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“If two independent clauses are not separated by the correct punctuation, you have a run-on sentence”
What is a run on?
Run-on sentences happen if you put together two separate ideas without punctuation or a conjunction.
For example:
The researchers compared the samples the difference was not statistically significant.
This has two subject-verb combinations (researchers compared and difference was) but they are not connected with either punctuation (a semi-colon) or a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so etc). The two sentences are therefore a run-on. Simply add in the necessary punctuation/conjunction to put it right:
The researchers compared the samples and/but the difference was not statistically significant.
Or
The researchers compared the samples; the difference was not statistically significant.
| Sentence | Repaired with a semi-colon | Repaired with a conjunction |
| Magpies have been shown to possess awareness of self they removed a mark on their body when presented with a mirror. | Magpies have been shown to possess awareness of self; they removed a mark on their body when presented with a mirror. | Magpies have been shown to possess awareness of self because they removed a mark on their body when presented with a mirror. |
| There are numerous factors that influence the way a wound heals these will be considered. | There are numerous factors that influence the way a wound heals; these will be considered. | There are numerous factors that influence the way a wound heals and these will be considered. |
| Legal precedence was set in Smith v Jones the case illustrated the specific issue of... | Legal precedence was set in Smith v Jones; the case illustrated the specific issue of... | Legal precedence was set in Smith v Jones as the case illustrated the specific issue of... |
