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• Sentence Structure:
Sentence structure is a group of words that
come together to make a complete sentence. A
simple sentence consists of at least a subject
and a verb.

We need to fully understand the parts of a

structured sentence …

First and foremost, we should understand what

a clause is, which makes up sentences.
A clause is a group of words consisting of both a
subject and a verb. A clause can be
independent or dependent ( also known as
subordinate).
•An independent clause consists of both a
subject and a verb and can stand on its own as
a sentence.
EX: He (subject) likes (verb) climbing
mountains.
•A dependent clause contains both a subject
and a verb, but can’t stand on its own as a
sentence. It contains subordinating
conjunctions such as because, but, although,
what, that, which, if, etc.
EX: Because he loves to play hide and seek
What are the different kinds of sentences?
There’re three kinds of sentences:
Simple
A simple sentence consists of one
main or independent clause. As a
simple complete sentence must
have at least a subject and a verb.
EX: The man (subject) went (verb) to the
market.
Compound
A compound sentence has at least two main or
independent clauses, connected by
coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, so). Each clause has its own (subjects)
and (verbs).
EX: We went shopping, but all the shops were
so crowded.
Complex
A complex sentence has at least one main (or
independent) clause and at least one
dependent (or subordinate) clause.
EX: When I go to the club, I have so much fun
with my friends.
•Dependent clause: When I go to the club
•Independent clause: I have so much fun with
my friends

1. How do I identify and fix sentence

fragments?
A sentence fragment is an incomplete
sentence. It usually lacks either a subject or a
verb, or both or contains only a dependent
clause.
Examples:
For example: Playing tennis at night.
•Problem: No subject—Who was playing
tennis at night?
She in the garden with her nephew.
•Problem: No verb—What is she and her
nephew doing?
But they couldn’t afford to buy the present.
•Problem: It’s a dependent clause. But they
couldn’t afford to buy the present what?
2. How do I identify and fix choppy sentences?
A succession of short sentences, without transitions
to link them to each other, results in choppy
sentences. To correct, join the sentences as clauses
using appropriate transitions and conjunctions.
Example:
 Incorrect: Our results were inconsistent. The
program obviously contains an error. We need
 to talk to Paul Davis. We will ask him to review
the program.
Correct: We will ask Paul Davis to review the
program for errors because it produced
inconsistent results.

How do I identify and fix run-on sentences?

A run-on sentence is one in which two or more

independent clauses (or complete sentences) are
joined incorrectly by missing punctuation, a
connecting word, or both. The two types of run-on
sentences are fused sentences and comma splice
errors.
Remember that the length of a sentence does not
determine whether it is a run-on sentence: a
sentence that is correctly punctuated and correctly
joined can be extremely long.

Types of Run-On Sentences

There are two types of run-on sentences;
Type 1 - Fused sentence
In a fused sentence, independent clauses follow
each other in a sentence with no punctuation.
Example:
 Incorrect: The experiment failed it had been left
unobserved for too long.
Type 2 - Comma splice
A comma splice error refers to the error of placing
only a comma between two independent clauses,
without a connecting word (such as and, but, or
because).
Example:
 Incorrect: The experiment failed, it had been left
unobserved for too long.
A comma splice also occurs when commas are used
before conjunctive adverbs (therefore, however,
nevertheless, moreover, etc.) connecting two
independent clauses.
Examples:
 Incorrect: The experiment had been left
unobserved for too
long, (comma) therefore (conjunctive adverb),
(comma) it failed.
  Correct: The experiment had been left
unobserved for too long; (semi-colon) therefore
(conjunctive adverb), (comma) it failed.
 Incorrect: He wasn’t prepared to defend a client
who was guilty, (comma) however (conjunctive
adverb), (comma) he could be persuaded to
accept a bribe.
 Correct: He wasn’t prepared to defend a client
who was guilty; (semi-colon) however
(conjunctive adverb), (comma) he could be
persuaded to accept a bribe.
Note: When the conjunctive adverb is within the
clause rather than at the beginning, place it between
commas.
Example:
 Correct: He wasn’t prepared to defend a client
who was guilty; (semi-colon) he could be
persuaded, (comma) however (conjunctive
adverb), (comma) to accept a bribe.
How to correct a fused sentence or a comma
splice error:
To correct a fused sentence or a comma splice
error, you can use either a period, semi-colon, colon,
comma plus coordinating conjunction, or
subordinating conjunction.
Examples (correct):
 The experiment failed. (period) It had been left
unobserved for too long.
 The experiment failed; (semi-colon) it had been
left unobserved for too long.
 The experiment failed: (colon) it had been left
unobserved for too long.
 The experiment had been left unobserved for
too long, (comma) so (coordinating conjunction)
it failed.
 The experiment failed because (subordinating
conjunction) it had been left unobserved for too
long.

4. How do I fix and identify loose sentences?

A loose sentence results when the main

(independent) clause is followed by many phrases
and clauses that add information but in no particular
order.
Example:;
 We got the contract, and we must be ready by
June 1 with the necessary personnel and
 equipment to get the job done, so with this in
mind a staff meeting, which all group managers
are expected to attend, is scheduled for
February 12.
o NOTE: Writing the previous sentence as

several sentences would be more effective.

5. How do I fix and identify inappropriate or

excessive coordination?

Inappropriate coordination results if you use “and” as

a connective when other conjunctions would convey
a more precise meaning.
Example:
 John had a weight problem, and (coordinating
conjunction) he dropped out of school.
o Problem: what is the most accurate

connection: John had a weight problem so

he dropped out of school or because he
dropped out of school?
Excessive coordination results when several clauses
are joined by coordinating conjunctions. If you are
trying to correct choppy sentences by joining them,
be careful that you do not end up with excessive
coordination instead.
Example:
 Roses are a popular flower, and they are difficult
to grow, so many people choose to purchase
them as cut flowers instead, but that can be
expensive.
6. How do I fix and identify excessive
subordination?
Excessive subordination results when a number of
simple sentences are joined together with
subordinating conjunctions (because, that, which,
after, if, etc.). This error can cause confusion for the
reader because it is unclear how the parts of the
sentence are related. If you are trying to correct
choppy sentences by joining them, be careful that
you do not end up with excessive subordination
instead.;
Example:
 Incorrect: Doug thought that he was prepared
but he failed the examination which meant that
he had to repeat the course before he could
graduate which he didn’t want to do because it
would conflict with his summer job.
  Correct: Doug thought that he was prepared, but
he failed the examination. Therefore, he would
have to repeat the course before he could
graduate. He did not want to do that because it
would conflict with his summer job.

7. How do I identify and fix parallel structure?

Parts of a sentence which are in sequence should all
follow the same grammatical or structural principle.
Examples:
 Incorrect: I like to swim, to sail, and rowing.
 Correct: I like to swim, to sail, and to row.
 Correct: I like swimming, sailing, and rowing.
 Incorrect: This report is an overview of the
processes involved, problems that we
encountered, and how they were solved.
 Correct: This report is an overview of the
processes involved, the problems encountered,
and the solutions implemented.