A fused sentence (or run-on) occurs when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation or without a coordinating conjunction.
Fused sentence: Independent clause independent clause. At first I wanted to be a doctor now I don't.
Some easy ways to correct a fused sentence are as follows:
1. Add a period after the first independent clause and capitalize the next word. (IC. IC)
At first I wanted to be a doctor. Now I don't.
2. Add a semicolon after the first independent clause. (IC; IC) At first I wanted to be a doctor; now I don't.
3. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction after the first independent clause. (IC, CC IC)
At first I wanted to be a doctor, but now I don't.
Directions: For each sentence below, write FS if it is a fused sentence or C if it is correct.
____ 1. Many young athletes want to play for professional leagues few actually succeed.
____ 2. I lost my train of thought did you find it?
____ 3. Laura was exhausted from hours of study however she made it to class on time.
____ 4. Dolphins have killed sharks they never attack humans.
____ 5. The shrimp was served with its
head still on as a result, Mary lost her appetite.
l
____ 6. Mary's sister, however, ate the shrimp anyway.
____ 7. In later years, Mary developed a shrimp allergy, but her sister still enjoys shrimp.
____ 8. The roads were covered with ice therefore school was cancelled.
____ 9. The typewriter hummed loudly; consequently, I turned it off.
____10. If you understand what a fused sentence is, you will be able to proofread for them in your papers then you will be less likely to make such a mistake.