Question

Read the incorrect sentence. Write three to five sentences explaining what kind of run-on sentence it is and how to revise it.

My mother and father are both scientists, it must have been my destiny to become interested in biology

Answer 1

This is a comma splice — a run-on in which two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Each clause can stand alone ("My mother and father are both scientists." and "It must have been my destiny to become interested in biology."), so the comma is not strong enough to connect them. Fix it by separating them into two sentences, using a semicolon, adding a coordinating conjunction, or making one clause subordinate. For example: "My mother and father are both scientists. It must have been my destiny to become interested in biology." "My mother and father are both scientists; it must have been my destiny to become interested in biology." "Because my mother and father are both scientists, I must have been destined to become interested in biology."