What is a run on sentence?

Answer 1

The wax on the top shelf in the garage

Answer 2

The wax on the top shelf in the garage

Answer 3

A run-on sentence contains two or more independent clauses (separate subject-predicate pairs) that should be separated by punctuation.

This would be a run-on sentence:

"The dog went outside to chase the cat into the alley he bit its tail when he caught it."

Notice there is no punctuation and the sentence has two distinct clauses. Some may attempt to repair this by adding a comma (after "alley") which does not produce a correct sentence. This is called a "comma splice". (Although sometimes a semi-colon will work.)

To properly repair a run-on sentence, you must either make it two sentences (or more) or add a coordinating conjuction such as and, but, or so. In the above, a comma and the word and after "alley" would correct the sentence.

Another Example

A run-on sentence is a sentence that is made up of two or more complete sentences joined together without a comma and a conjunction.

An example of a run-on sentence:

The movie was late starting it did not start until 8:15.

The correct way: The movie was late. It did not start until 8:15.

Or : The movie was late, and it did not start until 8:15.

Answer 4

The wax on the top shelf in the garage