run-on sentences
Missing period errors
Run-on sentences are sentences that improperly join two or more independent clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.
The term is slightly misleading—length isn't the issue.
A short sentence can be a run-on if it fuses separate thoughts: I love you let's get married.
The fix is usually a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
Run-on is also used loosely for any sentence that rambles on too long.
Long-winded and unfocused
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- overwrittenReplaced with new data
- prolixExcessively wordy in speech
- verboseMore words than necessary
lengthy · cumbersome · overloaded · bloated · padded · meandering · digressive · long-winded
Lacking systematic arrangement
- tangledTwisted confusedly together
- convolutedExcessively complex or twisted
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
messy · cluttered · unstructured · stream-of-consciousness · sprawling · unwieldy · labyrinthine · nested
Causing mental uncertainty
- unclearNot easily understood
- muddledIn a confused state
- foggyObscured by vapor
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
disjointed · incomprehensible · bewildering · opaque · rereading
Lacking grammatical marks
rambling
Long-winded and unfocused
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- overwrittenReplaced with new data
- prolixExcessively wordy in speech
verbose · lengthy · cumbersome · overloaded · bloated · padded · meandering · digressive · long-winded · exhausting
disorganized
Lacking systematic arrangement
- tangledTwisted confusedly together
- convolutedExcessively complex or twisted
- jumbledDisordered, lacking arrangement
chaotic · messy · cluttered · unstructured · stream-of-consciousness · sprawling · unwieldy · labyrinthine · nested · complex
confusing
Causing mental uncertainty
ambiguous · disjointed · incomprehensible · bewildering · opaque · rereading
unpunctuated
Lacking grammatical marks
- grammar practicegrammar worksheets, grammar games, verb conjugation, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement
- grammar resourcesgrammar books, grammar guides, grammar rules, grammar exercises, grammar drills
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, cliche
- writingwriting, drafting, authors, author, books
- punctuationperiod, comma, colon, apostrophe, semicolon
- readability problemslow contrast, wall of text, blurry text, faded print
run-on sentencessentence fragments
Phrases missing essential elements
fragments · incomplete sentences · subordinate clauses · dependent clauses · phrases
runner, running, sentence, runs, sentences, sententious, run-on, run-on sentence