Common problems in constructing sentences

1. Incomplete sentences (Fragment)

Examples:
1. Because she deserves it
2. While they are studying
3. The girl in pink
4. Is cleaning the house
5. Behind the red car
2. Run-on sentences occurs when a writer does not know where to end a sentence.
Example:
The girl was on her way to school when a young man approached her and asked
for
her bag she refused and he stabbed her.
4 ways to correct run-ons:
A. With end marks and capitals
Run-on:

The sale was in full swing in the store people crowded the aisles.

Sentence:

The sale was in full swing. In the store, people crowded the aisles.

B. With commas and conjunctions

Run-on:

The wrapping paper needed cutting we could not locate the

scissors.
Sentence:

The wrapping paper needed cutting, but we could not locate the
scissors.

C. With semicolons
Run-on:

The horse show began late, someone had misplaced the

registration
forms.

Sentence:

The horse show began late; someone had misplaced the

registration
forms.
D. By rewriting
Run-on:

The horse show began late, someone had misplaced the

registration
forms.
Sentence:

The horse show began late because someone had misplaced the
registration forms. (changed to complex sentence)

Transitional Devices
A. Amplification or addition:
and, again, in addition, further, furthermore, moreover, also, too, and then,
besides, equally important
B. Comparison:
also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, additionally, just as, like

C. Contrast:
But, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, yet,
conversely,
whereas, rather, otherwise, although, in spite of, despite
D. Consequence or conclusion:
Therefore, thus, hence, then, as a result, for these reasons, accordingly,
consequently, because, since, due to, it follows that, so
E. Concession:
To be sure, granted that, of course, it is true, no doubt, naturally
F. Example:
For example, for instance, as an illustration, to illustrate, specifically, in
particular, namely, such as

G. Emphasis or insistence:
Anyway, indeed, in fact, certainly, of course, yes, no
H. Restatement:
That is, in other words, in simpler terms, to put it differently
I. Recapitulation or summation:
In conclusion, in summary, to summarize, to sum up, all in all, as has been
said,
altogether, in short, on the whole, in brief
J. Time or place:
Afterward, later, earlier, formerly, elsewhere, here, there, subsequently, at the
same time, simultaneously, above, below, further on, this time, so far, until
now,
meanwhile, during, at last, in the first place, thereafter, presently

3. Comma splices results from a writers misuse of comma to separate different

thoughts in a sentence.
Examples:
1. Since she prepared very well for the bar exams, I have no doubt she will
hurdle
them, but she should not be overconfident, and she should pray hard.
2. There is too much politics in this country, this is why the economy is
deteriorating
very fast.
4. Misplaced modifiers the wrong position of the modifier in a sentence.
Examples:
1. The lady who was holding an umbrella shouted at the boys in red.
2. She decided to deposit her money to earn interest in a bank.
3. After his speech, the man left hurriedly yesterday.
4. For sale: Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with a round bottom for

efficient beating
5. Wanted: Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink
Practice: Misplaced Modifiers.
1. The young girl ran toward her horse crying with joy.
Ans.____________________________________________________________________
2. The spaghetti was served to the child smelling of garlic.
Ans.____________________________________________________________________
3. The buildings on the ground from the plane looked small.
Ans.____________________________________________________________________
4. Covered with mold, he threw out the cheese.
Ans.____________________________________________________________________
5. Richard planned to meet Rachel before the concert at Radio City Music Hall at a
restaurant.
Ans.____________________________________________________________________

5. Dangling Modifiers occurs when the word being modified is not present in a
sentence
Examples:
1. Looking at the stars, a meteor flashed across the sky.
2. When she was a baby, Sarahs mother was very strict.
Practice :Dangling Modifier. Fix the following by rewriting it on the blank provided.
1. Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.
__________________________________________________________
2. After reading the original study, the article remains convincing.
__________________________________________________________
3. Relieved of our responsibilities at your job, your home should be a place to relax.
__________________________________________________________
4. Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed.

__________________________________________________________
5. Standing on the balcony, the ocean view was magnificent.
__________________________________________________________

6. Parallelism the placement of equal ideas in words, phrases, or clauses of similar

types
Examples:
1. The wrestler looked strong, fit and with agility.
2. The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth and to have it
found
out through accident Charles Lamb
3. It couldnt be, of course. It will never, never be. Dorothy Parker
7. Wordiness using more words than necessary to express a meaning. ( is often a
sign of lazy or careless writing)

Examples:
Wordy form
A large number of
A period of a week

Short form
Many
A week

Arrive at an agreement

Agree

At an earlier point in time

Before

At the present time

Now

Big in size

Big

Due to the fact that

Because

During the time that

While

Five in number

Five

For the reason that

Because

Good benefit

Benefit

In every instance

Always

In my opinion

I think

In the event that

If

In the near future

Soon

In this day and age

Today

Is able to

Can

Large in size

Large

Plan ahead for the future

Plan

Postponed until later

Postponed

Red in color

Red

Return back

return