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

Fragments1) 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 subject2) A verb/predicate3) 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-Ons2) 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-OnTo 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-OnsDarcy 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-Ons2. CONNECT the separate sentences correctly with the appropriate conjunction:

FANBOYSDarcy can’t stand Theodore, for he smells like cheese.

SubordinatingDarcy 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-OnsWhat 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 Splices3) 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 SpliceTo 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 SplicesTheodore 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 Splices2. CONNECT the separate sentences correctly with the appropriate conjunction:

FANBOYSTheodore loves Darcy, and she smells like cookies.

SubordinatingTheodore 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 SplicesWhat 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. Then 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. Then 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 spliceRevision?

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?