Sentence Errors

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Good day Global Communicators and welcome to our topic entitled Sentence Errors! Sentence errors are the results of violation of grammar rules as well as other pertinent sentence conventions. This lesson will introduce you to our discussion on some basic sentence errors and how to rectify them. With that, you need to review your basic grammar rules as well as keen attention to details. A short review of these grammar rules may be needed just in case. Please bear in mind that mastering these rules require constant practice and exposure until you will gain considerable expertise. To support such endeavor, we will supplement our discussion with exercises. Just remember that we are doing these activities in order for you to develop spontaneity as well as fluency in wielding the words in your day-to-day interaction. We need to do this badly in order to prepare you for your full immersion to the corporate world someday. So, what are you waiting for? Jump in and enjoy learning online.

“Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later, a collection of mistakes is what is called experience.” ~ Denis Waitley

Intended learning outcomes (ILOs)

At the of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Identify faulty sentences; and
  2. Edit faulty sentences

This topic include

  1. Fragments
  2. Comma splice
  3. Run-on
  4. Faulty parallelism

First, what is a sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate and expressing a complete thought.

A Subject tells you who or what the sentence is about. Normally, a verb is needed to connect a subject to a predicate.

A Verb expresses action, tells what the subject does, or links the subject to other descriptive words, or describes a state of being. Please note that sometimes you may have more than one subject and/or more than one verb in a sentence.

A Predicate tells you something about the subject.

Examples:
  1. After class, Jason and I are meeting for lunch. (a compound subject)
  2. I have to work today from noon until ten o’clock. (one subject, one verb)
  3. The debate lasted for four hours and highlighted the different policies of each candidate. (two verbs)

What are the common sentence errors?

Sentence errors are due either to a lack of understanding about sentence formation, or a lack of care. The remedy to both is in your hands. Taking care with one’s writing is an obvious first step, and we all need to do this. The second step is to be sensitive to how sentences are written, especially those that are written by capable writers. This means you will also concentrate on reading more, and do so with real purpose. As you read these writers, try to gain an appreciation of the flow and balance and unity of each sentence, and how they combine to flesh out the theme of each paragraph. If you do this proactively (that is, eagerly), you will find that your capacity to write sound, well-formed sentences will begin to grow, almost without you realizing that this is happening. In the meantime, let us look at the most common errors found in student papers, and show you how to avoid these.

Sentence error 1: Sentence Fragment

A sentence fragment is a sentence that is missing one or more of the parts required in a good sentence. Generally, this means that the sentence is missing the subject and/or verb or does not contain a complete thought. Just as a bowl that shatters to the floor may break into pieces, a sentence fragment is a piece of a sentence. It often lacks a verb. It may lack a subject. Or it could have a subject and verb but not express a complete thought.

Examples of fragments:

  1. I going to the mall to shop. (not a complete verb)
  2. Spending lots of money at my favorite store. (no subject)
  3. While I am shopping. (subject and verb are present but this group of words cannot stand alone independently and does not express a complete thought)
  4. I heading to the mall. (not a complete verb)
  5. After I finish my classes for the day. (not a complete thought)
  6. For example, tennis, basketball, and baseball. (no subject or verb)
  7. Going to the country for the weekend. (no subject and not a complete verb)

Can you identify fragments?

  1. He listened.
  2. She telling a joke.
  3. Because she had experience.
  4. Saddleback, El Camino, Coastline, and Cypress.
  5. After lunch, I will leave.

Answers:

  1. He listened is a complete sentence for it has a subject and a verb and it expresses a complete thought.
  2. She telling a joke is a fragment for it does not have a complete verb. This could be corrected by adding “is” or “was”: “is telling” or “was telling.”
  3. Because she had experience is a fragment; even though it has a subject and verb,it does not express a complete thought.
  4. Saddleback, El Camino, Coastline, and Cypress is a fragment because there is no subject or verb.
  5. After lunch, I will leave is correct (has subject and verb and expresses a complete thought)

Types of Fragments

1. Phrase Fragment
A phrase fragment is a type of fragment which consist of a phrase only and not as a complete sentence. In other words, a phrase fragment is a phrase pretending to be a sentence. However, let us review what is a phrase first. A phrase is a group of words without a subject and/or verb and it does not express a complete thought.
Examples of phrase fragments:
  1. After the rain
  2. Into the fire
  3. Worked with clay
  4. A big, fluffy dog
  5. Against all odds
  6. Under the bridge
  7. Little less than
How to correct phrase fragments?

Add the missing subject or verb. Attach the phrase to a sentence coming before or after (if appropriate).

Therefore:
  1. After the rain, a rainbow appeared.
  2. He rushed into the fire.
2. Explanatory fragment
Explanatory fragment gives information about a sentence which came before. It usually is missing a subject or a verb or both. This type of fragment often begins with words.
Examples of explanatory fragments:
  1. Also, Chemistry 11 and World History.
  2. Especially apple pie with ice cream.
  3. As well as my sister Jan.
  4. For example, my experience last summer at the mall.
  5. Like my reaction to my allergy medicine.
  6. Including all my relatives and my neighbors.
  7. Except my brother and my best friend
How to correct explanatory fragments?

Add the missing subject or verb or both. Attach the explanation to the previous sentence.

Therefore:
  1. I am taking English, Math 200, and also Chemistry 11and World History.
  2. I love many desserts, especially apple pie with ice cream.
3. Dependent clause fragment

A dependent clause fragment is a type of fragment which is composed of a dependent clause acting as a sentence. A dependent clause is composed of a subject and verb but has no complete meaning. In other words, a dependent clause fragment is a dependent clause pretending to be a sentence.

Examples of dependent clause fragments:
  1. Because I have to get my car fixed.
  2. Although it appears to be running smoothly.
  3. Until you can pick me up from practice.
  4. When she jogged past the couple.
  5. If he is able to complete all his required classes.
How to correct dependent clause fragments?
If you write a dependent clause, you must attach it to an independent clause so that you have a grammatically correct sentence.
Therefore:
  1. Because I have to get my car fixed, I will need to take the bus to school this week.
  2. My car smells funny when I drive it although it appears to be running smoothly.

Sentence error 2:  Comma Splice

A comma splice occurs when a comma (,) is used to link two independent sentence units (with their own subjects and predicates) that are fully capable of standing on their own. A comma splice results when two independent sentences are seemingly merged to form one sentence only.

Example of Comma splices:
  • We always eat at Mang Inasal, they prefer Burger King.

In this example, both “We always eat at Mang Inasal” and “they prefer Burger King” are complete, independent sentences. Each makes sense on its own and includes both a subject (we, they) and a predicate (eat…, prefer…). Since they are connected by a comma, we have a comma splice.

How to correct a Comma splice?
  • Option #1: Divide the splice into two separate sentences using a period.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal. They prefer Burger King.
  • Option #2: Connect the two spliced segments with a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (remember FANBOYS)
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal, but they prefer Burger King
  • Option #3: Connect the spliced sections using a semi-colon, which can join related sentences.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal; they prefer Burger King.
  • Option #4: Link the spliced sections with a subordinating conjunction: although, while, as, since, though, etc.
    Example: Since we always eat at Mang Inasal, they prefer Burger King.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal although they prefer Burger King.
Exercise for Correcting Comma splice
  1. Peter dawdled on his way home he was late for supper.
  2. We cannot find Eva anywhere everyone is worried.
  3. I am enjoying this book it is well-written and interesting.
  4. Rico vehemently denied the allegation nobody believed in him.
  5. Anton struggled to untied his lace it is already broken.

Sentence error 3: Run-On Sentences

Run-on sentences are like comma splices, except they combine two independent sentences without any punctuation at all. Run-on sentences are an example of overcrowding – forcing two or more sentences into a slot for one.

Example of a Run-on Sentence:
  • We always eat at Mang Inasal they prefer Burger King

The corrections for run-on sentences and comma splices are the same. These are:

  • Option #1: Divide the splice into two separate sentences using a period.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal. They prefer Burger King.
  • Option #2: Connect the two spliced segments with a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (remember FANBOYS)
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal, but they prefer Burger King
  • Option #3: Connect the spliced sections using a semi-colon, which can join related sentences.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal; they prefer Burger King.
  • Option #4: Link the spliced sections with a subordinating conjunction: although, while, as, since, though, etc.
    Example: Since we always eat at Mang Inasal, they prefer Burger King.
    Example: We always eat at Mang Inasal although they prefer Burger King.
Exercise for Correcting Run-on Sentences
  1. Peter dawdled on his way home he was late for supper.
  2. We cannot find Eva anywhere everyone is worried.
  3. I am enjoying this book it is well-written and interesting.
  4. Rico vehemently denied the allegation nobody believed in him.
  5. Anton struggled to untied his lace it is already broken.

Sentence error 4: Faulty Parallelism

Parallelism aids the flow of a sentence and emphasizes the relationship of the ideas in the parallel elements. Parallel sentence elements regularly appear in a list or series, in compound structures, in comparisons using that or as, and in contrasted elements. Faulty parallelism is an error in which two or more parts of a sentence are parallel in meaning, but not parallel in form.

Guidelines to help you avoid faulty parallelism
  1. When listing a series of things, actions, or ideas, the items in the list should be expressed in a similar manner. Words such as by, to, that, and because should be repeated in order to signal parallelism.
    1. Faulty: The werewolf went to the hairdresser’s, visited the butcher shop, and stopped off at the movie theater.
    2. Parallel: The werewolf went to the hairdresser’s, to the butcher shop,
      and to the movie theater
  2. When linking two words or two word groups by and, each word or word group must have the same grammatical function.
    1. Two nouns: He enjoys reading plays and poetry
    2. Two verbs: He blocks and tackles skillfully.
    3. Two prepositional phrases: He looked in the drawers and under the bed.
    4. Two dependent clauses: He is a man who has worked hard, and whom we all respect.
    5. Two independent clauses: He will return to Baguio, and she will return to Cubao.
  3. When making comparisons using the words than or as, be sure that the things you compare are similar logically as well as grammatically.
    1. Faulty: The girls in Dumaguete are prettier than Manila.
    2. Parallel: The girls in Dumaguete are prettier than the girls in Manila.
  4. When using correlative conjunctions (not only … but also; both … and; neither… nor; either…or), the construction that follows the first half of the pair should be exactly balanced by the construction that follows the second half of the pair.
    1. Faulty: He is either a mad man or he is a fool.
    2. Parallel: He is either a madman or a fool. -or-
      Either he is a madman, or he is a fool.
  5. Be sure not to omit words that are necessary to balance your sentence.
    1. Faulty: Homer always has and always will eat dinner in front of the TV.
    2. Parallel: Homer always has eaten and always will eat dinner in front
      of the TV.
Exercise for Correcting Faulty Parallelism

Correct the faulty parallelism in the following sentences. Use your Yellow paper cut cross-wise as your answer sheet.

  1. This tour bus may seat eight people comfortably or it fits twenty people uncomfortably.
  2. Angrily, bitterly, and with tears in his eyes, Renato finally retired.
  3. This summer, Ed visited Italy, France, and he also went to his mother’s house in Spain.
  4. If Rick were given the choice of dong the laundry or a movie, he would choose the movie.
  5. Benjoe not only enjoys singing, he enjoys playing the guitar as well.
  6. Vampires are advised to avoid garlic, drink blood regularly, and stay out of the sun.
  7. Football is more popular in Europe than North America
  8. Rodrigo either works at his home office, or an office at Sanctuary Towers each day.
  9. Digong believes and is an advocate of werewolves’ rights.
  10. Mocha is not only are highly annoying, but also she is the proud mother of two perfectly awful children.

References

  • Fulwiler, Toby and Alan Hayakawa. The Blair Handbook. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007.
  • Gaetz, Lynne and Suneeti Phadke. The Writer’s World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.
  • Three common sentence errors and how to remedy these. Retrieved from the website https://www.avondale.edu.au/Departments/Library/Three-common-sentence-errors.pdf
  • Sentence fragments. Retrieved from https://www.saddleback.edu/uploads/la/rl/studyskills/sentence_fragments.pdf
  • Correct a sentence fragment by adding the missing information

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