Fused (Run-On) Sentences 

Overview

A fused sentence (also called a run-on sentence) happens when two complete sentences are joined together with no punctuation or connecting word. Readers get confused because the ideas crash into each other without a clear break. Luckily, fixing fused sentences is simple—you just need punctuation or a joining word to show where one thought ends and the next begins.

Spotting a fused sentence

Fused sentences often look long and confusing, but length isn’t the real problem—it’s the lack of punctuation or connectors.

Fused: I love reading I can finish a novel in one day.

Corrected: I love reading. I can finish a novel in one day.

Fix with a Period

One easy way to fix a fused sentence is to separate the ideas into two sentences with a period.

Fused: The game was exciting the crowd cheered loudly.

Corrected: The game was exciting. The crowd cheered loudly.

Fix with a semicolon

If the ideas are closely related, you can use a semicolon instead of a period.

Fused: I have soccer practice I still need to finish my homework.

Corrected: I have soccer practice; I still need to finish my homework.

Fix with a comma and coordinating conjunction

A coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can connect two sentences if you add a comma before it.

Fused: I wanted to go to the concert I didn’t have enough money.

Corrected: I wanted to go to the concert, but I didn’t have enough money.

Fix by restructuring into one sentence

Sometimes you can combine the two ideas into a single, clear sentence with no extra punctuation.

Fused: She studied all night she still didn’t pass the test.

Corrected: Even though she studied all night, she still didn’t pass the test.

Summary 

A fused sentence isn’t about being long—it’s about two complete thoughts jammed together without the right punctuation or connector. You can fix them with a period, semicolon, comma + conjunction, or by rephrasing.