Here's a breakdown:
* Independent clause: A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence.
* Conjunction: A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., and, but, or).
* Punctuation: Marks like periods (.), commas (,), semicolons (;), and colons (:) that help structure sentences.
Common types of run-on sentences:
* Comma splice: Using only a comma to join two independent clauses.
* *Example:* "The dog barked loudly, the cat ran away."
* Fused sentence: Joining two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction.
* *Example:* "The sun was shining the birds were singing."
Fixing run-on sentences:
* Add a period and start a new sentence.
* *Example:* "The dog barked loudly. The cat ran away."
* Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, for).
* *Example:* "The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away."
* Use a semicolon.
* *Example:* "The dog barked loudly; the cat ran away."
* Use a colon to introduce an explanation or list.
* *Example:* "The cat was scared: the dog was barking loudly."
Key takeaway: Run-on sentences make writing difficult to understand. Using proper punctuation and conjunctions will create clear and grammatically correct sentences.