Follow the steps in each example to determine whether the sentence is a run-on or not.
Humans have been fascinated by time travel at least since the days of H. G. Wells, Einstein's theories took the notion out of the realm of science fiction.
Step 1. The sentence contains more than one independent clause.
Step 2. The independent clauses are as follows: Humans have been fascinated by time travel at least since the days of H. G. Wells, | Einstein's theories took the notion out of the realm of science fiction.
Step 3. Fix the run-on by changing the punctuation or the conjunction: Humans have been fascinated by time travel at least since the days of H. G. Wells. Einstein's theories took the notion out the realm of science fiction.
One of Wells's most famous novels was The Time Machine it introduced Victorian society to the fascination of time travel.
Step 1. The sentence contains more than one independent clause.
Step 2. The independent clauses are as follows: One of Wells's most famous novels was The Time Machine | it introduced Victorian society to the fascination of time travel.
Step 3. Fix the run-on by changing the punctuation or the conjunction: One of Wells's most famous novels was The Time Machine; it introduced Victorian society to the fascination of time travel.
Einstein declared time to be the fourth dimension, suddenly physicists began to think of traveling in time as they thought of traveling through space.
Step 1. The sentence contains more than one independent clause.
Step 2. The independent clauses are as follows: Einstein declared time to be the fourth dimension, | suddenly physicists began to think of traveling in time as they thought of traveling through space.
Step 3. Fix the run-on by changing the punctuation or the conjunction: Einstein declared time to be the fourth dimension, and suddenly physicists began to think of traveling in time as they thought of traveling through space.
The laws of physics don’t include anything to indicate that time travel is impossible; the possibility calls into question the foundations of physics.
Step 1. The sentence contains more than one independent clause.
Step 2. The independent clauses are as follows: The laws of physics don’t include anything to indicate that time travel is impossible; | the possibility calls into question the foundations of physics.
Step 3. The independent clauses are already separated by a semicolon, so this is not a run-on sentence.
On the one hand, time travel should be theoretically possible; on the other, the implications of time travel upset the laws of physics.
Step 1. The sentence contains more than one independent clause.
Step 2. The independent clauses are as follows: On the one hand, time travel should be theoretically possible; | on the other, the implications of time travel upset the laws of physics.
Step 3. The independent clauses are already separated by a semicolon, so this is not a run-on sentence.
