Sentences: Types, and Common Mistakes

Sentences are classified as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. This designation is
based on the clauses used to create the sentence.

Clauses:

Every clause must have a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent
(subordinate).

An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. It is able to stand
independently.

Example: The class is hard.

A dependent (subordinate) clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought,
and, therefore, cannot be left alone. If a subordinate clause is left alone, a fragment will result. These
clauses depend on independent clauses to express a complete thought.

Example: If the class is hard,

Sentence Types:

A simple sentence is one independent clause with no subordinate clauses.

Example: The statue is in the garden.

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses. The two clauses are
joined by either a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.

Coordinating Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can be easily recalled by learning the acronym
FANBOYS.

Example: I finished reading the book, and I returned it to the library.

The girls went to the store; they bought new shoes.

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause with one subordinate clause.

Example: When the teacher spoke, the students were silent.

A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Example: Because the students work hard, they will pass, and they will be happy.
The class was difficult; however, the students will pass because they worked hard.

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 Common Sentence Errors:
Subject-Verb Agreement:

The subject of a sentence specifies who or what the sentence is about. The subject consists of a simple subject
and a complete subject. The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. The
complete subject consists of the simple subject and all the words that modify it.

Examples: The blue shoes are on the shelf.

In this sentence the simple subject is “shoes.” The complete subject is “the blue shoes.”

Subject-Verb Agreement relies on both the subject and verb being either singular or plural.

Incorrect: The students was late for class.

In this sentence, the subject “students” is plural while the verb “was” is singular.

Correct: The students were late for class.

In this sentence, both the subject “students” and the verb “were” are plural. Thus, the
subject and verb are in agreement.

Incorrect: Jessica take the bus to school.

In this sentence, the subject “Jessica” is singular while the verb “take” is plural.

Correct: Jessica takes the bus to school.

In this sentence, both the subject “Jessica” and the verb “takes” are singular. Thus the
subject and verb are in agreement.

Fragments:

A sentence fragment is a word group that is attempting to function as a sentence but lacking an independent
clause. In some circumstances, they can be easy to notice, but when placed near related sentences, it can
become more difficult.

Example: The colony in the north.

There is no verb present to make the statement a complete thought.

I gathered the materials from all of the usual places. The same databases and newspapers.
In the second part of this example, there is no verb present to complete the thought.
Therefore, “the same databases and newspapers” is a fragment.

Run-ons:

A run-on sentence occurs when independent clauses are not joined correctly. Run-on sentences are occasionally
referred to as fused sentences. In a fused sentence, the two independent clauses are joined with no punctuation
mark or coordinating conjunction.

Example: The family drove to the beach it was a beautiful day.

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 In this sentence, the two independent clauses are combined without using the correct
punctuation or conjunction.

Corrections: The family drove to the beach; it was a beautiful day.

The family drove to the beach, and it was a beautiful day.

To correct these sentences, one may use either a semicolon or a comma with a
coordinating conjunction.

Comma splices are another common error that create run-on sentences. A comma splice occurs when two or
more independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Example: The baby is in his crib, he is sleeping.

In this sentence, the two independent clauses are combined using only a comma.

Correction: The baby is in his crib; he is sleeping.

The baby is in his crib, and he is sleeping.
To correct these sentences, one may use either a semicolon or a comma with a coordinating
conjunction.

Modifiers:

A modifier is an adjective, an adverb, a phrase, or a clause acting as an adjective or adverb. A modifier provides
the reader with further information about the word of phrase a modifier modifies.

Limiting modifiers limit or restrict the meaning of a word or phrase within the sentence. These modifiers
should be placed directly in front of the word they modify. Common Limiting modifiers include only,
even, almost, nearly, and just.

Example: We go out for ice cream only when we win the game.

Misplaced Modifiers occur when it is unclear what the modifier is modifying. It is important to make
sure the meaning of modifiers is clear when forming a sentence. Misplaced modifiers can lead to
misreadings and ambiguity.

Example: An apple pie sat on the table that Claire had baked.
In this sentence, it is unclear what the modifier “that Claire had baked” is
modifying.

Correction: An apple pie that Claire had baked sat on the table.

A split infinitive occurs when a modifier is placed between the two parts of an infinitive. When the
modifier is a long word or phrase, splitting the infinitive can create an awkward sentence. Splitting the
infinitive is occasionally necessary, however, when rewording, this creates an equally awkward
sentence.

Incorrect Example: I hope to soon see the document.

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 Correction: I hope to see the document soon.
OR
I hope soon to see the document.

Acceptable Split Infinitive: I plan to really enjoy my vacation.

This split infinitive would be acceptable because the alternative, “I plan to enjoy really
my vacation,” would be awkward.

Dangling Modifiers are word groups that do not immediately follow or precede the noun it describes.

Example: Walking on the beach, the water touched my feet.

In this sentence, the modifier “Walking on the beach” appears to modify the
water.

Correction: While I was walking on the beach, the water touched my feet.

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 Exercises

Identify the following as independent or dependent clauses:

I like to read. _________________________

When she goes to school. _________________________

It was a very good year. _________________________

Staying alive. _________________________

Come over tomorrow night. _________________________

With your jive talking. _________________________

Identify the following sentences as simple, complex, or compound:

My house is very spacious. __________________________

We went to the restaurant, and we ate a tasty dinner. __________________________

In the summer time, the weather is hot. __________________________

Bill has a math test on Monday, so he must

study hard this weekend. __________________________

Since I can’t have you, I don’t want anybody else. __________________________

Correct the following sentence fragments:

Sarah who is short. _______________________________________________________________________.

The people and places in the city. ____________________________________________________________.

Two of the students in my class. _____________________________________________________________.

When I go shopping. ______________________________________________________________________.

The commercial on television. ______________________________________________________________.

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Correct the following Run-ons:

The commercial was funny it was about a clown.__________________________________________________.

Jake was sick he went to the doctor. ____________________________________________________________.

Maria took a trip to Florida she had a lot of fun.___________________________________________________.

The computer was broken I tried to fix it.________________________________________________________.

My parents love to travel I go with them sometimes._______________________________________________.

Correct the following Comma Splices:

Marie Curie discovered radium, she applied her work to medicine. ___________________________________.

Jake does not realize his illness is serious, he needs to alter his diet.___________________________________.

I went to the zoo, I saw elephants there._________________________________________________________.

The dog played outside, he was there all day._____________________________________________________.

My car would not start, I went to get it fixed._____________________________________________________.

Correct the following Limiting Modifiers:

We can go shopping even if we have to go to school._______________________________________________.

I like chocolate ice cream just as much as I like vanilla._____________________________________________.

Correct the following Misplaced Modifiers:

My cell phone sat on the table which rang all night long.____________________________________________.

My sister ate the cake who is very tall.__________________________________________________________.

The table was broken that was made out of wood._________________________________________________.

Correct the following Spilt Infinitives:

I did not have more to do than I could handle.____________________________________________________.

I will only have to do the work once.___________________________________________________________.

I was hesitant mostly because I had not talked to John in a while._____________________________________.

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Correct the following Dangling Modifiers:

Sitting on the chair, the cat scratched the material._________________________________________________.

Eating in the kitchen, the sandwich was good.____________________________________________________.

Running in the park, my shoes began to hurt._____________________________________________________.

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 Answers

Identify the following as independent or dependent clauses:

I like to read. ____ independent________

When she goes to school. _____dependent _________

It was a very good year. _______ independent _______

Staying alive. _____dependent _________

Come over tomorrow night. _______ independent _______

With your jive talking. _____dependent _________

Identify the following sentences as simple, complex, or compound:

My house is very spacious. ______Simple ________

We went to the restaurant, and we ate a tasty dinner. _____Compound ________

In the summer time, the weather is hot. _______Complex ___________

Bill has a math test on Monday, so he must

study hard this weekend. _____Compound ________

Since I can’t have you, I don’t want anybody else. _______Complex ___________

For acceptable corrections of remaining sentence exercises, please see writing tutor.

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