1. The“run-on” sentence
In the mind of a new writer, two sentences
crash together…
Billy was sleepy.
He went to bed.

2. Billy was sleepy he went to bed
Now instead of two normal sentences, there
is only one incorrect sentence.
Having lost a period and a capital letter, the
two sentences have become a
dreaded, dangerous “Run-On”!!!

3. Billy was sleepy. He went to bed.
This must not be! Run-On sentences are not
allowed!
But how do we correct it? There are 4 ways:
The first one is to change it back to two
simple sentences like it was before…

4. Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed.
The second way involves the use of a
comma and the joining word “so.”

5. Billy was sleepy; he went to bed.
The third way is to use a semi-colon instead
of a comma, which does away with having
to use the joining word (coordinating
conjunction) at all. Slick, huh?
; = The Super Comma

6. Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.
• The fourth way is by using a dependent
word (subordinating conjunction) and a
comma…

7. Well, students, there you have it…
Remember, Run-On sentences are major no-
nos and must be avoided, so you can…
1) Keep two simple sentences OR
2) Use a comma and a joining word OR
3) Use a semi-colon without a conjunction OR
4) Use a dependent word and a comma.
1)Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.
2)Billy was sleepy, so he went to bed.
3)Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.
4)Because Billy was sleepy, he went to bed.