Sentence Structure Problems and Correction

23.02.2010 00:45

Sentence Fragments are incomplete sentences or parts of sentences

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Because some students work part time.	Because some students work part time, they can do other activities.
For example, the increase in the cost of the rent.	For example, the increase in the cost of the rent is one reason for more people to be homeless.
Because she was always late.	She was fired because she was always late.

Choppy Sentences are sentences that are too short

INCORRECT	CORRECT
My mother is a good cook. She likes to cook. I always eat all her food.	My mother, who is a good cook, likes to prepare dishes that I always eat.
Gasoline became expensive. Automobile manufactures began to produce smaller cars. Smaller cars use less gas.	When gasoline became more expensive, automobile manufactures began to produce smaller cars because they use less gas.
The grading system should be abolished. Students do not like getting grades. Teachers hate giving grades.	The grading system should be abolished because students do not like getting grades and teachers hate giving them.

A Run On Sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses are written one after another with no punctuation.

INCORRECT	CORRECT
My family went to Australia then they emigrated to Canada.	My family went to Australia. Then they emigrated to Canada.
Two letters arrived on Monday a third one came on Wednesday.	After two letters arrived on Monday, a third one came on Wednesday.
An editor of a magazine does not write articles he only collects and edits articles written by experts.	An editor of a magazine does not write articles; he only collects and edits articles written by experts.

A Comma Splice is asentence in which two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Mr Smith was fired, he is upset.	Mr. Smith was fired; therefore, he is upset.
The new software is hard to install, it is also difficult to use.	The new software is hard to install; also, it is difficult to use.
Oldest children are dependable, middle kids like to be peacekeepers.	Oldest children are dependable; on the other hand, middle kids like to be peacekeepers.

Stringy Sentences are sentences with too many clauses, usually connected with and, but, so, and because.

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Students attend classes all morning, and then they work, and the also have to study at night, so they are usually stressed.	Students attend classes and work all the morning. Since they also have to study at night, they are usually stressed.
I want to go to Cusco with my friends because it is beautiful and Cusco is important to visit because it is the new wonder.	Because Cusco is an important new wonder and beautiful city to visit, I want to go there with my friends.

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