A run-on sentence is another common mistake in writing sentences. Run-on means the sentence went too far; it should have stopped sooner.
Example of a run-on sentence: I bought a new phone it’s really cool.
This is written as one sentence, but there are two separate thoughts in here.
I bought a new phone is one complete thought. It’s really cool is another complete thought.
Each of the complete thoughts has a subject and a verb. The two complete thoughts need to be separated from each other.
Here are three easy ways separate the complete thoughts and fix a run-on sentence:
1. Put a period between the two complete thoughts; make two sentences.
I bought a new phone. It’s really cool.
2. Put a semicolon between the two complete thoughts.
I bought a new phone; it’s really cool.
3. Put a comma, FANBOYS between the two complete thoughts.
I bought a new phone, and it’s really cool.
Be careful to separate complete thoughts in your sentences to avoid run-ons. Use stop punctuation – a period, a semicolon, or a comma, FANBOYS – to end one complete thought and begin another.