CONTENTCONTENT Complete SentencesComplete Sentences FragmentsFragments Run-On SentenceRun-On Sentence ModifiersModifiers Faulty parallelismFaulty parallelism Subject-Verb AggrementSubject-Verb Aggrement

Complete SentencesComplete Sentences

A complete sentence has a A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate that work subject and a predicate that work together to make a complete together to make a complete thought.thought.Bobby smiled until he

thought his face would crack.

A COMPLETE SENTENCE A COMPLETE SENTENCE CONSISTS OF:CONSISTS OF:

1 Subject1 Subject the person, place, or thing the person, place, or thing performing or doing the performing or doing the actionaction

2 Predicate/Verb2 Predicate/Verb the actionthe action

33 Complete IdeaComplete Idea the reader isn't left waiting the reader isn't left waiting for another wordfor another word

Sentence FragmentsSentence Fragments A A SENTENCE FRAGMENTSENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be fails to be

a sentence in the sense that it a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. It is an cannot stand by itself. It is an incomplete sentenceincomplete sentence. Some . Some fragments are incomplete because fragments are incomplete because they lack either a subject or a verb, they lack either a subject or a verb, or both. The fragments that most or both. The fragments that most students have trouble with, however, students have trouble with, however, are are dependent clausesdependent clauses—they have —they have a subject and a verb, so they look a subject and a verb, so they look like complete sentences, but they like complete sentences, but they don't express a complete thought. don't express a complete thought. They're called "dependent" because They're called "dependent" because they can't stand on their own. they can't stand on their own.

Sentence FragmentsSentence FragmentsLook at these dependent clauses. They're just begging Look at these dependent clauses. They're just begging

for more information to make the thoughts complete:for more information to make the thoughts complete:

Because his car was in the shopBecause his car was in the shop (What did he do?) (What did he do?) After the rain stopsAfter the rain stops (What then?) (What then?) When you finally take the testWhen you finally take the test (What will happen?) (What will happen?) Since you askedSince you asked (Will you get the answer?) (Will you get the answer?) If you want to go with meIf you want to go with me (What should you do?) (What should you do?)

Does each of these examples have a subject? Yes. Does each of these examples have a subject? Yes. Does each have a verb? Yes. So what makes the Does each have a verb? Yes. So what makes the thought incomplete?? It's the first word (thought incomplete?? It's the first word (Because, Because, After, When, Since, IfAfter, When, Since, If). These words belong to a ). These words belong to a special class of words called special class of words called subordinatorssubordinators or or subordinating conjunctionssubordinating conjunctions. If you know . If you know something about subordinating conjunctions, you something about subordinating conjunctions, you can probably eliminate 90% of your fragments.can probably eliminate 90% of your fragments.

SENTENCE FRAGMENTSENTENCE FRAGMENT First, you need to know that subordinating conjunctions do First, you need to know that subordinating conjunctions do

three things:three things: join two sentences togetherjoin two sentences together make one of the sentences dependent on the other for a make one of the sentences dependent on the other for a

complete thought (make one a dependent clause)complete thought (make one a dependent clause) indicate a logical relationshipindicate a logical relationship Second, you need to recognize the subordinators when Second, you need to recognize the subordinators when

you see them. Here is a list of common subordinating you see them. Here is a list of common subordinating conjunctions and the relationships they indicate:conjunctions and the relationships they indicate:

Cause / EffectCause / Effect: because, since, so that: because, since, so that Comparison / ContrastComparison / Contrast: although, even though, though, : although, even though, though,

whereas, whilewhereas, while Place & MannerPlace & Manner: how, however, where, wherever: how, however, where, wherever Possibility / ConditionsPossibility / Conditions: if, whether, unless: if, whether, unless RelationRelation: that, which, who: that, which, who TimeTime: after, as, before, since, when, whenever, while, : after, as, before, since, when, whenever, while,

untiluntil

SENTENCE FRAGMENTSENTENCE FRAGMENT Third, you need to know that the subordinator Third, you need to know that the subordinator

(and the whole dependent clause) doesn't (and the whole dependent clause) doesn't have to be at the beginning of the sentence. have to be at the beginning of the sentence. The dependent clause and the independent The dependent clause and the independent clause can switch places, but the whole clause clause can switch places, but the whole clause moves as one big chunk. Look at how these moves as one big chunk. Look at how these clauses switched places in the sentence:clauses switched places in the sentence:

Because his car was in the shop,Because his car was in the shop, John took the John took the bus.bus.

John took the bus John took the bus because his car was in the because his car was in the shop.shop.

Finally, every dependent clause needs to be Finally, every dependent clause needs to be attached to an independent clause attached to an independent clause (remember, the independent clause can stand (remember, the independent clause can stand on its own).on its own).

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentences A A RUN-ON SENTENCERUN-ON SENTENCE

(sometimes called a fused (sometimes called a fused sentence) has at least two sentence) has at least two parts, either one of which can parts, either one of which can stand by itself, but the two stand by itself, but the two parts have been connected parts have been connected together with one or two together with one or two words instead of becoming two words instead of becoming two sentences.sentences. The run-on could The run-on could be corrected with a semi-be corrected with a semi-colon,Colon,conjunction etccolon,Colon,conjunction etc

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentences RememberRemember: The length of a : The length of a

sentence really has nothing to do sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; even a very short sentence or not; even a very short sentence could be a run-on. could be a run-on.

The books are heavy don’t carry them.

The books are heavy. Don’t carry them.

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentences

When two clauses are When two clauses are connected by connected by onlyonly a comma, a comma, they are a run-on sentence they are a run-on sentence that is called a that is called a comma-comma-splicesplice.. The books are heavy,

don’t carry them.

Ways to avoid run-onsWays to avoid run-ons Write the two clauses as two separate Write the two clauses as two separate

sentences: sentences: – It is nearly half past five. We cannot It is nearly half past five. We cannot

reach town before dark.reach town before dark.– Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales. Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales.

He even told them to his teachers.He even told them to his teachers. Insert a Insert a coordinating conjunction (such as (such as

"and" or "but") after the comma: "and" or "but") after the comma: – It is nearly half past five, so we cannot It is nearly half past five, so we cannot

reach town before dark.reach town before dark.– Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales, Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales,

and he even told them to his teachers.and he even told them to his teachers. Insert a Insert a semicolon between the clauses: between the clauses:

– It is nearly half past five; we cannot It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.reach town before dark.

– Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; Henry Whopper was a teller of tall tales; He even told them to his teachers.He even told them to his teachers.

Ways to avoid run-onsWays to avoid run-ons

Insert a semicolon and a transitional Insert a semicolon and a transitional word between the clauses: word between the clauses: – It is nearly half past five; It is nearly half past five; thereforetherefore, ,

we cannot reach town before dark.we cannot reach town before dark.– Henry Whopper was a teller of tall Henry Whopper was a teller of tall

tales; tales; in factin fact, he even told them to , he even told them to his teachers.his teachers.

Insert a colon (if the relationship of the Insert a colon (if the relationship of the second clause clarifies, defines, second clause clarifies, defines, exemplifies the first clause): exemplifies the first clause): – No man is an island: we all need to be No man is an island: we all need to be

a part of some community.a part of some community.– The magician's talents were never The magician's talents were never

disputed: every performance in his disputed: every performance in his career ended with a standing ovation.career ended with a standing ovation.

ModifiersModifiers

What is a Modifier?What is a Modifier?

A word or phrase that adds on A word or phrase that adds on and gives extra details to other and gives extra details to other words, sentences, or clauses. words, sentences, or clauses. Modifiers should be physically Modifiers should be physically close to the word or phrase that it close to the word or phrase that it is modifying. is modifying.

ModifiersModifiers

In grammar, a In grammar, a modifiermodifier (or (or qualifierqualifier) is a word or sentence ) is a word or sentence element that limits or qualifies element that limits or qualifies another word, a phrase, or a another word, a phrase, or a clause. In English, there are two clause. In English, there are two kinds of modifiers: kinds of modifiers: adjectivesadjectives, , which modify nouns and pronouns, which modify nouns and pronouns, and and adverbsadverbs, which modify verbs, , which modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. adjectives, and other adverbs.

Problems with Problems with modifiersmodifiers Dangling modifiersDangling modifiers

DefinitionDefinition

A dangling modifier is when the A dangling modifier is when the added detail is stated unclearly added detail is stated unclearly and confuses the reader. These and confuses the reader. These are unclear because they are are unclear because they are notnot close to the word or phrase they close to the word or phrase they are modifying.are modifying.

PurposePurpose

It gives clarification when the sentence It gives clarification when the sentence conveys a meaning to the reader that the conveys a meaning to the reader that the writer did not intend.writer did not intend.

ExamplesExamples

Dangling ModifierDangling Modifier

Having been Having been smashed into smashed into piecespieces, he picked , he picked up the glassup the glass..

Correctly ModifiedCorrectly Modified

When the glass When the glass was smashed was smashed into piecesinto pieces, he , he picked it up.picked it up.

The way the first sentence is phrased, it sounds confusing because the modifier isn’t near the phrase it’s supposed to modify. In the second sentence, the phrase being modified was moved right next to the modifier making the sentence correct.

More ExamplesMore Examples

After reading the After reading the study, study, the article the article remains unconvincingremains unconvincing

After reading the After reading the study, study, I find the I find the article unconvincingarticle unconvincing

The first sentence is phrased as if the article read the study and was unconvinced which is confusing to the reader because the correct phrase isn’t present. The corrected sentence is phrased with the modifier next to the subject it pertains to casing the sentence to make sense.

Dangling Modifier Correctly Modified

Different ways to fix a Dangling Different ways to fix a Dangling ModifierModifier

This Dangling Modifier:This Dangling Modifier:

Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the Having been thrown in the air, the dog caught the ball.ball.

Can be corrected in the following ways:Can be corrected in the following ways:

When the ball was thrown in the air, the dog caught When the ball was thrown in the air, the dog caught it.it.

The dog caught the ball after it was thrown in the air.The dog caught the ball after it was thrown in the air. The ball was thrown and the dog caught it.The ball was thrown and the dog caught it.

MISPLACED MODIFIER:

A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it describes.  Sentences with misplaced modifiers often sound awkward, confusing, or downright illogical.

Some frequently misplaced single words are

 almost    even    exactly    hardly    just    merely    nearly    only    scarcely    simply

Misplaced Single word

                                                                        

The logical meaning of this sentence is not that the vendor almost sold all of her pottery, but that she sold almost all of her pottery.Therefore, almost correctly belongs next to all.                                                                                  

Misplaced phrase     Example #1

                                                                       

As written, this sentence means that children were served on paper plates.On paper plates is misplaced. Correctly written, the sentence means that hamburgers were served, on paper plates.                                                                                                                      

Misplaced clause    Example #1                  

                                              

As written, this sentence means that the store was broken..                                                                                                           

 

Correctly written, the sentence means that the toy was broken.  

                                                                                                                         

As written, the sentence means that I forgot my keys after I got home.                                                                                                                     

          

Example #2

Squinting modifiersA squinting modifier is a modifier misplaced so that it may describe two situations. Example                                                                                                                                     

The sentence above is unclear.            Does it mean that I told my son when the game was

over?                                                                OR            Does it mean that I would play with him when the game

was over?                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Awkward separationsAn awkward separation creates a confusing meaning.     Example                                                                                                          

As written, this sentence separates the auxiliary verb from the main verb, creating an awkward gap.  

                                                                                                                        

Faulty parallelism is an Faulty parallelism is an error in which two or more error in which two or more parts of a sentence are parts of a sentence are parallel in meaning, but parallel in meaning, but not parallel in form.not parallel in form.

FAULTY PARALLELISMFAULTY PARALLELISM

1. When elements are parallel in thought, use parallel forms to express them.

•cooking, eating, cleaning

•to cook, to eat, to clean

•have cooked, have eaten,have cleaned

• pretty, tall, friendly

2. Balance a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, a modifier with a modifier, etc.

Whenever possible, words of the same kind should be used to do the same jobs in a sentence.

•She is charming and beautiful.

In this sentence, charming, an -ing word, is balanced with beautiful. They are in parallel structure, however, because they are both modifiers; that is, they both describe a person. •Incorrect: She is charming and has beauty.

Both phrases describe her, but charming is a modifier, whereas beauty is a noun. Therefore, the sentence has now lost its parallel structure.

3. Use parallel construction for words joined by such connectors as and, but, nor, or.

I enjoy reading, writing, and conducting experiments in a laboratory.

Note that the three elements are all -ing words. This sentence contains proper parallelism.

Incorrect: Our baby is cute and behaves well. In this example, the parallelism is faulty. Cute

is a modifier; behaves well is a form of a verb. This sentence may be rewritten as follows:

Our baby is cute and well-behaved.

4. Use parallel structure with such constructions as either. . .or, neither. . .nor, not. . . but, not only. . .but also, both. . .and.

Incorrect: Either going for a ride or to lie in the sun is my idea of a good time.

This sentence may be rewritten:

Either going for a ride or lying in the sun is my idea of a good time.

Incorrect: Not only was he a great man, but also an excellent writer.

What is wrong with the parallelism here? Was he a great man contains both a subject he and a verb was; and excellent writer contains neither. This is an especially common error. The sentence may be rewritten as:

He was not only a great man but also an excellent writer.

Now the subject and verb have been moved out of the parallel sections, and there is proper parallelism between a great man and an excellent writer.

OR Not only was he a great man, but he was also an

excellent writer. Now each clause has a subject and a verb; again there

is proper parallelism.

5. Parallel groups of words in a sentence must have parallel structure.

– Incorrect: I promise to be a good husband and that I will help clean the apartment.

The two groups of words do not have a parallel structure in this sentence. One begins with the to form of a verb, and the other does not. This sentence may be rewritten as follows:

I promise that I will be a good husband and that I will help clean the apartment.

Now the two elements are parallel. Note how the form of the first has been changed to go along with the second.

– Incorrect: By changing the oil myself, and because I know how to do tune-ups, I save money on the care of my car.

– Again, the two separate elements of this sentence do not coincide. There is no parallel structure.

– The sentence may be rewritten as follows: By changing the oil myself and by doing my

own tune-ups, I save money on the care of my car.

She got a new job with a higher salary, increased benefits, and she also works fewer hours than before.

may be changed to Incorrect: She got a new job with a higher

salary, increased benefits, and fewer hours

SUBJECT-VERB AGGREMENT

A singular subject demands a singular verb; a plural subject demands a plural verb. That is the simple principle behind subject-verb agreement.

e.g. The Computer is old (singular)

The computers are old (plural)

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone and everybody feel plural to some writers, but they are always singular — and take a singular verb.

Everyone associated with the project is proud to be part of the effort.

Someone has to be responsible.

Don’t be confused by phrases that come between the subject pronoun and its verb — phrases that may contain plural words.

Each of the project partners is responsible for writing a chapter summary.

The verb that accompanies pronouns such as all and some will be determined by whether the pronoun is referring to something that is COUNTABLE or not.

Some of the students in the cafeteria have voted already.

Some of the grain was ruined by the flood.

“Students” is countable, but we cannot count “the grain”; it is one lump, one quantity.

None is usually regarded as singular, but it can be used as a plural pronoun.

None of the representatives has indicated how he or she will vote. OR None of the representatives have indicated how they will vote.

With fractional expressions (fractions or decimal equivalents), the verb will be determined by what is being measured: is it COUNTABLE or not.

Two-fifths of the grain is ruined.

One-half of the students were convinced that there would be no final exams this year.

Of all the returns we have counted so far, fifty percent are in favor of the referendum.

A majority of the student body is in favor of asking the Dean to stay another year.

Phrases such as together with, along with, and as well as seem to join subjects, but they do not work the same as and: they are not conjunctions.

Some of the hay in the barn, as well as some major pieces of farm equipment, was ruined in the flood.

The major spending bill before Congress, together with some other bills that are awaiting action, is going to cost taxpayers plenty.

In formal writing, when either and neither appear as a subject alone (without their sidekicks or and nor), they are singular. This is true even though the subject seems to be two things.

Neither of these choices appears to be satisfactory.

The purchasing office will lend me a company car or compensate me for travel expenses. Either is fine with me.

When either and neither act as correlative conjunctions, the subject that is closer to the verb determines the number (singular or plural form) of the verb.

Neither the principal nor the teachers are at fault.

Either the teachers or the principal has to be responsible for the year-end festival.

When an expletive construction (there is, there are, here is, etc.) begins a sentence, the subject (which determines the number of the verb) comes after the verb.

There are several explanations for the Civil War.

We were looking down the street when —all of a sudden — here come Joe and his two brothers.

If the management team takes this attitude, there is very little latitude for negotiation.

Be careful when lengthy or numerous modifying phrases come between the subject and its verb.

Tim Berners-Lee, one of America’s most prominent computer scientists and —as a founder of the World Wide Web Consortium — one of the most important figures in the development of the Internet, has been working quietly at M.I.T. for many years.

The fact that the plural “scientists” and “figures” appear in this sentence has no effect on our choice of a singular verb, “has.”