Sentences

Recognize basic sentence elements including subjects and predicates. Differentiate among phrases, dependent clauses, and independent clauses. Understand how to use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Identify four basic sentence patterns. Punctuate statements, questions, commands, and exclamations. Use techniques to avoid three basic sentence faults: fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences.

Sentence Elements

Sentence Sentence: A group of words that: Contains a subject Includes a predicate Expresses a complete thought Subject Completeness Predicate Sentence Elements

Subject Sentence Elements Simple subject: a noun or a pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about Complete subject: includes all modifiers

Four Tips for Locating Subjects To locate a sentence subject, ask Who or what is being discussed? The manager hires all new employees. Who is being discussed? Training programs educate new employees. What is being discussed?

Four Tips for Locating Subjects Ignore prepositional phrases. The manager of the program for all new hires in our division called a meeting. Who is being discussed? Where are the prepositional phrases? Sentences may have multiple subjects. The president, controller, and supervisor gave their approval.

Four Tips for Locating Subjects Reword inverted sentences to locate the subject. Sitting in the front row is Rachel. Who is being discussed? Reword: Rachel is sitting in the front row. Did any other candidates qualify? Reword: Other candidates did qualify?

Predicate Sentence Elements Simple predicate: a verb or verb phrase that tells or asks what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject Complete predicate: includes modifiers, objects, and complements

In this sentence what is the Simple subject? Complete subject? Simple predicate? Complete predicate? manager (simple subject) A manager from ComStar (complete subject) has been calling (simple predicate) has been calling you (complete predicate) A manager from ComStar has been calling you.

Completeness Sentence Elements In addition to having subjects and predicates, sentences must be complete. Examples: Two technology companies merged. (This sentence has a subject and a predicate and is complete.) Which explains the jump in stock price. (This fragment, broken off from another sentence, is incomplete and doesn’t make sense.)

Recognizing Phrases and Clauses Complete Sentences Clauses Phrases Phrase: a group of related words WITHOUT a subject and a verb Kim came to the interview in the morning. She had been told to arrive at 10 a.m. (These sentences have five different phrases. Can you find them?)

Recognizing Phrases and Clauses Complete Sentences Clauses Phrases Clause: a group of related words WITH a subject and a verb Independent clauses can stand alone. Dependent clauses rely on independent clauses for their meaning. Cannot stand alone. When she arrived, she introduced herself. If she was afraid, she didn’t show it. (Which clauses are independent? Dependent?)

Sentence Varieties

Four Sentence Varieties Simple sentence: has one independent clause―that is, one clause that can stand alone Compound sentence: has two or more independent clauses. Each interviewee sent a résumé. Kim spent many hours preparing her résumé, and she practiced her answers to typical interview questions.

Four Sentence Varieties Complex sentence: has one independent clause and one dependent clause When Kim arrived for the interview, she introduced herself to the receptionist. Compound-complex sentence: has two or more independent clauses and one dependent clause Because she had prepared well, Kim felt confident; she answered all questions fully and enthusiastically.

Sentence Patterns

This is the most basic sentence pattern The subject is followed by its verb. Pattern No. 1: Subject-Verb EXAMPLES Charlie called. She is working. All employees work.

Subject-Action Verb-Object Pattern No. 2: Subject-Action Verb-Object The subject is followed by an action verb and its direct object. The object usually answers the questions What? and Whom? EXAMPLES ComStar created an Instagram account. A law office hired her.

Pattern No. 3: Subject-Linking Verb-Complement The subject is followed by a linking verb and its complement. Complement Noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject Completes the meaning of the subject

Complement Examples Pattern No. 3: Subject-Linking Verb-Complement Our receptionist is Patricia. (Noun complement) The winner of the award is he. (Pronoun complement) Their website is attractive. (Adjective complement)

Verbs may occasionally precede subjects. Pattern No. 4: Inverted Order Verbs may occasionally precede subjects. EXAMPLES Chairing the committee is Renee Cornell. There are three items we should discuss. Here is my business card.

Rearrange these inverted sentences to place them in normal subject-verb order. Cathy Formusa is serving on the task force. We are considering two candidates for the position. Your authorization form is here. Serving on the task force is Cathy Formusa. There are two candidates we are considering for the position. Here is your authorization form.

Sentence Punctuation

Exclamations Commands Questions Statements Punctuating Four Sentence Types

Statements Punctuating Statements: make assertions and end with periods Many companies now use social media for marketing and communication.

Questions Punctuating Questions: concluded by question marks Can you avoid social media while on vacation?

Commands Punctuating Commands: end with periods or, occasionally, with exclamation points Log out at the end of the day. (The subject is understood to be you.)

Exclamations Punctuating Exclamations: show surprise, disbelief, or strong feelings Oh, no! I made a huge mistake!

Name the subject. (Hint: you might identify two subjects.) What is this group of words? One of my friends and I are preparing for job interviews . Name the subject. (Hint: you might identify two subjects.)  Statement  Question  Command  Exclamation 

! What is this group of words? Wow! What a presentation  Statement  Question  Command  Exclamation 

? Name the subject. What is this group of words? Why do you want to work for our organization ? Name the subject.  Statement  Question  Command  Exclamation 

. Name the subject. you (implied) What is this group of words? Prepare for your interview by practicing success stories . Name the subject.  Statement  Question  Command  Exclamation you (implied) 

. Name the subject. What is this group of words? I wonder about the validity of the proposal . Name the subject.  Statement  Question  Command  Exclamation 

Sentence Faults

Fragment Run-on Sentence Comma Splice Three Sentence Faults

Fragment Sentence Faults Fragment: An incomplete sentence Should not be punctuated as if it were complete May be broken off from a preceding or following sentence

Comma Splice Sentence Faults Comma Splice: when two complete sentences are incorrectly joined with a comma

Run-on Sentence Sentence Faults Run-on Sentence: when two complete thoughts are run together

Fragment Fixing Sentence Faults Fragment Remedy Because we have all come to depend on texting. That’s why we must find a solution. Remedy Because we have all come to depend on texting, we must find a solution.

Comma Splice Fixing Sentence Faults Comma Splice Remedies Text messaging is popular, it’s even used in offices. Remedies Text messaging is popular. It’s even used in offices. Text messaging is popular; it’s even used in offices. Text messaging is popular, and it’s even used in offices.

Run-on Sentence Fixing Sentence Faults Run-On Remedies Text messaging was once used by teenagers now it’s also used by business professionals. Remedies Text messaging was once used by teenagers; now it’s also used by business professionals. Text messaging was once used by teenagers. Now it’s also used by business professionals. Text messaging was once used by teenagers, but now it’s also used by business professionals.

Remedy: Identify any faults in this sentence and suggest remedies. Unless I hear from you to the contrary. I’ll assume you agree with me. Unless I hear from you to the contrary, I'll assume you agree with me.  Fragment  Comma splice  Run-on 

Remedy: Identify any faults in this sentence and suggest remedies. No stock market prices were available, the market was closed for the holiday. No stock market prices were available; the market was closed for the holiday.  Fragment  Comma splice  Run-on 

Remedy: Identify any faults in this sentence and suggest remedies. The report you said you would finish by yesterday. It’s still lying on your desk. The report you said you would finish by yesterday is still lying on your desk.  Fragment  Comma splice  Run-on 

Remedy: Identify any faults in this sentence and suggest remedies. Some employees work Sunday other employees come in early Monday. Some employees work Sunday; other employees come in early Monday.  Fragment  Comma splice  Run-on 

“Of all the arts in which the wise excel, nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.” – André Breton, French writer/poet (1896-1966)