Here are the key characteristics of run-on sentences:
* Two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) joined together without proper punctuation.
* Lack of conjunctions (words like "and", "but", "or", "so") to connect the clauses.
* Can be difficult to read and understand due to the lack of pauses and breaks.
Examples of run-on sentences:
* I went to the store I bought some milk. (No punctuation or conjunction)
* The cat sat on the mat and then it jumped off. (No punctuation between clauses)
* The dog was hungry he ate all the food. (No conjunction to connect the clauses)
How to fix run-on sentences:
* Add a period (.) to separate the clauses into two distinct sentences.
* Add a comma (,) and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet) to connect the clauses.
* Use a semicolon (;) to separate closely related clauses.
* Use a dash (-) to create a dramatic pause between clauses.
Corrected examples:
* I went to the store. I bought some milk.
* The cat sat on the mat, and then it jumped off.
* The dog was hungry, so he ate all the food.
Understanding and avoiding run-on sentences is crucial for clear and concise writing. By correctly punctuating and connecting clauses, you can create sentences that are easy to read and understand.