Writing Effective Sentences

Misplaced Modifiers A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies / describes. Because of the separation, sentences with this error often sound awkward, ridiculous, or confusing. Furthermore, they can be downright illogical.

Misplaced Modifier Example: The dealer sold the Cadillac to the buyer with leather seats. Corrected: The dealer sold to the buyer the Cadillac with leather seats.

Misplaced Modifier Example: The teacher said on Monday she would return our essays. Corrected: 1.On Monday the teacher said she would return our essays. 2.The teacher said she would return our essays on Monday.

Dangling Modifier A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies (i.e. is placed next to). Two notes about dangling modifiers: Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving it to a different place in a sentence. In most cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of the sentence, although it can also come at the end.

Dangling Modifier Example: When nine years old, my mother enrolled in medical school. Corrected: When I was nine years old, my mother enrolled in medical school.

Dangling Modifier Example: Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust. Corrected: As I looked toward the west, I saw a funnel shaped cloud stirring up dust.

Faulty Parallelism Parallelism is a similarity of form in words, phrases, or clauses that have similar functions in a sentence or a paragraph. Faulty parallelism is the lack of parallel structure—it creates sentences without a sense of balance. Readers expect parallel word structures especially when there is some underlying parallelism of meaning. Below are some guidelines for when to use parallelism:

Faulty Parallelism 1. Items in Lists: Words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series should all have the same grammatical structure. (Ex: Erin likes surfing the net, working out, and visiting her family.) 2. Items Joined by Coordinating Conjunctions: Words or phrases joined by coordinating conjunctions should have the same structure. (Ex: Chocolate and peanut butter taste great together.) 3. Elements joined by correlative conjunctions, such as "either... or" and not "only...but also," should be parallel. (Ex: We could go fishing or go bicycling.) 4. Two elements that are compared or contrasted should be expressed in parallel structures. (Ex: I like blue cars as opposed to red cars.)

Faulty Parallelism Wrong: In summer school I studied writing and how to increase my vocabulary. Right: In summer school I studied how to write and how to increase my vocabulary. Wrong: The prisoners were accused of robbery, assault, and forging checks. Right: The prisoners were accused of robbery, assault, and forgery.

Faulty Parallelism Wrong: The superintendent recommended an increase in salaries and that other expenses be decreased. Right: The superintendent recommended that salaries be increased and that other expenses be decreased. Wrong: The new clerk soon proved himself to be not only capable but also a man who could be trusted. Right: The new clerk soon proved himself to be not only capable but also trustworthy.

Concise Sentences Avoid wordiness by eliminating superfluous words and the unnecessary repetition of ideas. Example: The game is played with tiny, little, round balls, which, in my opinion, I think are made of steel. The game is played with tiny balls, which, I think, are made of steel.

Concise Sentences In the article it says that Shakespeare copied many lines from other plays. The article states that Shakespeare copied many lines from other plays. After descending down to the edge of the river, we boarded a small raft which was floating there on the surface of the water. After descending to the edge of the river, we boarded a small raft.

Concise Sentences Avoid wordiness by reducing clauses to phrases and phrases to single words. This process is known as reduction Example: The troops who had been captured were sent to a prison camp. The captured troops were sent to a prison camp.

Varying Sentence Beginnings Many sentences begin with a subject followed by a verb: Ann read the letter. You can use the following methods to vary this type of beginning. Use a single-word modifier: – Happily, Ann read the letter.

Varying Sentence Beginnings Use a phrase: With reluctance, Ann read the letter. Looking expectant, Ann read the letter. To quiet her fears, Ann read the letter. Use a subordinate clause: – Because she couldn’t wait any longer, Ann read the letter.