Final answer:
A run-on sentence happens when two or more independent clauses are joined improperly without correct punctuation or coordinating conjunctions. They can be fixed by adding periods, semicolons, or conjunctions to clearly separate the ideas or by restructuring the sentence into a complex sentence with subordinate clauses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are connected improperly. This happens when there's no punctuation separating the clauses or when a comma is used without a coordinating conjunction. For instance, the sentence 'College students have the opportunity to choose any major they tend to choose those that offer immediate opportunities to earn money when they graduate' is a run-on because it contains two separate ideas without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
To fix a run-on sentence, you can employ several methods such as:
- Adding a period to break the sentences into two or more separate sentences.
- Using a semicolon if the clauses are closely related.
- Employing a comma with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- Incorporating a subordinate clause using words like although, because, or since to make one clause dependent on the other.
- Adding a semicolon and a transitional word or phrase to better connect the ideas.
Editing for more effective sentences requires an understanding of how to balance the length and structure of sentences to maintain clarity while conveying the desired message.