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Introduction
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn more about writing and written expression skills. You will have the chance to apply your vocabulary and reading comprehension to formulate your own writing.
Lesson Objectives:
Identify a complete and incomplete sentence.
Identify different types of sentences in the context of their reading.
Learn how to correct common sentence errors.
Key Terms
Key Terms
The key terms below will assist you with reading and expand your conceptual vocabulary for English Language Arts. You can practice saying the words aloud now, but you will learn more about these words in the following pages.
Verb
Subject
Complete sentence
Sentence fragment
Run-on sentence
Comma splice
Simple sentence
Compound sentence
Complex sentence
Flashcards of Key Terms
Flashcards of Key Terms
Practice the key terms using the flashcards below:
Explanation of a Complete Sentence
Explanation of a Complete Sentence
A complete sentence must always have a subject and a predicate and express at least one complete thought.
(subject ) + (predicate) + (complete thought) = sentence
Subjects
Subjects
A sentence must have a subject. Subjects name people, places, things, ideas, and activities. Most subjects do something in a sentence or describe an action. They are always nouns, but may include modifiers to describe or enhance the noun. Sample Subjects:
A sentence without a subject is considered a fragment. Below are examples of fragments with missing subjects and their corrected versions with the missing subject underlined.
Fragment: Blinded Mike.
Correct: The headlights blinded Mike.
Incorrect: Was able to run ten miles.
Correct: Carol was able to run ten miles.
Incorrect: Couldn’t wake up
Correct: The twins couldn’t wake up.
Predicates
Predicates
A sentence must have a predicate. Predicates describe what the subject does or is. It is typically a verb and then anything modifying that verb.
Sample Predicates (verbs underlined):
Jennifer tickled the cow’s ear.
The fan spun dizzily overhead.
Rumors spread quickly.
Ted is allergic to ink.
The moon was high in the sky.
III. Complete thoughts:
III. Complete thoughts:
Sentences must express a complete thought:
Incorrect: Because I was in a hurry.
Correct: Because I was in a hurry, I forgot my keys.
These examples below contain a noun and a verb, but are not complete sentences because they cannot stand alone as a complete idea. Their corrected versions with the missing complete thought underlined.
Fragment: When I went home.
Correct: When I went home, I called Nikki.
Fragment: That I want.
Correct: She bought the shoes that I want.
Implied Subjects
Implied Subjects
An exception to the rule of having a subject of a sentence is when there is an implied subject, meaning that a subject is not present, but it is implied. This is usually a command where the subject “you” is implied:
Implied Subject (Correct): Go take out the trash, please.
Including the Subject (Correct): You go take out the trash, please.
Implied Subject: Don’t go!
Including the Subject (Correct): You don’t go!
Key Points to Remember:
Key Points to Remember:
Every sentence must have a subject. To identify fragments, find who or what the sentence is talking about.
A correct sentence needs a predicate, which defines what a subject is doing.
Although fragments may contain a noun and a verb, they do not express a complete thought.
Some complete sentences may have implied subjects.
Click on the presentation below to learn what makes a sentence complete. Be sure to have your volume on to hear the presenter.
This presentation will help those who have been flagged by Grammarly.com, Turnitin.com, or any other editor for writing fragments, run-ons, or comma splices.
Sentence Types
Sentence Types
Have you ever noticed that the only famous author in history that writes in 3-4 word sentences only is Dr. Seuss, and he was a children's author? That is no coincidence.
Think about writing that is truly compelling for an adult audience. Writing that pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. That is writing that has differing structures throughout. Being able to write like this shows that you have a firm grasp on the English language and you have exceptional writing skills.
Now let's take a closer look at using different types of sentences in your writing in the presentation below. Again, volume on, please.
Fixing Common Sentence Errors
Fixing Common Sentence Errors
When you try to make your sentences clear and easy to understand, there are considerations you have to observe while writing. Some common mistakes in sentence writing can affect the readability of your text.
By following the standard English sentence writing standard, you may convey your will better to your reader. Knowing the guidelines will help you compose correct sentences as well as identify errors in your text. Moreover, it will assist you in repairing the flaws to make them well-polished. This article provides a list of common sentence mistakes and suggestions to correct them.
Expand the content of each common sentence error below to learn more about them and how to fix them:
Fragment
Fragment
A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It has an element that is missing in the sentence. It could be a missing subject or a predicate or lacks a whole idea. To be considered a complete sentence, it must contain a subject, a predicate, and a complete thought.
Missing Subject
The subject is the doer of the action. It usually answers the question of who or what? Some messages are constructed without a subject but describe or tell what it does. This kind of sentence construction is erroneous.
Quick Fix: To correct a fragment with a missing subject, add details by identifying the doer of the action.
Examples:
Fragment: Fell on the tree.
Revised: The naughty kid fell on the tree.
Fragment: Shows no progress in the project.
Revised: The current situation shows no progress in the project.
Missing the Main Verb
Without the main verb, a sentence is considered a fragment. Verbs are action words. Hence, to find the verb in the sentence, you must identify the words that tell what happened.
Quick Fix: Repair this by adding a verb and details to complete the thought of your sentence.
Examples:
Fragment: The artisan who created the rattan chairs.
Revised: The artisan who created the rattan chairs visited to see our new displays.
Fragment: Many students, such as Ricky.
Revised: Many students, such as Ricky are interested in joining the acquaintance party.
Incomplete Meaning
If the sentence doesn’t express a complete idea, it is considered a fragment. You’ll quickly figure this out if you have to ask a further question, such as "what" and "why." Also, they often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as “because,” “since,” “unless,” “if,” etc.
Quick Fix: To easily convert the fragment into a sentence, you can simply remove the subordinating conjunction.
Example:
Fragment: Because we have no money at that time.
Revised: We have no money at that time.
Quick Fix 2: To complete the meaning of your sentence, you can also add an independent clause to which your dependent clause can be attached.
Example:
Fragment: Because we had no money at that time
Revised: We were not able to visit you that summer because we had no money at that time.
Run-On
Run-On
Run-on sentences occurs when independent clauses are joined together with no coordinating conjunctions or punctuation marks used to separate them. It makes the sentence lengthy and confusing.
Quick fix: To correct a fused sentence, you can use a connector or semicolon to join the two independent sentences and make it into one sentence.
Examples:
Incorrect: Tom needs to relax he spends the weekend sleeping and resting.
Correct: Tom needs to relax, so he spends the weekend sleeping and resting.
Incorrect: She did not go to the market the rain was heavily pouring this morning.
Correct: She did not go to the market; the rain was heavily pouring this morning.
Comma Splice
Comma Splice
Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined with a comma. In other words, the words on each side of the comma could form their own sentence. There are several ways to correct comma splices:
One of the easiest ways to correct comma splices is to create two separate sentences.
Comma Splice: The council's plans will never be carried out, there is too much opposition.
Corrected with a Period: The council's plans will never be carried out. There is too much opposition.
Usually, a comma indicates a brief pause. However, a comma is not strong enough to provide the strong separation between two independent clauses. A semicolon can correct a comma splice if the two independent clauses are related.
Comma Splice: As the teacher prepared for the lesson, she wrote on the chalkboard and turned on the overhead projector, she had everything she needed to start teaching her students.
Corrected with a Semicolon: As the teacher prepared for the lesson, she wrote on the chalkboard and turned on the overhead projector; she had everything she needed to start teaching her students.
You may also correct a comma splice by inserting a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), such as "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," or "so." Just make sure to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction you decide to use.
Comma Splice: John was anxious about his date, he decided to cancel it.
Corrected with a Coordinating Conjunction: John was anxious about his date, so he decided to cancel it.
A comma splice can be corrected by using a subordinating conjunction. "Until," "as long as," "because," "in order that," "while," and "unless" are subordinating conjunctions. Do not add a comma when using a subordinating conjunction.
Comma Splice: John was anxious about his date, he decided to cancel it.
Corrected with a Subordinating Conjunction: John was anxious about his date until he decided to cancel it.
Resources & Exercises
Resources & Exercises
For more information about the above sentence errors, additional common sentence errors, and exercises to practice correcting errors, please visit the following resources:
Even More Resources
Even More Resources
Do you want further explanation of the topics above? Check-out the following resources:
Section Completed -- Onto the Comprehension Quiz
Section Completed -- Onto the Comprehension Quiz
Congratulations! You are done with this lesson. You are now ready to check your understanding with this lesson's comprehension quiz, which can be found in our class's Canvas shell.
Be sure to review your notes and ask questions before hand for clarity if needed.
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