Run-Onnnnnnsssss

Q: What's a Run-On?

A: A run-on (a.k.a. a "fused sentence") exists where two or more independent clauses stand side-by-side without intervening punctuation. It's a cozy, but incorrect arrangement. You can practice spotting these offenders by going through a piece of your own prose and underlining every independent clause. See any together without punctuation? Aha! You've nabbed a run-on.
 

Notice that there are several ways to fix each of the following run-ons:

• It rains in April the flowers bloom
• We want to go to the movies we want a baby-sitter.
• We want to go to the movies they are so expensive.

Watch out, too, for a special form of the run-on, known as the "comma-splice". It does have some punctuation between independent clauses: it has a comma. But a comma is not enough!
 
 
• Many flowers are blooming, my allergies will probably get bad.

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Frag
ments

The Rule: A sentence must have a subject and a finite verb (not just a verbal or verbal phrase), and must have at least one clause that isn't subordinated.

 Why are the following fragments? Suggest at least two ways to fix each of them.
 

• Thirty-eight inches tall, bright-eyed, and ready to climb anything.
• Although we will not be home before midnight.
• Running a barber shop out of his garage.
• We always went to my grandmother's on Sunday. To eat spaghetti.

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