Sentence Structure

WRITING RESOURCES | GRAMMAR

Sentence Structure

Every sentence in a paper must express an idea, and must express it clearly. For a paper to be clear and easy to read, the sentences that compose it must be well structured.

Clauses

A clause is made up of at least two elements (subject and verb), and sometimes three (subject, verb and object). It expresses one single idea.

The subject is the person or thing that does the action: The boy threw the ball.

The verb is the action: The boy threw the ball.

The object is the person or thing that receives the action: The boy threw the ball.

• An independent clause is a group of words (including a subject and a verb) that can stand on its own. Ex.: I stayed inside.

• A dependant clause is a group of words (including a subject and a verb) that cannot stand on its own. It must be connected to the independent clause, and it can act as a noun, as an adjective or as an adverb. Ex.: I stayed inside while it was raining.

Sentences

A sentence is made of one or more clauses. Depending on the number of clauses, it can express one or more ideas.

• A simple sentence (or independent clause) is a single clause expressing one idea. Ex.: The boy threw the ball.

• A compound sentence is made of two or more clauses that are joined by a conjunction or semicolon. Ex.: The boy threw the ball, and his friend caught it.

• A complex sentence is made of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Ex.: The boy who was wearing a green shirt threw the ball.

 In a list, always enumerate elements of the same nature and verb tense. This is called a parallelism. Ex.: This software offers better security, new features and an updated look. As opposed to: This software offers better security, new features and the look has been updated.

COMMON ERRORS Sentence Fragments

• A sentence fragment occurs if a clause is missing an element that is essential for comprehension. Ex.: To calm down.

 To correct this error, add the missing element. Ex.: He went jogging to calm down.

• A sentence fragment occurs if a clause begins with a connecting word, such as a conjunction or a relative pronoun, without being connected to another clause. Ex.: The dog barked. So the boy threw the ball.

 To correct this error, join the two clauses in order to form a compound sentence. Ex.: The dog barked, so the boy threw the ball.

COMMON ERRORS Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices

• A run-on sentence occurs when two clauses are joined without the use of punctuation or conjunctions. Ex.: He smiled it was his lucky day.

• A comma splice occurs when two clauses are joined by a comma without the use of a conjunction. Ex.: He smiled, it was his lucky day.

 To correct these errors, join the clauses by using a conjunction or semicolon, or split the clauses into two complete sentences. Ex.: He smiled; it was his lucky day. Ex.: He smiled. It was his lucky day.

COMMON ERRORS Dangling Modifiers

• A dangling modifier occurs when a word or group of words is inserted next to the wrong element of a sentence, often causing confusion. Ex.: He cautioned them against yelling quietly, since it could cause an avalanche.

 To correct this error, restructure the sentence so that the modifier is immediately next to the element it describes. Ex.: He quietly cautioned them against yelling, since it could cause an avalanche.