How can I figure out how to avoid writing run-on sentences, if I’m not very good at grammar?

Answer 1

Here are a few tips:

1. Keep your sentences short and direct.
2. If you do need to make it longer, use the variety of conjunctions the English language has to offer rather than just 'and' or 'but' which include words like however, though, although, despite, since, while, because, as and before.
3. Learn how to use colons, semi-colons and dashes. Spice up your sentences with these tools which indicate a pause, but not a complete stop like a period or full stop.

Answer 2

The best way is to study dependent clauses, independent clauses, conjunctions, and punctuation (especially periods, commas, and semicolons).

Answer 3

Run-on sentences are arguably the single most frequently occurring error made by students and others in their writing.

Most people find grammatical explanations of run-on sentences difficult to understand and absorb. Here are five simple questions you can use to determine whether a sentence you have written is a run-on:

1. Does the sentence (the words between two periods) have more than one main idea?
2. If I try to read the sentence aloud, am I breathless by the time I finish?
3. Does the sentence have more than one “and” — or “and” and “but” in combination?
4. Can the sentence under consideration be effectively broken down into two or more shorter sentences?
5. Do the resulting shorter sentences sound more focused and forceful?

Many people mistakenly believe that longer, more complicated sentences sound more authoritative than shorter, more direct sentences. They believe that only long, complicated sentences are taken seriously. This is simply not true. With the possible exception of certain types of fiction, all writing, at its best, is simple and direct. To write in this manner, you must learn to first recognize and then eliminate run-on sentences.