Avoid run-on sentences

Run-on sentences are actually two separate sentences that have been joined with a comma instead of a colon, a full stop or a joining word.

Consider the sentence given below:

The camel is an ungainly animal, it has a hump on its back.

This sentence could be rewritten as:

The camel is an ungainly animal; it has a hump on its back.
The camel is an ungainly animal. It has a hump on its back.
The camel is an ungainly animal which has a hump on its back.
The camel is an ungainly animal in that it has a hump on its back.

Correct the run-on sentence given below in four ways.

Magellan was a great navigator, he proved the world was round.

This sentence should be rewritten as:

Magellan was a great navigator. He proved the world was round.
Magellan was a great navigator; he proved the world was round.
Magellan was a great navigator who proved the world was round.
Magellan was a great navigator in that he proved the world was round.

Do not change person when using pronouns

Pronouns belong to three groups:

First person (I, we)
Second person (you)
Third person (He, she, they, it, one, anyone, everyone etc.)

When writing you can use pronouns from each of the three groups, but note that it is wrong to change from one group to another.

Consider the sentence given below:

If you want to be a good singer, one must practice.

This sentence must be rewritten as:

If you want to be a good singer, you must practice.

Another example is given below:

I enjoy walking in the rains, because you feel refreshed afterwards.

This sentence should be written as:

I enjoy walking in the rains because I feel refreshed afterwards.

Use parallel structures

Your writing will become clearer and better if you use structures parallel in construction.

Compare the sentences given below:

Alice likes reading, singing and to paint. (Not parallel)
Alice likes reading, singing and painting. (parallel)

Exercise

Rewrite the following sentences so that the construction would be parallel.

1.    I cleaned the floor, swept the yard and then I cleaned the dishes.

2.    Although I trained hard, practiced everyday and I listened to my teachers, I never passed the entrance examination.

Answers

1.    I cleaned the floor, swept the yard and then cleaned the dishes.
2.    Although I trained hard, practiced everyday and listened to my teachers, I never passed the entrance examination.