1. Look for independent clauses:
* An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. For example, "The cat sat on the mat."
* A run-on sentence will have at least two of these.
2. Check for correct connectors:
* Conjunctions: Use words like "and," "but," "or," "so," "yet," "for," "nor," "because," "since," "while," "although," etc. to connect independent clauses.
* Semicolons: Use a semicolon (;) to separate two closely related independent clauses.
* Colon: Use a colon (:) to introduce a list, explanation, or example.
3. Identify the missing punctuation or conjunction:
* If two independent clauses are simply joined together without punctuation or a conjunction, it's a run-on sentence.
Examples:
* Run-on: The dog barked at the mailman the mailman ran away.
* Corrected: The dog barked at the mailman, and the mailman ran away.
* Run-on: I went to the store I bought milk.
* Corrected: I went to the store, and I bought milk.
Tips for identifying run-on sentences:
* Read your writing aloud. If it sounds choppy or awkward, it might be a run-on.
* Look for commas that aren't followed by a conjunction. This is often a sign of a run-on.
* Be mindful of common mistakes, like using a comma splice (two independent clauses separated only by a comma).
If you find a run-on sentence, you can fix it by:
* Adding a conjunction (and, but, etc.)
* Adding a semicolon (;)
* Separating the clauses into two separate sentences
* Using a colon (:) to introduce a list, explanation, or example
By following these steps, you can easily identify and correct run-on sentences in your writing.