GRAMMAR REVIEW Sentence Structure

Sentence Errors: Fragments  Fragments are incomplete sentences.  Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause.  Consider especially groups of words that begin with although, because, if, after, during, etc.

Examples of Fragments  Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.  Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving her team at a time when we needed her.  I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well.

Compound Sentence Errors  Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly.

Revising Compound Sentence Errors  1. Join the two independent clauses with one of the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet), and use a comma before the connecting word.  When you do not have a connecting word (or when you use a connecting word other than and, but, for, or nor, so, or yet between the two independent clauses) use a semicolon (;).  Separate them into two or more independent clauses.

Rambling Sentences  Rambling sentences are sentences that may be punctuated correctly.  However, they have three or more coordinating conjunctions that confuse the meaning of the sentence.  He ran toward his friend, and he was excited to see him, yet he was suspicious, so he ran the opposite way.

Practice  The sun is high, put on some sun block.  Although I have some good ideas, the leaders did not want to listen.  Which is why we believe the proposed amendments should be passed.  Mr. Nguyen has sent his four children to ivy-league colleges, however, he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty bakery.

Simple Sentences  This pattern is an example of a simple sentence: Independent clause [. ]  Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.

Compound Sentences  This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction: Independent clause [, ] coordinating conjunction independent clause [. ]  There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.  Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, but they don't know the reasons for it.

Compound Sentences  This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a semicolon. Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [. ]  Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; they are unsure of its cause.

Compound Sentences  This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with an independent marker. Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [, ] independent clause [. ]  Examples of independent markers are the following: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also.  Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called for more research into its causes.

Clues: Dependent Marker Word  A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.  When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.  Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Complex Sentences  This pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker. Dependent marker dependent clause[, ] Independent clause[. ]  Example: Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they have called for more research into its causes.

Complex Sentences  This pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker. Independent clause dependent marker dependent clause [. ]  Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma because it is a common, treatable illness.

Complex Sentences  This pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded non-essential clause or phrase First part of an independent clause [, ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [. ]  A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence or making it ungrammatical. In other words, the non-essential clause or phrase gives additional information, but the sentence can stand alone without it.  Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and family practice physicians, are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.

Complex Sentences  This pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded essential clause or phrase First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [. ]  An essential clause or phrase is one that cannot be removed without changing the overall meaning of the sentence.  Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma have called for more research into its causes.

Practice  Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.  I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station.  Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.  Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left on the bus.  Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.  Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.