Sentence Structure Errors
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Joshua TimothySentence Structure Errors
Uploaded by
Joshua TimothySentence Structure Errors
***Sentence structure errors make writing difficult to understand. When your readers can’t
follow what you are saying, your point gets lost. Effective structure creates clarity and
professionalism in your writing. Identifying the most common sentence structure errors is the
first step toward correcting them and avoiding them in your writing. ***
Run-on sentences
Run-on sentences, also known as fused sentences, occur when two independent clauses are
squashed together without using a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation.
a. She writes the music he plays the guitar.
How to fix a run-on sentence:
1. Separate the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
a. She writes the music, and he plays the guitar.
2. Separate the clauses with a period.
a. She writes the music. He plays the guitar.
3. Separate the clauses with a semi-colon if they are related.
a. She writes the music; he plays the guitar.
4. Turn a clause into a dependent clause.
a. She writes the music while he plays the guitar
Comma Splices
A comma splice consists of two or more independent clauses that follow one another and are
incorrectly linked together only with a comma (or commas).
a. I want to eat chocolate, I’m allergic.
How to fix a comma splice:
1. Add a coordinator after the comma if the clauses are related.
a. I want to eat it, but I’m allergic.
2. Turn one of the clauses into a dependent clause.
a. I want to eat it even though I’m allergic
3. Separate the clauses with a semicolon if they are closely related.
a. I want to eat it; however, I’m allergic.
4. Separate the clauses with a period.
a. I want to eat it. However, I’m allergic.
Exceptions
1. A comma splice is permissible in a series of three or more independent clauses if the last
two clauses are separated by “and, but,” or “or.”
a. Joe is hungry, Jim is thirsty, and I’m tired.
2. A comma splice may be used to separate a second clause which reverses a negative first
clause.
a. I didn’t do it, he did.
3. A comma splice is permissible if the writer is trying to be dramatic.
a. I came, I saw, I conquered.
Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is a word group that is incorrectly punctuated as if it were a complete
sentence. A sentence fragment lacks a subject, lacks a verb, or is a dependent clause. Sentence
fragments often begin with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.
a. While I waited for a bus.
b. Went to the meeting.
c. Jen entered the room. Closed the door.
d. She strong.
e. The boy who cried wolf
How to fix a sentence fragment:
1. Remove the subordinator or relative pronoun.
a. I waited for a bus.
2. Add an independent clause or finish the thought.
a. I texted Jim while I waited for a bus.
b. The boy who cried wolf was eaten.
3. Add a subject.
a. I went to the meeting.
4. Connect the fragment to the sentence.
a. Jen entered the room, closing the door behind her.
5. Add a verb.
a. She is strong.
***Now, mind you, when I say “add a verb”, I don’t mean any verb. For example, “The man
standing on the roof” is NOT a sentence. “Standing” is technically a verb, but it’s functioning as
an adjective. One way to turn that fragment into a sentence is to simply add a helping verb. ***
The man is standing on the roof.
Exceptions
1. Sentence fragments are acceptable in some types of writing, for stylistic or emphatic
purposes. They are used in creative writing, poetry, advertising and journalism.