common problems in constructing sentences

7/21/2019 Common Problems in Constructing Sentences

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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 rewritingRun-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 writer’s 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, Sarah’s 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 lookedstrong, fit andwith agility.

2. The greatest pleasure I know isto do a good action by stealth and to have it

found

out through accident – Charles Lamb

3.It couldn’t 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 Short form

A large number of

A period of a week

Arrive at an agreement

At an earlier point in time

At the present time

Big in size

Due to the fact that

During the time that

Five in number

Many

A week

Agree

Before

Now

Big

Because

While

Five



For the reason that

Good benefit

In every instance

In my opinionIn the event that

In the near future

In this day and age

Is able to

Large in size

Plan ahead for the future

Postponed until laterRed in color

Return back

Because

Benefit

Always

I thinkIf

Soon

Today

Can

Large

Plan

PostponedRed

return

common problems in constructing sentences

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