Sentence structure and punctuation are important parts of writing. If you can not create a sentence or don’t know proper punctuation, you will be unable to effectively get your point across. There are several things that you need to understand in order to understand sentences. This lesson will cover constructing a proper sentence and how to punctuate a sentence.
Clauses make up sentences. You can not understand sentences if you do not understand clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are independent clauses and dependent clauses.
Independent Clause: Has both a subject and a verb. It can stand alone as a sentence.
Dependent Clause: Has both a subject and a verb. It can not stand alone as a sentence. Dependent clauses require subordinating conjunctions such as while, which, that, because, although, if, what, etc.
There are three types of sentences, simple, compound and complex. Each type of sentence has its own unique characteristics.
Simple Sentence: A simple sentence has one main/independent clause. A simple sentence must contain at least one subject and one verb in order to be complete.
Example:
The girl went to school.
Compound Sentence: A compound sentence has two or more main/independent clauses that are connected by coordinating conjunctions such as or, and, but, yet, so, etc., and are separated by a comma. Each clause must have a subject and verb.
Example:
The girl went to school, but she forgot her backpack.
Complex Sentence: A complex sentence has one main/independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example:
She forgot her backpack when she rushed out.
Problem Sentences
Part of being a good writer is being able to spot problem sentences. A problem sentence can wreck your article or paper, it can alter the meaning of your message and it just plain looks sloppy. A paper that is free of problem sentences looks polished, professional and is easy to read.
Sentence Fragment: A sentence fragment is not a complete sentence, usually lacking either a subject or a verb.
Example:
The two dogs. (lacking a verb)
Running to the bus stop. (lacking subject)
Run-on Sentences: A run-on sentence has two or more independent clauses that are not joined correctly. Sometimes they need to be split into two separate sentences, while other times they just need correct punctuation. Sentence length does not necessarily mean that a sentence is a run-on sentence. There can be very long sentences that are correct because they are properly punctuated. There are two types of run-on sentences, fused sentences and comma splices.
The clauses run into each other because there is no punctuation.
Example:
The child was tired she had stayed up all night.
Comma Splice Sentence:
Only a comma is placed between two independent clauses and there is not connecting word (but, because, and, etc.). It can also occur when a comma is placed before the conjunctive adverb such as however, therefore, etc.
Examples:
The child was tired, she had stayed up all night.
The child stayed up all night, therefore she was tired. (the comma should be on both sides of therefore)
You can correct a fused sentence or a comma splice sentence by punctuating with a period, semi-colon or a color or you can use a subordinating conjunction or a coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
The child was tired. She had stayed up all night.
The child was tired; she had stayed up all night.
The child was tired: she had stayed up all night.
The child was tired because she had stayed up all night.
Loose Sentences:
Examples:
The child was tired and she stayed up all night.
(This would work better this way: The child was tired because she stayed up all night.)
A good writer must not only know how to write well, they must also be able to write a sentence properly and punctuate a sentence correctly, so it is important to learn the techniques of writing as well as the writing itself.
(This could be broken into several shorter sentences and it would flow better.)
Choppy Sentences: Choppy sentences interrupt the natural flow of the sentences. They are several short sentences with no transition to link them to each other.
Example:
She was late for school. She forgot her book sack. Her assignment was in it. She had worked on it all night.
(It would work better like this: She was late for school because she forgot her book sack. It contained the assignment which she had worked on all night.) A loose sentence is a sentence that has a weak construction. It may have too many phrases and clauses that are in no particular order. A loose sentence may also have too many “and” connectives when another conjunction would better convey the meaning.
Parallel Structure: Parallel structure is the act of sequencing sentences so that they all follow the same grammatical or structural principle.
Example:
She likes reading, sewing and to write.
(The correct way to write this would be: She likes reading, sewing and writing.)
Her assignment was on the philosophers, the philosophical theories and how they correlate.
(The correct way to write this would be: Her assignment was on the philosophers, the philosophical theories and their correlations.
Punctuating Correctly
Punctuation can affect the meanings of sentences and entire paragraphs. It is important that you punctuate your work correctly so that it will look more polished and professional. Additionally, you will adequately convey your message to your audience.
Period: Use a period at the end of a sentence. A period completes a declarative statement.
Question Mark: Use a question mark when your sentence asks a question.
Exclamation Mark: Use an exclamation mark to show emphasis or convey excitement.
Comma: Many people use commas indiscriminately and this causes their writing to become messy. The mantra for commas is “When in doubt, leave the comma out.”
Actually, there are several very specific times that you should use a comma:
In a series:
Use commas to separate a series of three or more items. These can be words, phrases or clauses.
Example:
She went to the movie, the beach and the coffee shop.
He bought gum, soda and sour candy.
Before a coordinating conjunction:
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction such as but, and, or, for, so, yet, etc., that links two main clauses.
Example:
The boy smarted at her remark, but did not say a word.
To set off introductory words, phrases or clauses:
Use a comma to separate introductory words, clauses or phrases from main clauses.
Example:
Mark, can you please turn down the radio?
Nevertheless, he was a star pupil.
Other Times to Use Commas
Use a comma, or pair of commas, to separate a word, phrase or clause, that may not be necessary for the sentence’s meaning, from the rest of the sentence.
Example:
My brother Jeff, who is almost seventeen years old, has his own car.
You should also use a comma between coordinate adjectives that are not joined by and. Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that modify the same noun (the still make sense when you insert the word “and” between them).
Use a semi-colon to separate main clauses that are joined by conjunctive adverbs. Conjunctive adverbs are words such as therefore, however, nevertheless, thus, etc.
Ben was very intelligent; nevertheless, he had a tendency to act up in class.
Use semi-colons to separate clauses or phrases that are in a series if they have internal punctuation or are long.
Example:
You can study effectively if you avoid distractions, talking off topic to others, and straying off task; take notes, actively listen, and read the text critically; and get enough rest.
Colons
Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a series of items, phrases or clauses; or to introduce a quotation.
Examples:
The suit comes in several colors: red, blue, yellow and black.
Her teacher inspired her students: “Anything is possible if you believe.”
Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a second independent clause that explains the first.
Example:
She glowed with pride: her daughter won the award.
Micah (the pretty blonde one) sat quietly at her desk.
Square Brackets
Example:
In writing well, it is necessary to “take time, pay attention and let your [the writer’s] personal style shine.”
Quotation Marks
IMPORTANT!
End punctuation, including commas, periods, question marks, etc, go inside the quotation marks, while semi-colons and colons go on the outside of the quotation marks.
Example:
“We must go home,” she said, “before mother gets there.”
used to enclose direct quotes, verbatim words of a speaker or exact words from a book or article.used to enclose comments that clarify, explain or correct words within a quotation.separates information that you do not necessarily need in the sentence from the rest of the sentence. used to emphasize a part of a sentence or to show a break in tone or thought. use a comma before a parenthesis.use a comma after “such as” or “like.” use a single comma after a coordinating conjunction such as yet, but, etc. use a comma to separate a preposition and its object. use a comma to separate a verb and its object.use a comma to separate a subject and its verb. use commas to separate cumulative adjectives. (cumulative adjectives build upon each other to modify a noun)
