Sentence StructureSentence Structure

Avoiding Fragments and Run-Avoiding Fragments and Run-onsons

DefinitionDefinition

► Sentence structure means the way sentences Sentence structure means the way sentences are built using words, phrases, and clauses.are built using words, phrases, and clauses. Words = single units; link up in sentences to form Words = single units; link up in sentences to form

clauses and phrasesclauses and phrases Clauses = word groups Clauses = word groups withwith subjects and verbs subjects and verbs Phrases = word groups Phrases = word groups withoutwithout subjects and subjects and

verbsverbs

► Clauses are the most important because they Clauses are the most important because they make statements – tell who did what OR what make statements – tell who did what OR what something is in a sentence.something is in a sentence.

Identify the ClauseIdentify the Clause

►We brought oranges at the farmer’s We brought oranges at the farmer’s market on Main Streetmarket on Main Street.. ““We bought orangesWe bought oranges” (clause; who did what)” (clause; who did what) ““at the farmer’s marketat the farmer’s market” and “” and “on Main Streeton Main Street” ”

(phrases; don’t have “somebody/subject” (phrases; don’t have “somebody/subject” “doing something/verb”… they clarify where “doing something/verb”… they clarify where we bought the oranges)we bought the oranges)

► Is “Is “We bought orangesWe bought oranges” a complete ” a complete sentence on its own?sentence on its own?

Sentence StructureSentence Structure

►Yes it is. You could leave out one or Yes it is. You could leave out one or both phrases and still have a sentence: both phrases and still have a sentence: We bought orangesWe bought oranges..

►You cannot, however, leave the clause You cannot, however, leave the clause out. Otherwise, you’d be left with a out. Otherwise, you’d be left with a fragment: fragment: At the farmer’s market on At the farmer’s market on Main StreetMain Street..

►Every sentence MUST have at least one Every sentence MUST have at least one clause that can stand by itself (an clause that can stand by itself (an Independent ClauseIndependent Clause.).)

Complete Complete Sentences/Independent Sentences/Independent

Clauses?Clauses?► Wandering around the mall all afternoon.Wandering around the mall all afternoon.► Because I tried to do too many things at once.Because I tried to do too many things at once.► By interviewing the applicants in groups.By interviewing the applicants in groups.► Incomplete sentences structures – Incomplete sentences structures – fragmentsfragments

– fail to communicate a complete thought. – fail to communicate a complete thought. ► I ate lunch.I ate lunch.► Computer prices are dropping they’re still Computer prices are dropping they’re still

beyond my budget.beyond my budget.

Run-onsRun-ons► Unlike Unlike fragmentsfragments, , run-onsrun-ons make complete make complete

statements.statements.► The trouble is that they make two or more The trouble is that they make two or more

complete statements.complete statements.► The first statement The first statement runsruns on to the second on to the second

without correct punctuation. For example:without correct punctuation. For example: Computer prices are dropping they’re still beyond Computer prices are dropping they’re still beyond

my budget.my budget.►Computer prices are dropping. They’re still beyond my Computer prices are dropping. They’re still beyond my

budget.budget.►Computer prices are dropping; they’re still beyond my Computer prices are dropping; they’re still beyond my

budget.budget.►Computer prices are dropping, but they’re still beyond my Computer prices are dropping, but they’re still beyond my

budget.budget.

PracticePractice

► Independent Clause, Fragment, or Run-Independent Clause, Fragment, or Run-on?on?

1.1. The forecast calls for rain I’ll wait to wash my The forecast calls for rain I’ll wait to wash my car.car.

2.2. Just ran around with his arms in the air.Just ran around with his arms in the air.

3.3. Paul and his sister with the twins.Paul and his sister with the twins.

4.4. I want a fulfilling job.I want a fulfilling job.

5.5. Hoping for a chance at an interview.Hoping for a chance at an interview.

6.6. While some of us wrote in our journals.While some of us wrote in our journals.

7.7. A truck parked in front of my driveway I couldn’t A truck parked in front of my driveway I couldn’t get to school.get to school.