Grammar - Common Sentence Errors - Quick Guides

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Study GuideGrammar–Common Sentence Errors1.Recognizing Common Sentence ErrorsOnce you know what a sentence is, the next step is learningwhat works and what doesn’t. This willhelp you spot mistakes and improve your writing.1. Watch Out for Run-On Sentences and Fragments•Run-on sentenceshappen when two or more complete ideas are joined without properpunctuation.•Fragmentsare incomplete sentences—they’re missing a subject, a predicate, or both.Knowing how a complete sentence is built helps youavoid these mistakes.2. Pay Attention to Sentence DetailsSome errors are trickier and need you to think carefully about how words work together:•Subject-predicate agreement: Make sure the subject and verb match in number(singular/plural).•Misplaced modifiers: Place descriptive words or phrases near the words they describe.•Faulty parallelism: Keep similar ideas in the same grammatical form.•Style problems: Watch for awkward or unclear phrasing.3. Become a Critical ReviewerBy paying attention to these details in your own writing, you’ll be able tocatch and fix mistakesbefore anyone else sees them. Developing this skill will make your sentencesclearer, stronger, andeasier to read.2.Run-On Sentences2.1What Is a Run-On Sentence?Arun-on sentencehappens when two or moreindependent clausesare joined together without thecorrect punctuation.

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Study GuideAnindependent clauseis a complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb, and it expresses acomplete thought. When an independent clause stands alone, it should end with aperiod,questionmark, orexclamation mark.2.2How to Correctly Join Independent ClausesIf you want to connect independent clauses, you have only a few correct options:1. Keep Them SeparateThe simplest solution is to make them two sentences.Correct:He drove off in the Mercedes. Erica watched him go.Each sentence ends properly with a period.2. Use a SemicolonAsemicolon (;)can join two closely related independent clauses.Correct:He drove off in the Mercedes; Erica watched him go.3. Use a Comma + Coordinating ConjunctionYou can also join independent clauses with acomma followed by a coordinating conjunction.The seven coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember with the acronymFANBOYS:for, and, nor, but, or, so, yetCorrect:He drove off in the Mercedes, and Erica watched him go.

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Study Guide2.3WhatNotto Do: The Comma SpliceUsing acomma aloneto join independent clauses is incorrect. This mistake is called acommasplice, and it creates a run-on sentence.Incorrect:He drove off in the Mercedes, Erica watched him go.A comma by itself is not strong enough to join complete sentences.2.4Run-Ons with Conjunctive (Sentence) AdverbsSome wordslooklike coordinating conjunctions, but they are not. Words likehowever,nevertheless,andfor exampleare calledconjunctive adverbsortransitional words.These wordscannotjoin independent clauses with just a comma.Common Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitions•however•nevertheless•therefore•for example•as a result•even so•in other words•on the contraryRemember this rule:You may join independent clauses with a comma only if the comma is followed by one of theseven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).The impostors—words that look like coordinating conjunctions but are actually adverbs—are calledconjunctive adverbs or sentence adverbs. The use of a comma to join a clause beginning with one ofthese words is common. But no matter how widespread the practice, it still creates a run‐on, and mostteachers and editors won't accept it. Table 1 shows a few of the words to watch out for.

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Study GuideCorrect and Incorrect ExamplesCorrect:Scientists were convinced by the evidence; however, the Food and Drug Administration was slow torespond.Incorrect:Scientists were convinced by the evidence, however, the Food and Drug Administration was slow torespond.Correct:The hurricane damaged the arena. Nevertheless, the game was played on schedule.Incorrect:The hurricane damaged the arena, nevertheless, the game was played on schedule.

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Study GuideCorrect:Folic acid appears to exert a protective effect. For example, one study showed that it cut the rate ofneural tube defects by two-thirds.Incorrect:Folic acid appears to exert a protective effect, for example, one study showed that it cut the rate ofneural tube defects by two-thirds.2.5When Are Run-Ons Sometimes Acceptable?The run-ons discussed so far are basic grammar errors. However,in rare cases, writers mayintentionally use a run-on sentence for style or effect.This may be acceptable when:•The clauses arevery short•The sentence has aclear rhythm•The tone isinformal or conversational•The meaning is stilleasy to understandExamples of Acceptable Run-OnsLive by the sword, die by the sword.They smiled, they touched, they kissed.I hardly recognized her, she was so thin.(In this case, the wordbecauseis understood.)3. Quiz: Run-On SentencesQuestion 1Choose theCORRECTsentence.

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Study GuideAnswer Choices• He boarded the plane for Boston. The plane took off on time.• He boarded the plane for Boston; the plane took off on time.• Both a and bCorrect AnswerBoth a and bWhy This Is Correct• Both sentences are grammatically correct.• Independent clauses may be joined by asemicolonor separated intotwo sentences.Question 2Choose theCORRECTsentence.Answer Choices• Sarie rode her bicycle to the market, she stopped at the café for coffee.• Sarie rode her bicycle to the market, and she stopped at the café for coffee.• Sarie rode her bicycle to the market she stopped at the café for coffee.Correct AnswerSarie rode her bicycle to the market, and she stopped at the café for coffee.Why This Is Correct• The sentence correctly joins two independent clauses.• A comma plus the coordinating conjunctionandis used properly.

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Study GuideQuestion 3Choose the group of words that listscoordinating conjunctionsused to join independent clauses.Answer Choices• for example, nevertheless, thus• and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet• also, besides, similarly, thenCorrect Answerand, but, for, nor, or, so, yetWhy This Is Correct• These words are known as theFANBOYSconjunctions.• They are used to join independent clauses with a comma.Question 4Choose theTRUEstatement.Answer Choices• Independent clauses can be joined by a semicolon but not a comma.• Independent clauses can be joined by a comma only.• Independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction only.Correct AnswerIndependent clauses can be joined by a semicolon but not a comma.Why This Is Correct• A comma alone cannot join independent clauses.• A semicolon can join them without a conjunction.

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Study GuideQuestion 5In which example is theindependent clause underlined?Answer Choices•Her little brother ran down the street; he was chasing the ice cream truck.• Her little brother ran down the street, andhe was chasing the ice cream truck.• Both a and bCorrect AnswerBoth a and bWhy This Is Correct• Each underlined section has a subject and verb.• Both express complete thoughts, making them independent clauses.Question 6She planned to take the train to Vancouver the railroad bridge had been damaged.One way to correct the run-on sentence above is ________Answer Choices• She planned to take the train to Vancouver, but the railroad bridge had been damaged.• She planned to take the train to Vancouver. The railroad bridge had been damaged.• Both a and bCorrect AnswerBoth a and b

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Study GuideWhy This Is Correct• Both options correctly separate or join the independent clauses.• Each fixes the run-on sentence.Question 7Which example shows theINCORRECTway to join two independent clauses?Answer Choices• Engineers investigated the bridge collapse, but they couldn't agree on a cause.• Engineers investigated the bridge collapse; they couldn't agree on a cause.• Engineers investigated the bridge collapse, even so they couldn't agree on a cause.Correct AnswerEngineers investigated the bridge collapse, even so they couldn't agree on a cause.Why This Is Correct•even sois not a coordinating conjunction.• A comma cannot join independent clauses without a proper conjunction.4.Sentence Fragments4.1What Is a Sentence Fragment?Asentence fragmentis a group of words that looks like a sentence but isn’t complete. Mostfragments are:•Phrases•Subordinate (dependent) clauses•Or a combination of both

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Study GuideDon’t judge by length. A sentence can be very short (He jumps.), and a fragment can be very long—even fifty words. What matters is structure, not size.4.2How to Recognize a FragmentAt first glance, a fragment may fool you. It often:•Starts with acapital letter•Ends with aperiodBut when you look closely, it’s missing one or more of the three things every sentence needs:1.Asubject2.Averb3.Acomplete thoughtIf any of these are missing, the sentence is actually a fragment.4.3Common Types of Sentence Fragments1. Subordinate Clauses Standing AloneFragment:Because the mayor wanted more coverage than a single newspaper story.This is asubordinate clause. It begins withbecause, which means it cannot stand alone. The readeris left wondering,What happened because of this?Corrected:Because the mayor wanted more coverage than a single newspaper story, we called a pressconference for all media.Tip:When you start a sentence with a subordinating word (likebecause, although, if,orwhen), makesure anindependent clausefollows it.2. Phrases Separated from a SentenceFragment:We saw the boys standing there. Laughing and throwing cans all over the front lawn.

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