My car ran out of gas therefore I was late for my appointment. vs My car ran out of gas. Therefore, I was late for my appointment.

Both phrases are correct, but they serve different purposes. The first phrase is a run-on sentence, while the second phrase correctly uses a period to separate the two independent clauses. The second phrase is the preferred choice for formal writing.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 2808 views

This phrase is grammatically correct but considered a run-on sentence due to the lack of punctuation between the clauses.

"My car ran out of gas therefore I was late for my appointment."

This phrase can be used in informal writing or speech, but it is not recommended for formal writing. It combines two independent clauses without proper punctuation.

Show examples from the web [+]

My car ran out of gas, and then my clothes disappeared from the Laundromat.
My car ran out of gas next to his dorm and he came to my rescue.
I couldn't meet him at the station because my car ran out of gas.
My car ran out of petrol.
Well, you weren't kidding when you said your car ran out of gas.
We were headed to the Thanksgiving day parade when our car ran out of gas about a mile away.
My car ran out of fuel and is 1 km from here
Our car ran out of gas last night and my husband went to go look for a service station,
(Gasps) Katherine's car ran out of brake fluid.
Second time, I ran out of gas.
Look. You ran out of gas.
Our vehicle ran out of gas 20 miles from here.
Must have ran out of gas.
And victim number three ran out of gas.
She ran out of gas on the 599 tonight.
My truck ran out of gas.
That is, until we ran out of gas.
We ran out of gas about a mile up.
I ran out of gas on Sudbury street.
See, my porsche ran out of gas 10 miles back.

Alternatives:

My car ran out of gas, so I was late for my appointment.
Due to my car running out of gas, I was late for my appointment.

This phrase is grammatically correct as it correctly separates the two independent clauses with a period and a comma.

"My car ran out of gas. Therefore, I was late for my appointment."

This phrase is the preferred choice for formal writing as it correctly punctuates the two independent clauses. The period and comma help to improve clarity and readability.

Show examples from the web [+]

I couldn't meet him at the station because my car ran out of gas.
My car ran out of gas, and then my clothes disappeared from the Laundromat.
My car ran out of gas next to his dorm and he came to my rescue.
Well, you weren't kidding when you said your car ran out of gas.
My car ran out of petrol.
Second time, I ran out of gas.
We were headed to the Thanksgiving day parade when our car ran out of gas about a mile away.
My car ran out of fuel and is 1 km from here
Look. You ran out of gas.
Must have ran out of gas.
And victim number three ran out of gas.
My truck ran out of gas.
That is, until we ran out of gas.
I think we ran out of gas.
Used to chase him around the schoolyard till one or the other ran out of gas.
I gave you money yesterday, because you ran out of gas.
Frankie, we got six more meals to deliver, but we ran out of gas.
It's almost been a year since every car on Earth ran out of gas.
My wife and I were driving home from building Nerf playgrounds for autistic children, and we ran out of gas.
I showed one of the new doctors where the Julep was, and then my bike ran out of gas.

Alternatives:

My car ran out of gas. As a result, I was late for my appointment.
My car ran out of gas; therefore, I was late for my appointment.

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My car ran out of gas therefore I was late for my appointment. vs My car ran out of gas. Therefore, I was late for my appointment.

"My car ran out of gas therefore I was late for my appointment."

"My car ran out of gas. Therefore, I was late for my appointment."

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