complete sentences

Complete Sentences

• A complete sentence has three components:– a subject (the actor in the sentence) – a predicate (the verb or action), and – a complete thought (it can stand alone and make

sense—it's independent).

If a sentence does not have these three

components it is a FRAGMENT!

Run-On Sentences

• When you put two complete sentences (a subject and its predicate and another subject and its predicate) together in one sentence without separating them in any way. – Example: My favorite Mediterranean spread is

hummus it is very garlicky.

Ways to Correct Run-Ons• Use a semicolon:

– My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus; it is very garlicky.

• Use a comma and a conjunction:– My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, for it is very

garlicky. -OR- My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus, and it is very garlicky.

– My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus because it is very garlicky. -OR- Because it is so garlicky, my favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus.

• Make it into two separate sentences with a period in between:– My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus. It is very

garlicky.• Use a long dash for emphasis:

– My favorite Mediterranean spread is hummus—it is very garlicky.

You CANNOT simply add a comma between the two sentences, or

you'll end up with what's called a "comma

splice.”

Fragments/Run-Ons1. Although he had been an often decorated soldier during World War II and

had fought many battles for the losing cause of liberalism in Congress.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Run-on: put a comma after World War II.C. Run-on: put a semicolon after World War II.D. Fragment: put a comma after Congress and finish the sentence.

2. This is going to be the most difficult exam of your college career, you had better start studying for it immediately.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: put a comma after immediately and finish the sentence.C. Run-on: replace that comma with a semicolon.

Fragments/Run-Ons3. She ran.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: the sentence is too short and needs more details to be a complete thought.

4.Perplexed by the rising rates of inflation and alarmed by the decline in major construction projects.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Run-on: put a comma after inflation.C. Fragment: put a comma after projects and finish the sentence.

Fragments/Run-Ons5. Coach Espinoza really wants this job with Notre Dame University, she is very excited

about returning to the college she graduated from.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: put a comma after from and finish the sentence.C. Run-on: change that comma to a period and start a new sentence.

6. Right after the Christmas holidays and during those three weeks before class begins in January.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: put a comma after January and finish the sentence.C. Run-on: put a comma after holidays.

Fragments/Run-Ons7. Anabel realizes what she is doing, I think, but she doing it anyway.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: we're missing part of a verb.C. Run-on: change the comma after doing to a semicolon.

8. Professor Pepin spends a lot of time translating medieval texts on ancient medicine, however, he also stays informed about the latest developments in modern asthma treatments.

A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.B. Fragment: although this is a long sentence, it's missing part of a verb.C. Run-on: remove the verb from the second independent clause.D. Run-on: change the comma after medicine to a semicolon.

Fragments/Run-OnsGeorgia O’Keeffe became one of the best-loved American artists.

A. Fragment B. Run-On C. Sentence

Because she had an innovative style.


Works from charcoals to watercolors to pastels.A. Fragment B. Run-On C. Sentence

Fragments/Run-OnsO’Keeffe, feeling that her creations were personal, kept to herself.


Pulitzer owned the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he purchased the New York World in 1883.


Pulitzer planned four awards for journalism and four for letters more categories were added later.


Modifiers

Basic Principle: Modifiers are like teenagers: they fall in love with whatever they're next to. Make sure they're next to something they ought to modify!

Misplaced ModifiersSome modifiers, especially simple modifiers — only,

just, nearly, barely — have a bad habit of slipping into the wrong place in a sentence. In the sentence below, what does it mean to "barely kick" something?

ConfusionHe barely kicked that ball twenty yards.

How do you fix it? Move things in the sentence around.

Repair He kicked that ball barely twenty yards.

Misplaced Modifiers

Examples for Correction:

• Big Dog almost ran around the yard twenty times.

• He nearly ate a whole box of treats.

Misplaced Modifiers

In addition to simple modifiers being in the wrong place, sometimes an entire phrase can be in the wrong place. In the sentence below, was the library wearing a leather jacket?

ConfusionJosh walked to the library wearing a leather jacket.

How do you fix it? Move things in the sentence around.

RepairWearing a leather jacket, Josh walked to the library.

Misplaced Modifiers1. Which of the following sentences has a misplaced modifier?

A. He only talks about changing his habits. [Intended meaning: He only talks but does nothing else, like consulting a physician or psychiatrist, about changing his habits.] B. A dog appeared in my dreams that sang like an angel. C. The steak on the grill is hers. D. all of the above E. none of the above

2. Which of the following sentences has a misplaced modifier?

A. The dog bit only the mail carrier. [Intended meaning: The dog bit the mail carrier but didn't bite anyone else.] B. He talked too quickly. C. You should consider your options carefully. D. all of the above E. none of the above

Misplaced Modifiers

Identify which sentence is correct.

A. I almost listened to the whole album.B. I listened to almost the whole album.

A. He was staring at the girl wearing dark glasses by the vending machine.B. He was staring at the girl by the vending machine wearing dark glasses.

Misplaced ModifiersA. We read that Janet was married in her last letter.B. In her last letter, we read that Janet was married.

A. The faulty alarm nearly sounded five times yesterday.B. The faulty alarm system sounded nearly five times yesterday.

A. On the evening news, I heard that there was a revolution.B. I heard that there was a revolution on the evening news.

Dangling ModifiersWhen a modifier improperly modifies something, it is called a

"dangling modifier.“ In simpler terms, there is no subject (typically a person) performing the action. For instance, in the sentence below, we can't have a car changing its own oil.

ConfusionChanging the oil every 3,000 miles, the car seemed to run better.

How do you fix it? Add someone performing the action.

Repair Changing the oil every 3,000 miles, Fred found he could get much better gas mileage.

Dangling Modifiers1. Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

A. To raise a good dog, patience is useful. B. Moving slowly, Bowie stalked the rabbits. C. After eating the cat food, Bowie belched. D. all of the above E. none of the above

2. Which of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?

A. After washing my car, I waxed it. B. After talking with our veterinarian, I felt better about the prognosis. C. She called her boyfriend because she missed him. D. all of the above E. none of the above

Dangling/Misplaced ModifiersSleeping soundly, the alarm clock startled me with its harsh ringing.

A. I was sleeping soundly, so the alarm clock startled me with its harsh ringing.B. The alarm clock startled me with its harsh ringing, sleeping soundly.C. Sleeping soundly, the alarm clock with its harsh ringing startled me. D. No change.

Walking along the beach, a shell cut Harry’s foot.

A. As Harry was walking along the beach, he cut his foot on a shell.B. A shell cut Harry’s foot, walking along the beach.C. Walking along the beach, Harry’s foot was cut by a shell. D. No change

Dangling/Misplaced ModifiersA story was told to the children with a happy ending.

A. A story was told to the children that ended happily.B. A story with a happy ending was told to the children.C. I read the children a story with a happy ending.D. No change

A holiday was given to the employees with pay.A. A holiday was given to the paid employees.B. A holiday with pay was given to the employees.C. Mr. Bunch gave the employees a holiday with pay.D. No change

Dangling/Misplaced ModifiersHurrying through the last fifty pages, the book was fascinating.

A. The book was fascinating to me, so I hurried. B. I was fascinated with the book, so I hurried through the last fifty pages.C. The book was fascinating, hurrying through the last fifty pages. D. NO CHANGE

Each player on the team will receive a trophy that wins the tournament.

A. Each player on the team that wins the tournament will receive a trophy.B. The committee will award each player on the team a trophy that wins the tournament.C. Each player on the team will receive a trophy that wins the tournament from the committee. D. NO CHANGE

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement

Basic Principle: A pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text (its antecedent) and must agree in number — singular/plural — with the thing to which it refers.

The indefinite pronouns either, neither, anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular.

The need for pronoun-antecedent agreement can create gender problems.


1.A student in that all-women's college should have no fears about ________ future.

her their

2.Everybody in this class has completed ________ homework already.

his or her their

3.No one on this bus seems to know ______ way around this part of New York City.

their his or her


4. Either the classrooms or the auditorium must have _________ floor refinished.

their its

5. Every coat on this rack has outlived _________ usefulness.

its their

6. Tate George scored in the final two seconds, and the crowd roared ________ approval.

their its

Pronoun Reference1. Which of the following contains an error in the reference of a pronoun?

A. I studied very hard, which ought to help my score. B. I studied very hard, so this ought to help my score. C. I studied very hard, so that ought to help my score. D. All of the above E. None of the above

2. Which of the following contains an error in the reference of a pronoun?

A. She wrote an essay that attacks my thesis. B. She attacked my thesis, which provoked my counterattack. C. She attacked my thesis, which is that Flannery O'Connor was a racist. D. All of the above E. None of the above

Pronoun Reference3. Which of the following contains an error in the reference

of a pronoun?

A. My roommate wants to be a linguist, but I like her anyway. B. My roommate wants to be a linguist, which really astounds me since she isn't otherwise a boring person at all. C. My roommate wants to be a linguist, so I'm looking for a new roommate. D. All of the above E. None of the above

Pronoun Reference

4. Which of the following contains an error in the reference of a pronoun? A. If he would practice, it would help his game. B. If students want to improve, they must practice. C. If he practices, his game will improve. D. All of the above E. None of the above

5. Which of the following contains an error in the reference of a pronoun? A. Until you realize that the character is flawed, the reader empathizes with him. B. Until readers realize that the character is flawed, they empathize with him. C. Until they realize that the character is flawed, readers empathize with him. D. All of the above E. None of the above

Pronoun ReferenceAfter reviewing Roy’s painting and Elton’s sculpture,

the judges awarded his work the blue ribbon.

A. Roy’s B. theirC. there D. No change

One of the police officers turned in their badge today.

A. his or her B. thereC. they’re D. No change

Parallelism1. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.

Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.

Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

2. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.

In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.

In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.


Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.

Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph's.

Parallelism4. Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.

Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.

Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.


Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.

Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.

Parallelism

He learned three things: shooting, passing, and how to dribble.

A. dribbling. B. to dribble.C. dribbling skills. D. No change

Subject/Verb Agreement

Basic Principle: Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.

Examples: My brother is a nutritionist. My sisters are mathematicians.

Subject/Verb Agreement & Indefinite Pronouns

Anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, everybody are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs.

• Everyone has done his or her homework. • Somebody has left her purse. • Everybody is here

Neither and either are singular and require singular verbs even though they seem to be referring, in a sense, to two things.

• Neither of the two traffic lights is working. • Which shirt do you want for Christmas?

Subject/Verb Agreement & Indefinite Pronouns

All, some, none — are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to.

• Some of the beads are missing. • Some of the water is gone. • None of you claims responsibility for this

incident? • None of you claim responsibility for this

incident? Everyone has finished his or her homework.


• When nor or or is used the subject closer to the verb determines the number of the verb. – Either my father or my brothers are going to sell the house. – Neither my brothers nor my father is going to sell the

house.

• Exceptions:– The news from the front is bad. – Measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women.– My assets were wiped out in the depression. – The Miami Heat have been looking … ,

Subject/Verb Agreement1. Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator ____ going to have to make a decision.

is are

2. ____ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?

Is Are

3. Some of the votes __________ to have been miscounted.

seem seems

4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.

are is

5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.

have has

Subject/Verb Agreement6. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the basketball

court.

presents present

7. There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood.

have has

8. Some of the grain __________ to be contaminated.

appear appears

9. Three-quarters of the students __________ against the tuition hike.

is are

10. Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.

is are

Subject/Verb AgreementFossils (is, are) fascinating records of the past.

A. is B. are

Some ancient animals, such as dinosaurs, (was, were) huge.

A. was B. were

Fossil hunters (has found, have found) dinosaur remains around the world.

A. has found B. have found


Dinosaurs (was fixed, were fixed) in time in a number of ways.

A. was fixed B. were fixed

Fossil evidence (shows, show) that many dinosaurs died in a short period of time.

A. shows B. show


When pirates captured Cervantes, he is acquiring a somewhat different form of

education.A. acquired B. has acquiredC. had acquired D. No change

Des Moines are the capital of Iowa.A. is B. wasC. were D. No change

Active/Passive Voice• Verbs are also said to be either active (The executive

committee approved the new policy) or passive (The new policy was approved by the executive committee) in voice.

• In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the verb moves the sentence along.

• In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (The new policy was approved).

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/subjects.htm

Active/Passive Voice1. Before the semester was over, the new nursing program had

been approved by the Curriculum Committee and the Board of Trustees.

2. With five seconds left in the game, an illegal time-out was called by one of the players.

3. Later in the day, the employees were informed of their loss of benefits by the boss herself.

Active/Passive Voice

4. The major points of the lesson were quickly learned by the class, but they were also quickly forgotten by them.

5. For several years, Chauncey was raised by his elderly grandmother.

Active/Passive Voice6. An unexpected tornado smashed several homes and uprooted trees in a

suburb of Knoxville.

7. I was surprised by the teacher's lack of sympathy.

8. "The Yellow Wallpaper" was written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

9. Participants in the survey were asked about their changes in political affiliation.

10. Tall buildings and mountain roads were avoided by Raoul because he had such a fear of heights.

Active/Passive Voice

The outside walls were destroyed by a fire.

A. The outside walls of our house were destroyed by a fire.B. The outside walls are destroyed by fire.C. A fire destroyed the outside walls. D. NO CHANGE

Comparative/Superlative Adjectives

One of the most scariest rides at an amusement park is the roller coaster.

A. most scary B. more scaryC. scariest D. No change

Our candidate gave the most clearest answer.

A. most clear B. more clearC. clearest D. No change


Jamaal’s schedule was tighter than Fred.A. most tighest B. more tighterC. tighest D. No change

Lazy students in my class are most likeliest to fail.

A. most likely B. more likelyC. likeliest D. No change


The second movie was more funnier than the first one.

A. less funnier. B. funnier.C. most funnier. D. No change

Double NegativesYou can’t train no dog well unless you are patient and

consistent.

A. cannot train no dog B. can’t train any dogC. can train no dog D. No change.

I hadn’t never seen that many dogs in one place.

A. Had not never seen B. Had not seenC. Had not ever seen D. No change

Sentence StructureThe artist created miniature figurines, and his friend sold them

in his shop.

A. Simple B. Compound.C. Complex. D. Compound-Complex.

When he fell behind on the trail, Stephen wondered if he would lose sight of his group, but soon he caught up with them again.


Sentence StructureSolada, while mixing up the cookies, began to wonder

what she had done wrong because the dough looked strange.


The director of the play gave the actors advice.A. Simple B. Compound.C. Complex. D. Compound-Complex.

Sexist LanguageManagement does not always choose the best man for

the job.

A. woman B. personC. sales person D. No change

Are there any salesmen working in this department?

A. saleswomen B. salesmanC. sales people D. No change

Commonly Confused Words(Can, May) I please be excused now?

A. Can B. May

Older monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Egypt’s Sphinx often need (a lot, alot) of care.

A. alot B. a lot

Lonnie has (all ready, already) gathered enough firewood for the night.

A. all ready B. already

Commonly Confused WordsHercules was always (to, too, two) strong for the bad guys.

A. to B. too C. two

Please set the books on (your, you’re) desk.

A. your B. you’re

Alvin Ailey (could of, could have) just dreamed of being a famous choreographer.

A. could of B. could have

Commonly Confused WordsIt is (a, an) honor to be nominated for student council.

A. a B. an

He is smarter (than, then) you.

A. than B. then

We went to the store (than, then) to the school.

A. than B. then

Commonly Confused WordsThe dog chased (its, it’s) tail.

A. its B. it’s

The dog is made because (its, it’s) locked outside.

A. its B. it’s

Your book is over (their, there, they’re) on the nightstand.

A. their B. they’re C. there

Commonly Confused Words

In the book, (their, there, they’re) looking for lost treasure.


Did you go to the party at (their, there, they’re) house?


Commonly Confused WordsMs. Yu (accepted, excepted) my excuse for being late.

A. accepted B. excepted

Ailey (accepted, excepted) much praise and countless compliments for his creativity.

A. accepted B. excepted

You should (of, have) written sooner.

A. of B. have

complete sentences

Documents

new sentence

favorite mediterranean

comma splice

runon sentenceswhen

complete thought

world war

separate sentences

college career