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Basic Sentence Construction
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Clause: A group of words containing a subject and verb
Independent clause: a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought Dependent clause: a group of words that include a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought
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Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences
Simple: includes a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought Compound: two independent clauses joined by a coordinator (FANBOYS) Complex: independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
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Commas Compound Sentences: separate independent clauses joined by coordinators Complex Sentences: If a dependent clause starts the sentence, use comma after it—if it ends sentence, do not use comma Separate unessential parts of sentence, not essential parts, i.e. that clauses (relative clauses) After introductory phrases, clauses, etc.
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Avoiding Common Comma Mistakes
Can break sentence into illogical parts and cause confusion Do not place after independent clause that is followed by dependent clause Do not separate subject from verb Do not separate parts of compound predicate (the verbs and its modifiers) Avoid fused sentences, run-ons, and comma splices
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Constructing Better Sentences
Experienced writers use a variety of sentence types to make writing engaging—not too many simple, compound, or complex More succinct sentences: shorter often better Often, complex sentences can be much more engaging Only join two related sentences
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Semicolons Join two closely related independent clauses
Lists in which individual item(s) include commas: The visitors hailed from Los Angeles, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Bowie, Maryland. Conjunctive adverbs Use sparingly
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