A run-on sentence is a grammar mistake where two or more complete sentences are joined together without any correct punctuation or connecting words. It's similar to a comma splice, but it's an even bigger error because there isn't even a comma to separate the two ideas.
Think of it as two separate trains that have crashed into each other because they didn't have any signals or tracks to keep them apart.
A run-on sentence happens when you have two independent clauses (complete sentences) and you just put them one after another.
Sentence 1 (independent clause) + Sentence 2 (independent clause) = Run-On Sentence
Here are some examples of run-on sentences, followed by three correct ways to fix each one.
Example 1:
Run-On: My sister loves to cook she makes delicious pasta.
Why it's wrong: "My sister loves to cook" is a complete sentence, and so is "she makes delicious pasta." They cannot be smashed together without punctuation.
How to Fix It:
Method 1 (Use a period): My sister loves to cook. She makes delicious pasta.
Method 2 (Use a semicolon): My sister loves to cook; she makes delicious pasta.
Method 3 (Use a conjunction): My sister loves to cook, and she makes delicious pasta.
Example 2:
Run-On: I finished my homework I went to bed early.
Why it's wrong: Two complete thoughts are joined together without a proper connector.
How to Fix It:
Method 1 (Use a period): I finished my homework. I went to bed early.
Method 2 (Use a semicolon): I finished my homework; I went to bed early.
Method 3 (Use a conjunction): I finished my homework, so I went to bed early.