Run On Sentences
Now let's learn how to combine independent clauses properly.
Independent Clause PERIOD
The easiest way to combine independent clauses is with a period. This is what you normally do. All THESE sentences are combined with a period.
Independent Clause COMMA + Coordinating Conjunction Independent Clause PERIOD
There are seven coordinating conjunctions, but you only need to use one to combine independent clauses. Make sure you use both a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or you will have written a run on sentence. All of these sentences contain two independent clauses combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction, so these sentences are all examples of this manner of combining independent clauses.
Independent Clause SEMICOLON Independent Clause PERIOD
Independent clauses can also be combined using a semicolon; however, semicolons should not be overused.