Sentence problems: run-on sentences
Here we list some of the most common problems in sentence structure in formal English. The five main types of problems are 1) agreement problems, 2) sentence fragments, 3) run-on sentences and comma splices, 4) 'stringy' sentences, and 5) problems related to relative clauses.
Run-on sentences occur when a complete sentence is directly followed by another complete sentence, as in example (7a), or when two complete sentences are separated with only a comma, as in examples (8a) and (9a) (this is often called a comma ‘splice’). Note especially how punctuation is used with phrases like see Table 2 (examples 9b–9e).
Incorrect:
(7a) Engineering was not something that interested me academically however that changed two years ago when I was first introduced to the Python programming language.
Correct (suggestions):
(7b) Engineering was not something that interested me academically; however, that changed two years ago when I was first introduced to the Python programming language.
(7c) Engineering was not something that interested me academically. However, that changed two years ago when I was first introduced to the Python programming language.