San Juan College Student Success Center Writing Center

Sentence Structure 101Run-ons: Fused SentencesSan Juan Colleges Student Success Centers Writing Center is only offering suggestions or ideas to improve papers. These are not algebraic formulas that must be followed. The final decision is up to the writer.

A fused sentence combines two statements, which make sense when independently stated and are grammatically correct (these are called independent clauses), without an appropriate conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or punctuation mark.

Incorrect:Gambling is like a drug after a while a gambler finds it impossible to stop. Correct: Gambling is like a drug. After a while a gambler finds it impossible to stop.

Incorrect:First I would replace the foundation then I would add another story.Correct:First I would replace the foundation; then I would add another story.

Checking to see if a Sentence is Fused

Fused sentences can be easily corrected by asking yourself these questions.

Do I stop after the first independent clause?

Is there a way to break this sentence up into two sentences?

If the answer is yes then it is a fused sentence. There are at least five ways of fixing fused sentences.

Correcting Fused Sentences

Put a period where the two independent clauses meet.

Example:Many people are afraid of computers they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic tasks.Many people are afraid of computers. They do not realize how easy it is to learn basic tasks

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Put a semicolon where the two independent clauses meet.

Example:It is hope that keeps people going hope keeps people alive.It is hope that keeps people going; hope keeps people alive.

Put a conjunction where the two independent clauses meet.

Example:It was the congregation that has gone mad over why the parson had covered his face with a black veil it is Parson Hooper that didnt like the masks he saw on his congregation.It was the congregation that has gone mad over why the parson had covered his face with a black veil, and it is Parson Hooper that didnt like the masks he saw on his congregation.

Reword the sentence.

Example:Charles Babbage also tired to solve navigational equations by using a 25,000 component machine he was one of the first to try this.

Charles Babbage was one of the first to try to solve navigational equations by using a 25,000 component machine

Make one section of sentence dependent on the other (known as a subordinating one clause to make it a dependent clause) to create a complex sentence.

Example: Many people are afraid of computers they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic tasks.

Many people are afraid of computers because they do not realize how easy it is to learn basic tasks.