Basic Terms Sentence Structure

Basic Terms Clause—subject plus verb and everything else that’s necessary (that is, the subject and the predicate). Every complete sentence has an independent clause. Phrase—a noun and its modifiers, a preposition and its objects, etc. Not a complete sentence.

Proofreader’s Terms Run-on Fused sentences Comma splice (or fault) Correct by punctuating or revising The company is doing well, however, we need to plan for future growth. Two or more sentences run together, needing appropriate end punctuation (such as a period or semicolon) The company is doing well. However, we need to plan for future growth.

Proofreader’s Terms Frag or fragment, incomplete sentence Correct by adding something. Standing by his bicycle, holding his ice cream. Because we arrived too late to get into the theatre. Sentence is missing something. Standing by his bicycle, holding his ice cream, the boy looked very happy. Because we arrived too late to get into the theatre, we went home.