Run-on sentences are difficult to read because they combine too many ideas without enough punctuation. Learn four easy strategies for fixing run-on sentences so that your writing is a breeze to read.

(Note: It’s easier to identify run-on sentences if you know about main clauses.)

Another Example

There are meatless options for eating turkey one example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey.

First main clause = There are meatless options for eating turkey

Second main clause = one example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey

Here’s how you can fix this run-on using a period + capital letter:

There are meatless options for eating turkey. One example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey.

You can remember the coordinating conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS. You can also use this mnemonic device: “Scary owls are never far behind you.”

Using the tofurky example above, here’s how you could correct the run-on using a comma + coordinating conjunction:

There are meatless options for eating turkey, and one example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey.

Semicolons are great for connecting main clauses that have related ideas. Here’s how we could fix our tofurky example with a semicolon:

There are meatless options for eating turkey; one example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey.

Sometimes main clauses benefit from a conjunctive adverb to clarify how the ideas go together. Here’s an example of how we could fix the sentence above using a semicolon + conjunctive adverb:

There are meatless options for eating turkey; indeed, one example is tofurky, or tofu loaf made to taste like turkey.

In this example, the conjunctive adverb indeed is used to emphasize or intensify the idea in the second main clause. Additionally, notice how we’ve added a comma after the conjunctive adverb. This is standard punctuation for this construction.

Common Conjunctive Adverbs

accordingly	also	anyway	besides
certainly	consequently	finally	furthermore
hence	however	incidentally	indeed
instead	likewise	meanwhile	moreover
namely	nevertheless	next	nonetheless
now	otherwise	similarly	still
then	therefore	thus	undoubtedly

Adding a subordinating conjunction does two things: First, it clarifies the relationship between the ideas in the main clauses. Next, it turns one main clause into a subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses can be attached to main clauses without punctuation or with a comma. (Main clauses cannot be connected with a comma; that is another kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice!)

For Example

I’m not a vegetarian I’m willing to eat tofurky.

First main clause = I’m not a vegetarian

Second main clause = I’m willing to eat tofurky

Here’s how we can fix this sentence with a subordinating conjunction:

Although I’m not a vegetarian, I’m willing to eat tofurky.

In this example, we’ve added the subordinating conjunction although to the first main clause, thereby turning it into a subordinate clause that acts as an introductory phrase. Next, we’ve added a comma and the second main clause to add the necessary information to complete the thought. 

Here’s another way to fix it:

I’m not a vegetarian even though I’m willing to eat tofurky.

In this example, we’ve added the subordinating conjunction even though in front of the second main clause, thereby making it a subordinate clause. Since the subordinate clause follows the main clause I’m not a vegetarian, we don’t have to add a comma. 

Subordinating Conjunction Examples

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Sentences

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Teacher Resources

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