Sentence Construction Problems
Definitions and Examples
Building a good sentence is much like building anything else. You
must begin with all the right materials, assemble them correctly, and test for structural
defects before you consider the job done. This page will discuss a few of the most common
sentence structure problems and ways to correct them in order to make your sentences
structurally sound and effective.
Fragments
A fragment is only part of a sentence. Something is
missing in a fragment that keeps the sentence from being complete. Sometimes
it is the verb or a helping verb, as in this example: She
going to get the kids.
[ The helping verb "is" or "was" is missing after the
subject. Without it, it is impossible to tell whether the sentence is in present
or past tense.]
Sometimes it is the subject that is left out. For example: Going
to get the kids. [Who is going to get the kids? We can't tell from this
fragment.]
Sometimes a fragment seems to have both a subject and a verb but
it still doesn't make sense. Something is missing. You can usually recognize this type of
fragment because it leaves you hanging. For example: When they left. [What
happened when they left? There isn't enough information provided to complete the thought.]
We often talk in fragments, especially when we are responding to
another person. However, unless you are writing dialogue between two characters, you
should probably avoid fragments in college writing. As always, there are exceptions to the
rule and you may notice some instances of fragments in some of your literature or even in
your textbooks. When you become very skilled, you will learn when it is all right to
include a fragment to make a point. Until then, try to avoid them.
Usually, the easiest way to correct a fragment is to
connect it to the sentence before or after it. Often the fragment is actually
a phrase or clause that belongs to another sentence. For example
Using all of her strength. Mary managed to move the heavy
desk.
This is incorrect because the part before the first period is a
fragment. It doesn't make sense on its own. Correct this by joining the fragment
"Using all of her strength" to the sentence after it. See how they need each
other to make a complete thought. Corrected:
Using all of her strength, Mary managed to move the heavy
desk.
Comma Splices
A comma splice is simply two independent clauses with
only a comma between them. An independent clause is a complete thought. It could stand on
its own as a sentence and make complete sense. When it is connected with only a comma to
another independent clause, it become a comma splice. Example:
The delivery man was late, we decided not to wait any
longer for him.
In this example, The delivery man was late is a
complete thought. We decided not to wait any longer for him is also a
complete thought. Either part could stand alone as a sentence.
Run-togethers or Fused Sentences
A run-together (also called a fused sentence) is only a little
different from a comma splice. It, too, is an incorrect joining of two independent
clauses. Instead of joining the two clauses together with a comma, a run-together simply
runs them together (get it?) with nothing in between--no comma, no period. This
is still a mistake. Remember: independent clauses must be connected by something
(but not just a comma).
Using an example, I will demonstrate several ways to fix comma
splices and run-togethers. (In English, there is always more than one way to write
something correctly. The key is recognizing the errors. Fixing them is the easy part.)
- Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Marsha got a big raise, for her work was excellent.
- Make one of the clauses dependent.
Because her work was excellent, Marsha got a big raise.
- Use a semicolon between the clauses.
Marsha got a big raise; her work was excellent.
- Make each clause a separate sentence.
Martha got a big raise. Her work was excellent.
Choose any of these ways to correct either a comma splice or a
run-on. Sometimes, one way works better than the others. Try them and pick the one you
like best. Try to vary your sentence construction so you don't end up with a whole bunch
of short, choppy sentences. Be creative, but be careful. Don't fix a run-on by turning it
into a comma splice. Remember, you cannot join two independent clauses with only a
comma.
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