By Suzann Connell
Keywords: proofreading, sentences, commas, run-on sentences
A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined together incorrectly. It's simple to detect the independent clauses because they are complete sentences that contain both a noun and a verb.
When proofreading written work for run-on sentences, isolate the two independent clauses and observe what separates them. You may find a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) or a comma. You have choices on how to repair run-on sentences, but your first proofreading task is to confirm that you have two independent clauses in one sentence.
Remedy One: Separate the two independent clauses to form two complete sentences. Take a look at the following run-on sentence:
- He built a perfect model car but he didn't win the award.
These two independent clauses could stand alone as complete sentences:
- He built a perfect model car.
- He didn't win the award.
Remedy Two: Place a comma before the conjunction to separate the independent clauses. Take a look at the following run-on sentence:
- She planted flowers in every alcove and she watered them each day.
To remedy this run-on sentence, place a comma before the conjunction:
- She planted flowers in every alcove, and she watered them each day.
Remember to place the comma before the conjunction that joins the two independent clauses.
Remedy Three: Replace a comma that joins two independent clauses with a semi-colon. Take a look at the following sentence that contains a comma splice. A comma splice is similar to a run-on sentence, because it occurs when you find two independent clauses joined together incorrectly. With a comma splice, however, the independent clauses are joined only with a comma.
- The piano player amazed me, I wanted to listen for hours.
To remedy this comma splice, place a semi-colon between the two independent clauses:
- The piano player amazed me; I wanted to listen for hours.
Remedy Four: Use a subordinating conjunction (after, while, although, before, as, because, unless, even though, if, since, until, when) as an additional remedy. Take a look at the following comma splice sentence:
- Chris and Bob jog every day, I do not.
To remedy this comma splice, place a subordinating conjunction before one of the independent clauses:
- Although Chris and Bob jog every day, I do not.
Remedy Five: Replace the comma with a semi-colon and add a transitional word or transitional phrase -- however, as a result, nevertheless, otherwise, instead, also, therefore and consequently. Take a look at the following comma splice sentence:
- I thought proofreading was difficult, I was wrong.
To remedy this coma splice, place a semi-colon after the first independent clause, followed by a transitional word and then a comma:
- I thought proofreading was difficult; however, I was wrong.
The key to successful proofreading is to pay attention to sentence mechanics.
Suzann Connell is a freelance curriculum developer, writer and editor. She resides in Southern California where she earned her Master's Degree in Education and Technology from Pepperdine University.
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