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GRAMMAR REVIEW
Sentence Structure
Sentence Errors: Fragments
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Fragments are incomplete sentences.
Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that
have become disconnected from the main clause.
Consider especially groups of words that begin with
although, because, if, after, during, etc.
Examples of Fragments
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Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as
electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.
Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking
off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving her
team at a time when we needed her.
I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I
have now isn't working out too well.
Compound Sentence Errors
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Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all
names given to compound sentences that are not
punctuated correctly.
Revising Compound Sentence Errors
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1. Join the two independent clauses with one of the
coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, so,
yet), and use a comma before the connecting word.
When you do not have a connecting word (or when
you use a connecting word other than and, but, for,
or nor, so, or yet between the two independent
clauses) use a semicolon (;).
Separate them into two or more independent
clauses.
Rambling Sentences
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Rambling sentences are sentences that may be
punctuated correctly.
However, they have three or more coordinating
conjunctions that confuse the meaning of the
sentence.
He ran toward his friend, and he was excited to see
him, yet he was suspicious, so he ran the opposite
way.
Practice
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The sun is high, put on some sun block.
Although I have some good ideas, the leaders did
not want to listen.
Which is why we believe the proposed amendments
should be passed.
Mr. Nguyen has sent his four children to ivy-league
colleges, however, he has sacrificed his health
working day and night in that dusty bakery.
Simple Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a simple sentence:
Independent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma.
Compound Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a compound sentence
with a coordinating conjunction:
Independent clause [ , ] coordinating conjunction
independent clause [ . ]
There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but,
for, or, nor, so, yet.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma, but they don't know the
reasons for it.
Compound Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a compound sentence
with a semicolon.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma; they are unsure of its
cause.
Compound Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a compound sentence
with an independent marker.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker
[ , ] independent clause [ . ]
Examples of independent markers are the
following: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently,
however, also.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called
for more research into its causes.
Clues: Dependent Marker Word
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A dependent marker word is a word added to the
beginning of an independent clause that makes it
into a dependent clause.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his
chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.
Some common dependent markers are: after,
although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even
though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until,
whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Complex Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a complex sentence
with a dependent marker.
Dependent marker dependent clause[ , ]
Independent clause[ . ]
Example: Because doctors are concerned about the
rising death rate from asthma, they have called for
more research into its causes.
Complex Sentences
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This pattern is an example of a complex sentence
with a dependent marker.
Independent clause dependent marker
dependent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma because it is a common,
treatable illness.
Complex Sentences
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This pattern includes an independent clause with an
embedded non-essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential
clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ]
A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be removed
without changing the meaning of the sentence or making it
ungrammatical. In other words, the non-essential clause or
phrase gives additional information, but the sentence can
stand alone without it.
Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and
family practice physicians, are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma.
Complex Sentences
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This pattern includes an independent clause with an
embedded essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause essential
clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ]
An essential clause or phrase is one that cannot be
removed without changing the overall meaning of the
sentence.
Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the
rising death rate from asthma have called for more
research into its causes.
Practice
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Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so
I did not see them at the bus station.
I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station.
Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at
the train station.
Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at
the train station after they left on the bus.
Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon and left on the bus before I arrived.