Issues with Sentence Structure
This section focuses on your ability to recognize and correct structural errors within sentences. It tests your knowledge of how sentences should be composed to convey clear and coherent meaning. The key issues you’ll encounter include:
Sentence Fragments
- These are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. For example, the phrase “Running down the street” is a fragment because it doesn’t have a subject or a complete idea. You’ll need to identify fragments and know how to revise them into full sentences.
Run-on Sentences
- These occur when two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) are improperly joined without the correct punctuation or conjunction. For example, “She went to the store she bought groceries” is a run-on. You’ll need to recognize run-ons and correct them by using punctuation like periods or semicolons or adding coordinating conjunctions (like “and” or “but”).
Comma Splices
- A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. For instance, “It is raining, I forgot my umbrella.” You would need to correct this by either using a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
Parallelism
- Parallel structure involves keeping a consistent format when writing a list or using multiple phrases. For example, “She enjoys running, to swim, and biking” should be corrected to “She enjoys running, swimming, and biking.” You will have to identify sentences that break this rule and correct them.
Misplaced Modifiers
- Modifiers must be placed near the word they modify to avoid confusion. For example, “Running down the street, the dog barked at the girl” suggests the dog is running, but if the girl is meant to be running, the sentence should be revised to “The dog barked at the girl running down the street.”
Deep Dive: Fixing Fragments
Effective writing relies on clear and coherent sentence structures. Sentence fragments are common errors that can hinder clarity and confuse readers. Understanding how to identify and correct this issue is crucial for improving your writing skills.
Definition of a Sentence Fragment
A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a main clause or does not express a complete thought. Fragments often occur when a dependent clause is presented alone or when the subject or verb is missing.
How to Identify Fragments:
- Look for groups of words that seem incomplete.
- Check if the phrase can stand alone as a complete thought. If it cannot, it’s likely a fragment.
Examples of Fragments:
- Missing a Subject: “Running through the park.”
- Dependent Clause Alone: “Although she was tired.”
- Lack of a Complete Thought: “Because I was late.”
Example of Corrected Fragments:
- Add a Subject or Verb: “I was running through the park.”
- Combine with a Nearby Sentence: “Although she was tired, she continued to run.”
- Remove the Dependent Clause: “I was late.”
Key Tip: Always check for sentence completeness. Ensure each sentence has a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. When two independent clauses are involved, use appropriate punctuation like a semicolon or a conjunction.