Common Errors in Sentence Structure

1. Common Errors in Sentence Structure Comma Splices SS(cs) Faulty Parallelism SS (frag) Sentence Fragments SS(run-on) Run-ons

2. Common Errors in Sentence Structure Comma Splices SS(cs) Faulty Parallelism SS (frag) Sentence Fragments SS(run-on) Run-ons

3. , Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Comma Splices • What is a comma splice? • A comma is used to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate conjunction between them. • Example: I completed my first draftI have to edit and revise it. ,

4. , Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Comma Splices • How to fix a comma splice? • Use a period. • Use a semi-colon. • Use a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but). • Use a subordinating conjunction (e.g. since, because). . Complete Sentence Complete Sentence ; Complete Sentence Complete Sentence ,but Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Complete Sentence because

5. , Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Comma Splices • How to fix a comma splice? • Use a period or a semi-colon followed by a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, furthermore, therefore, similarly, in addition) before the second independent clause. ; however, Complete Sentence Complete Sentence

6. Comma Splices – Corrected • I completed my first draft,andI have to edit and revise it. • I completed my first draft,butI don’t have time to edit and revise it. • My research paper is due tomorrow;however,I have not even finished the first draft.

7. Common Errors in Sentence Structure Comma Splices SS(cs) Faulty Parallelism SS (frag) Sentence Fragments SS(run-on) Run-ons

8. Faulty Parallelism • What is faulty parallelism? • Sentence elements used to express two or more ideas or items in a series are not grammatically equal.

9. Faulty Parallelism • Example: The college offers a variety of programs to help students move into professional careers like engineering, accounting, emergency workers and fashion designers. • Occupations: engineering,accounting • People: emergency workers, fashion designers

10. Faulty Parallelism • How to fix faulty parallelism? • Make sure that each element in a series has the same form and structure to all others in the same series. • Corrected: The college offers a variety of programs to help students move into professional careers like engineering, accounting, emergency services and fashion design.

11. Parallelism with Correlative Items • Correlative items are connected by pairs of conjunctions such as either . . . or, not only . . . but also, and whether . . . or. • David is eitherat the band practice orstudying with his. friends Preposition phrase Gerund phrase

12. Parallelism with Correlative Items Examples: • David is eitherat the band practice orat the library. • At the banquet, Lucy not only received the MVP Award for soccer, but also received the Athlete of the Year Award. • Whetherhe leaves orhe stays does not make a difference to me.

13. Parallelism with Correlative Items "He has either gone swimming or gone sailingis precisely parallel; gone swimming and gone sailing are grammatically similar and share their relationship with he has."(Edward D. Johnson, The Handbook of Good English, rev. ed. Pocket Books, 1991)

14. Common Errors in Sentence Structure Comma Splices SS(cs) Faulty Parallelism SS (frag) Sentence Fragments SS(run-on) Run-ons

15. Sentence Fragments What is a sentence fragment? • It is a piece of information which has the appearance of a sentence, but lacks some characteristics of a complete sentence. • No subject • No verb • A dependent clause without an independent clause

16. Sentence Fragments Example: • No subject; No verb: I’m looking forward to going on vacation. So excited about visiting new places and meeting new people.

17. Sentence Fragments Corrected: • I’m looking forward to going on vacation. I’m so excited about visiting new places and meeting new people. Subject & verb

18. Sentence Fragments Example: • No verb: On warm evenings, there are hundreds of people walking on Main St. Many enjoying live music and eating ice cream.

19. Sentence Fragments Corrected: • On warm evenings, there are hundreds of people walking on Main St. Many enjoy live music and eat ice cream. verb

20. Sentence Fragments Example: • A dependent clause without an independent clause: It is necessary to become independent learners. Because we are studying in college. We need to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly.

21. Sentence Fragments Corrected: • The dependent clause now has an independent clause: It is necessary to become independent learnersbecause we are studying in college. We need to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly. Independent clause

22. Common Errors in Sentence Structure Comma Splices SS(cs) Faulty Parallelism SS (frag) Sentence Fragments SS(run-on) Run-ons

23. Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Run-on • What is a run-on sentence? • Sometimes called a "fused sentence“, a run-on sentence has two or more independent clauses which are not properly connected to each other. • A comma-splice is a type of run-on sentence. • Example: I don't play tennis well I have a weak backhand.

24. Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Run-on • How to fix a run-on? (same as comma splice) • Use a period. • Use a semi-colon. • Use a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but). • Use a subordinating conjunction (e.g. since, because). . Complete Sentence Complete Sentence ; Complete Sentence Complete Sentence ,but Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Complete Sentence because

25. Complete Sentence Complete Sentence Run-on • How to fix a run-on sentence? • Use a period or a semi-colon followed by a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, furthermore, therefore, similarly, in addition) before the second independent clause. ; however, Complete Sentence Complete Sentence

26. Run-ons – Corrected • I don't play tennis wellbecauseI have a weak backhand. • I don't play tennis well. I have a weak backhand. • I have a weak backhand;therefore, I don't play tennis well.