente (oración), use una coma después de ella.
- Since it is one of the best movies I have ever watched, you must watch the movie that I watched last night.
More examples of run-on sentences in English
- You look amazing, everyone is going to look at you.
- She should go home it is getting late.
- The coffee was extremely hot I got my hands burnt.
- The class is over, you can leave.
Corrections:
You look amazing, everyone is going to look at you.
Corrections:
You look amazing. Everyone is going to look at you.
You look amazing; everyone is going to look at you.
You look amazing, and everyone is going to look at you.
You look amazing as everyone is going to look at you.
She should go home it is getting late.
Corrections:
She should go home. It is getting late.
She should go home; it is getting late.
She should go home, for it is getting late.
She should go home since it is getting late.
She should go home: it is getting late.
The coffee was extremely hot I got my hands burnt.
Corrections:
The coffee was extremely hot. I got my hands burnt.
The coffee was extremely hot, and I got my hands burnt.
The coffee was extremely hot; I got my hands burnt.
I got my hands burnt as the coffee was extremely hot.
I got my hands burnt: the coffee was extremely hot.
The class is over, you can leave.
Corrections:
The class is over. You can leave.
The class is over; you can leave.
The class is over, so you can leave.
You can leave as the class is over.
You can leave: the class is over.
