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Problems with Sentence Construction

Learn to avoid sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and misplaced or dangling modifiers in writing. Understand the components of complete sentences and how to fix common mistakes. Improve your writing skills with practical examples and tips.

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Problems with Sentence Construction

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  1. Problems with Sentence Construction • Sentence Fragments • Run-On Sentences • Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

  2. Sentence Fragments • All complete sentences need: • Subject • Main Verb • Complete thought • If you’re missing one of these, you don’t have a complete sentence

  3. Fragments, continued • Examples of fragments • A story with deep thoughts and emotions. • Such as electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering. • Because the one I have now isn’t working out too well. • Look for dependent words at the beginning of sentences. If you introduce a dependent clause, remember that you need to connect it to an independent one.

  4. Run-on Sentences • A run-on sentence occurs when you combine two or more sentences with no punctuation (fused sentence) or with just a comma (comma splice). • They aren’t dangerous criminals they were just detectives in disguise. • I didn’t know which job I wanted to do, I was too confused to decide. • We will discuss ways to fix these when we talk about commas and semicolons.

  5. Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers • Review: Modifiers add detail or description to a sentence (or change the sentence in some way) • Shopping with Lisa today, I found a great purse. • Modifiers must be clear so that readers understand the details being added.

  6. Dangling Modifiers • Occurs when the subject of the modifier is unclear. • These often occur at the beginning of sentences, but they can also occur at the end. • Incorrect: Having looked through the whole music store, the CD I wanted just wasn’t there. • Correct: Having looked through the whole music store, I realized that the CD I wanted just wasn’t there.

  7. Misplaced Modifiers • Occur when the modifier is poorly placed. • The modifier appears to add detail to the wrong word in the sentence. • Incorrect: The jacket was just too small in the store. • Correct: The jacket in the store was just too small.

  8. Correcting Dangling or Misplaced Modifiers • Dangling Modifiers: • Add a clear subject for the modifier • Incorrect: Running for the bus, the rain started coming down in buckets and we got all wet. • Correct: Running for the bus, we got all wet as the rain started coming down in buckets. • Misplaced Modifiers • Move the modifier closer to the word or phrase it modifies • Incorrect: The couch was kind of ugly in the furniture store. • Correct: The couch in the furniture store was kind of ugly. Adapted from Purdue OWL

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