Sentences and Sentence Structure Errors

The Dreaded “Complete Sentence” To be a complete sentence, a group of words must have three things: 1) A subject (noun or pronoun) 2) A predicate (verb) 3) Express a complete thought If a group of words does not have the above things, or has too many, it commits a sentence structure error. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Sentence Structure Errors There are three types of sentence structure errors: 1) Fragments : Incomplete sentences 2) Run-ons : Too many complete sentences separated with no complete sentences 3) Comma Splices : Too many complete sentences separated with a comma instead of a period

Fragments 1) Fragment: A part of a complete sentence that is punctuated as if it were complete (with a capital letter and a period) Is missing one or more of the following: 1) A subject 2) A verb/predicate 3) A complete thought Why is this bad? Think of it like a partial train car. Without all the parts, it won’t be able to run! A fragment confuses the reader.

Fixing Fragments Since fragments are only a part of a sentence, you have to add the missing piece(s) to make it a complete sentence. Though Bernard likes school. Though Bernard likes school, he rarely does his homework. (complete thought; add independent clause!) Bernard likes school. (eliminate subordinating conjunction) Because of the students’ misbehavior with the substitute. Because of the students’ misbehavior with the substitute, they all received EMI. (add subject, verb, and complete thought)

Run-Ons 2) Run-on: More than one sentence punctuated as a single sentence (The thoughts “run on” without stopping!) Why is this bad? This makes the ideas run together, which can be quite confusing for the reader. Think of it like two train engines crammed together. With that many ideas (engines), you’ll get a runaway train!

Fixing a Run-On To fix a run-on, we have a few options: 1) STOP between sentences. We can do this with various “red light” punctuation: Period and capital letter Semi-colon and lower case letter 2) Connect the separate sentences correctly with the use of the following conjunctions: FANBOYS (with a comma) Subordinating (with a comma sometimes) Correlative (with a comma sometimes) Note: Conjunctive adverbs CANNOT connect two sentences. It can only start a new one. Another Note: A comma alone WILL NOT fix a run-on!

Fixing Run-Ons Darcy can’t stand Theodore he smells like cheese. What are the ways we can stop this runaway train? 1.STOP between the two separate sentences: Darcy can’t stand Theodore; he smells like cheese. Darcy can’t stand Theodore. He smells like cheese.

Fixing Run-Ons 2. CONNECT the separate sentences correctly with the appropriate conjunction: FANBOYS Darcy can’t stand Theodore, for he smells like cheese. Subordinating Darcy can’t stand Theodore because he smells like cheese. Since he smells like cheese, Darcy can’t stand Theodore. Darcy, because he smells like cheese, can’t stand Theodore. Correlative (Doesn’t really work for this example, but here’s something similar.) Not only does Theodore smell like cheese, but he also enjoys cheese as a tasty snack. What about Conjunctive Adverbs? (consequently, therefore, etc.)

Fixing Run-Ons What about Conjunctive Adverbs? (consequently, therefore, etc.) A conjunctive adverb and a comma CANNOT fix a run-on! Darcy can’t stand Theodore, additionally, he smells like cheese. NOOOOOOO! Darcy can’t stand Theodore, moreover, he smells like cheese. NOOOOOOO! All of these are incorrect. In fact, they went from a run-on to another sentence structure error : the comma splice!

Comma Splices 3) Comma Splices: Splitting two independent clauses with only a comma (Placing a comma where there SHOULD be a period) Why is this bad? A comma inserts a brief pause, but this isn’t enough. After the pause, the reader just keeps “running on” to the next thought! This is very confusing for the reader. You must STOP between complete thoughts or use a conjunction to appropriately connect the thoughts. A comma is not enough!

Fixing a Comma Splice To fix a comma splice, we have the same options as a run-on (since it’s essentially the same as a run-on with the addition of a comma): 1) STOP between sentences (instead of pause). Period and capital letter Semi-colon and lower case letter 2) Connect sentences with a conjunction (and comma if necessary) FANBOYS (with a comma) Subordinating (with a comma sometimes) Correlative (with a comma sometimes) Note: Conjunctive adverbs still don’t work!

Fixing Comma Splices Theodore loves Darcy, she smells like cookies. What are the ways we can revise this correctly? 1.STOP between the two separate sentences: Theodore loves Darcy; she smells like cookies. Theodore loves Darcy. She smells like cookies.

Fixing Comma Splices 2. CONNECT the separate sentences correctly with the appropriate conjunction: FANBOYS Theodore loves Darcy, and she smells like cookies. Subordinating Theodore loves Darcy since she smells like cookies. Because she smells like cookies, Theodore loves Darcy. Theodore, because she smells like cookies, loves Darcy. Correlative (Doesn’t really work for this example, but here’s something similar.) Not only does Darcy smell like cookies, but Theodore also loves her. What about Conjunctive Adverbs? (consequently, therefore, etc.)

Fixing Comma Splices What about Conjunctive Adverbs? (consequently, therefore, etc.) A conjunctive adverb and a comma CANNOT fix a comma splice! Theodore loves Darcy, additionally, she smells like cookies. NOOOOOOO! Theodore loves Darcy, moreover, she smells like cookies. NOOOOOOO! All of these are wrong wrong wrong! How can we fix it? Theodore loves Darcy ; additionally, she smells like cookies.

WHITE BOARDS OUT! (Level 0) 5…4…3…2…1

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Decide if the following are examples of fragments, run-ons, comma splices, or complete sentences. Then fix the error using the ways we’ve learned. 1. Because Herald forgot his book. Error? Fragment Revision? Herald lost a preparedness point because he forgot his book. Herald forgot his book. Because Herald forgot his book, he had to buy a new one.

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Herald is not a very good student, he refuses to do his homework. Error? Comma splice Revision? Herald is not a very good student. He refuses to do his homework. Herald is not a very good student ; he refuses to do his homework. Herald is not a very good student, and he refuses to do his homework. Herald is not a very good student since he refuses to do his homework.

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Paul ran then he decided to relax. Error? Run-on Revision? Paul ran. T hen he decided to relax. Paul ran ; then he decided to relax. Paul ran, and then he decided to relax. Because Paul ran, he decided to relax. Paul decided to relax because he ran.

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Paul ran then he decided to relax. Error? Run-on Revision? Paul ran. T hen he decided to relax. Paul ran ; then he decided to relax. Paul ran, and then he decided to relax. Because Paul ran, he decided to relax. Paul decided to relax because he ran.

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Amy went home because she became incredibly sleepy. Error? NONE! Complete sentence! Revision? Despite his lack of patience for people who never meet deadlines. Error? Fragment Revision? Despite his lack of patience for people who never meet deadlines, Roger submitted his term paper late.

Identify the Error…and Fix It! Margaret arrived tardy, therefore, she didn’t have time to finish the quiz. Error? Comma splice Revision? Margaret arrived tardy ; therefore, she didn’t have time to finish the quiz. Margaret arrived tardy, and therefore, she didn’t have time to finish the quiz. Margaret arrived tardy, so she didn’t have time to finish the quiz.

Why does it matter ? WRITING WRITING WRITING! Sentence structure errors and punctuation are not only VERY frequent ACT questions, but also compromise the quality of your writing! Sentence structure errors severely impede (get in the way of) meaning and clarity. They also are not acceptable for college-level writing, yet these concepts are not taught.

The End! …or is it?