SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND
PUNCTUATION
SENTENCE
A sentence is a group of words expressing a
complete thought.
 Has 5 characteristics






Starts with an uppercase letter and ends with a
punctuation mark attached to the final word
Has a subject.
Has a verb.
Has standard word order.
Has an independent clause (a subject and verb that
can stand alone).
CLAUSES
Independent could stand by themselves as
discrete sentences, except that when they do
stand by themselves, separated from other
clauses, they're normally referred to simply as
sentences, not clauses.
 Dependent cannot stand by themselves and make
good sense. They must be combined with an
independent clause so that they become part of a
sentence that can stand by itself.

AVOID FRAGMENTS
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence,
an error that occurs when a sentence is missing
either a verb or an independent clause.
 To correct a sentence fragment, use two of the
following strategies:

Introduce a verb.
 Link the fragment to an independent clause.

FIXING FRAGMENTS

Introduce a verb.
Fragment: The pressure loss caused by a worn
gasket.
 How would you fix this sentence?
 The pressure loss was caused by a worn gasket.


Link the Fragment.
Ex: The article was rejected for publication. Because
the data could not be verified.
 Which sentence is the fragment?
 How would you fix it?

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
The subject and verb of a sentence must agree in
number, even when a prepositional phrase comes
between them.
 If the subject is singular/plural, the verb must be
singular/plural.

Sentence 1: The result of the tests are promising.
 Sentence 2: The result of the tests is promising.
 Which sentence is correct?

COMMA
The comma is the most frequently used
punctuation mark.
 Uses:

In a compound sentence
 To separate items in a series composed of three or
more elements
 To separate introductory words, phrases, and clauses
from the main clause of the sentence
 To separate a dependent clause from the main clause

AVOID COMMA SPLICE
A comma splice is an error that occurs when two
independent clauses are joined together by a
comma.
 Can be corrected 3 ways

Use a comma and coordinating conjunction (and, or,
nor, but, for, so, or yet).
 Use a semicolon.
 Use a period or another form of terminal
punctuation.
 Ex: The 909 printer is our most popular model, it
offers an unequaled blend of power and versatility.

PERIOD

.
Uses:
At the end of sentences that do not ask questions or
express strong emotion (Declarative Sentence)
 Abbreviations

QUESTION MARK?

Used at the end of a sentence that asks a direct
question (Interrogative Sentence)
EXCLAMATION POINT !

Used at the end of a sentence that expresses
strong emotion. (Exclamatory Sentence)
SEMICOLONS ;

Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses
not linked by a coordinating conjunction


The second edition of the handbook is more up-todate; however, it is also more expensive.
Use semicolon to separate items in a series that
already contains commas

The members elected three officers: Jack Resnick,
president; Carol Wayshum, vice president; Ahmed
Jamoogian, recording secretatry.
COLONS :

Use a colon to introduce a word, phrase, or clause that
amplifies, illustrates, or explains a general statement.


The project team lacked one crucial member: a project
leader.
Use a colon to introduce items in a vertical list if the
sense of the introductory test would be incomplete
without the list

We found the following:




Potassium
Cyanide
Asbestos
Use a colon to introduce long or formal quotations

The president began: “In the last year…”
HYPHEN 
Use hyphens to form compound adjectives that
precede nouns


Use hyphens to form some compound nouns


One-half
Use hyphens to attach some prefixes and suffixes


Go-between
Use hyphens to form fractions and compound
numbers


General-purpose register
Post-1945
Use hyphens to divide a word at the end of a line
We will meet in the pavil ion in one hour

DASHES -To make a dash use two uninterrupted hyphens
 Use dash to set off a sudden change in thought or
tone.



Use dash to emphasize a parenthetical element


Ex: The committee found—can you believe this?—
that the company bore full responsibility for the
accident.
Ex: The managers’ reports—all 10 of them—
recommend production cutbacks for the coming year.
Use dash to set off an introductory series from its
explanation

Ex: Wet suits, weight belts, tanks—everything will
have to be shipped in.
QUOTATION MARKS “”

Used to indicate titles of short works.


Used to call attention to a word or phrase used in
an unusual way or in an unusual context.


Smith’s essay “Solar Heating Alternatives” was short
but informative.
A proposal is “wired” if the sponsoring agency has
already decided who will be granted the contract.
Used to indicate a direct quotation

“In the future,” he said, “check with me before
authorizing any large purchases.”
PARENTHESES ()

Used to set off incidental information.


Ex: Galileo (1564-1642) is often considered the father
of modern astronomy.
Used to enclose numbers and letters that label
items listed in a sentence

Ex: To transfer a call within the office, (1) place the
party on HOLD, (2) press TRANSFER, (3) press the
extension number, and (4) hang up.
APOSTROPHES ‘

Used to indicate possession.


Ex: the manager’s lounge
Used to form contractions
Ex: I’ve
 Shouldn’t
 It’s

AVOID RUN-ONS
In a run-on sentence, two independent clauses
appear together with no punctuation between
them.
 Can be corrected in the same three ways as a
comma splice.

HOMEWORK
Grammar Worksheet Packet
 Due 6/28
