Sentence Structure

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Sentence Structure

Fragment

A fragment is an INCOMPLETE THOUGHT that is punctuated as a sentence.

Example:

Jumped over the moon.

The dog with yellow hair.

The donkey on the wall.

Run-on sentence

A run-on sentence is a sentence that is not punctuated correctly.

Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

Comma splice

A comma splice occurs when YOU are trying to separate two or more independent clause by using a comma.

Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

How do I correct run-ons and comma splices??

You can correct run-ons and comma splices like this…

By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. and a comma

By using a semicolon ( ; ) REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.

A conjunctive adverb with a semi-colon

Example of a corrected run-on

-Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year; it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrim and Indian first dinner.

Example of a corrected comma splice

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and Indians first dinner.

Simple sentence

A simple sentence contains one independent clause and NO subordinate clause.

Example:

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year.

A simple sentence is NOT..

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year that my family loves.

Compound sentence

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and NO subordinate clause.

Example:

- Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year, and it is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims and

Indians first dinner.

-This is NOT a compound sentence..

- During Thanksgiving, my family cooks and eats dinner with friends.

Punctuating compound sentences

You can punctuate compound sentences 3 ways:

By using a F.A.N.B.O.Y. and a comma

By using a semicolon ( ; )

REMEMBER, if you use a semicolon, make sure it is a complete, flowing thought; not a choppy thought.

Using a conjunctive adverb

Punctuating Compound Sentences

Remember, you can use a conjunctive adverb to separate a compound sentence.

Hint- Conjunctive adverbs are normally transition words.

Example:

Uncle James plays in a rock band; however, they still play in their garage.

Examples for using semicolons

It is suppose to rain today; in fact, it may rain all night

It will rain today, and it will rain tomorrow.

The weather man has forecasted it rain; it may flood. (correct)

The weather man has forecasted it rain; it flooded in Memphis. (incorrect)

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Example

Because of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair was frizzy all day.

Complex sentence

A complex sentence will have one of the following subordinate clauses:

Noun clause- Whomever did not take notes on Friday will take notes on Monday.

Adjective clause- I wore a shirt that has multiple colors.

Adverb Clause- I will go walking after the storm.

Compound-Complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Example

Because of the rain, Mrs. Paige’s hair was frizzy all day; therefore, she placed her hair into a ponytail.

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