PACKET 5, Part 1 SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND SENTENCE ERRORS SENTENCE STRUCTURE:

A. Simple Sentence - a sentence that has one subject and one verb. It consists of one and only one independent clause. Example: John joined the Marines.

B. Compound Sentence - a sentence that contains two or more simple sentences, usually joined by a comma and a connecting word or by a semicolon. Examples: He called the children to supper, but they could not hear him. He called the children to supper; they could not hear him.

C. Complex Sentence - a sentence that has one independent clause and one or more (dependent clauses.) Example: (Although it snowed,) the schools were still opened.

COMMA USAGE:
A. Compound and Complex Sentences Examples: Melissa mailed the invitations, but she forgot to provide a return address. (compound) (Since her doctor's appointment was canceled,) Jane decided to stay in bed. (complex)

B. Interrupters Examples: The three boys, on the other hand, enjoyed the movie. Jason participates in several sports, such as tennis and golf, in his spare time. Mr. White, as well as his students, watched the shuttle launch from his classroom.

C. Transitional Expressions Examples: Consequently, the school bus was sent to the garage for repairs. My cat has pneumonia; however, she seems to be recovering rapidly. We decided to go, nevertheless.

D. Introductory Words and Phrases Examples: Under the bridge near the highway, the city is building a new sewer drain. While playing in the street, the children occasionally irritated the taxi drivers. Luckily, the storm ended before the river overflowed its banks.

E. Series Examples: The boys, the girls, and their parents attended the graduation party. We were playing the piano, singing songs from old movies, and dancing the jitterbug.
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SENTENCE ERRORS:
A. Fragment - incomplete sentence. Example: When Bob flew his plane.

B. Comma Splice - incorrectly joining two separate sentences with only a comma. Example: Tom ran to the store, he needed to buy shoes.

C. Run-on - incorrectly joining two separate sentences with no punctuation mark. Example: Tom ran to the store he needed to buy shoes.

Read and complete all exercises in this packet. Take test for Packet 5.
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
A. THE SIMPLE SENTENCE

A simple sentence is a sentence having one subject and one verb, either or both of which may be compound. A simple sentence consists of one and only one independent clause. All of the following sentences are simple sentences, but some have compound subjects or verbs. The last sentence has both a compound subject and a compound verb. John joined the Navy. John and Fred joined the Marines. Mary sang and played at the concert. Mary and Jane sang and played at the concert. Note that a compound subject does not mean two subjects. It means that one subject is made up of two or more nouns or pronouns. A compound verb does not mean two verbs. It means that one verb is made up of two or more verbs or verb phrases. EXERCISE 1: Draw one line under the subject nouns or pronouns. Draw two lines under the verbs or verb phrases. On the line to the right, indicate whether the subject or the verb is compound by writing S or V. Example: Mary and Don did the proofreading. S 1. _________ 2. _________ 3. _________
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1. The boys swept the walks and mowed the lawn. 2. Harry and Jim built a canoe. 3. The stenographer wrote the letters and mailed them.
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4. The president and the manager interviewed the candidates for the position. 4. _________ 5. Paper, pencils, and erasers were piled on the top of the desk. 6. Snow and ice covered the ground and made driving difficult. 7. Either Charles or Henry will conduct the meeting. 8. The money and the bonds were taken out of the safe. 9. I sold my old car and purchased another. 10. The men and the women worked overtime. B. THE COMPOUND SENTENCE 5. _________ 6. _________ 7. _________ 8. _________ 9. _________ 10. ________

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses. The independent clauses of a compound sentence must be joined in some way to indicate that the independent clauses form one sentence. When you put two independent clauses or two simple sentences together to form one longer sentence, you have a compound sentence. John joined the Navy. (simple sentence) Harry joined the Marines. (simple sentence) If you join these two simple sentences in order to make a compound sentence, you have the problem of punctuation and the problem of using a conjunction or joining word. The following sentence shows one way in which two simple sentences might be joined to form one compound sentence. John joined the Navy, but Harry joined the Marines. (comma and conjunction) The conjunctions or joining words are the following: but or nor so and for yet

EXERCISE 1: Change the two simple sentences into a compound sentence by removing the period and adding a comma and a joining word. 1. Arthur washed our new car. Ned polished it.

2. I may consider your plan. I may disregard it.

3. I did not seek the position. I do want it.

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4. Michael likes tennis. He prefers to play golf.

5. Jack went to bed early. He was very tired.

Another way to join two simple sentences is by using a semicolon. When using a semicolon, a conjunction or joining word is not used. John joined the Navy; we joined the Marines. NOTE: The word following a semicolon is never capitalized unless it is a proper noun. My sister flew to Mexico; she is on a vacation. Mr. Smith owns the bakery; Mr. Jones owns the drugstore.

EXERCISE 2.

Change the two simple sentences into a compound sentence by removing the period and replacing it with a semicolon. Remember, the word following the semicolon should not be capitalized unless it is a proper noun.

1. The leopard was running. Ed ran faster.

2. Harold tried his best. His best was not enough.

3. Rita spoke no Turkish. The Turks spoke no English.

4. Sara didn't like the offer. It was better than nothing.

5. The telephone rang. Mrs. Talley ignored it.

REVIEW OF SIMPLE AND COMPOUND SENTENCES

EXERCISE 1: On the line to the right, indicate whether the sentence is a simple sentence or a compound sentence. Underline the independent clauses in the compound sentences. Write an S for simple and a CD for compound. 1. Jack and Ned built the garage and painted it. 2. We located the cabin, but the owner was not there.
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1. _____ 2. _____
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3. The architect made the plans, and the contractor carried them out. 4. Both the man and the boy were honored for bravery. 5. Eat nourishing food, or you may become anemic. 6. Neither the speaker nor the soloist has arrived. 7. The wind blew; the rain fell in torrents. 8. We must finish the job, or we must give up the contract. 9. We found the manuscript, but it was not complete. 10. Obey the traffic lights, or the officer will give you a ticket. 11. Philip receives a commission; I work on a salary basis. 12. We met the general in Italy, and we met him again in New York.

3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____ 7. _____ 8. _____ 9. _____ 10. _____ 11. _____ 12. _____

C. THE COMPLEX SENTENCE A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. In the following examples, independent clauses are underlined. Examples: 1. The telephone book, which has many pages, has relatively few errors. 2. Even though rain fell for a while, the game continued. 3. The boys ordered the pizza after the test was completed.

The various kinds of sentence structure can be demonstrated by a diagram. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE 1 2 OR MORE 1 DEPENDENT CLAUSE 0 0 1 OR MORE

SIMPLE COMPOUND COMPLEX

TIPS FOR IDENTIFYING TYPES OF SENTENCES

1. 2. 3. 4. Take out all prepositional phrases. Look for a semicolon or a comma and a joining word - COMPOUND SENTENCE Look for and underline dependent clauses - COMPLEX SENTENCE If there are no semicolons, no commas and joining words, and no dependent clauses, it is a SIMPLE SENTENCE

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In the following two exercises, label each of the following sentences: S (simple), CD (compound), or CX (complex). In the compound sentences, circle the comma and joining word or semicolon. In the complex sentences, underline the dependent clause. EXERCISE 1: ______ 1. Over the river and through the woods to grandfathers house we go. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 2. Wesley must raise his grades, or the school will suspend him. 3. Sybil always carries a briefcase when she calls on clients. 4. The sharp oyster shells protruding from the mud were a hazard to barefooted persons. 5. Dan put too much liquid starter on the charcoal, and the flames leaped dangerously high. 6. The Buccaneers must win tomorrow, or they will lose the championship. 7. Mother sewed new cases for the pillows on the couch. 8. When the jam was unlocked, the logs began to move. 9. My neighbor returned from vacation a week early because of illness.

_____ 10. The radio announcer played the songs which were requested. _____ 11. The sisters who sing in the choir will appear on television in the fall. _____ 12. While driving his car on Main Street, Dad witnessed the accident. _____ 13. Our neighbor invited us to the party, but we were unable to attend. _____ 14. The boys who won celebrated after their victory. _____ 15. During the night, the dog that was sick died from complications. _____ 16. After completing the test, I handed it to the teacher. _____ 17. The old building that burned to the ground will be rebuilt next year. _____ 18. After the track meet, the team that lost congratulated the members of the winning team. _____ 19. The swimmers practiced for three hours each day, but they still could not improve their speed. _____ 20. Bob replaced the window that was broken at the Christmas party.

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EXERCISE 2: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 1. As the day begins, the sounds of hungry gulls can be heard across the distant ocean. 2. The deep blue water, which is completely calm in the stillness of the dawn, appears as a mirage. 3. In the far distance, a small boat can be seen by the people who are on the beach. 4. On this particular morning, however, the sun is shining brightly, and the sky is a deep blue. 5. The sails are set but remain motionless in the light morning breeze, and the boat does not move against the current. 6. Soon the dawn bursts into the brightness of a new day and turns the sky from a brilliant orange to a deep blue. 7. The boats that were sheltered in the harbor rocked gently. 8. As the storm approached, the sailors listened to the radio bulletins. 9. With the rising winds came the drenching rain which resulted in minor flooding. 10. Morning came at last, and the damage was surveyed.

_____

_____ _____ _____ ____

_____ 11. Last June a powerful tropical storm swept the coast. _____ 12. It was not named; nevertheless, it was much like a hurricane. _____ 13. The storm came on suddenly and caused much destruction in a few short hours. _____ 14. Many palms were broken while others emerged bare after the storm savagely beat the area. ____ 15. Subsequently, the residents who lived near the coast made hurricane provisions for the season beginning June first. 16. Some shopkeepers taped their windows to prevent the glass from shattering when the storm struck.

____

_____ 17. On the night that the storm was closing in on the coast, residents went to bed hoping to catch a few hours sleep. _____ 18. Now residents make long term plans for safety precautions. _____ 19. The next storm to threaten the area was Hurricane Alberto; people bought canned goods, flashlights, batteries, and bottled water in preparation for the storm. _____ 20. The hurricane swerved away from the coast before it hit land.
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EXERCISE 3: Write sentences for each of the following types of sentences. A. Simple sentences (2) - one with a prepositional phrase 1. 2. B. Compound sentences (2) - one with a semicolon and one with comma and conjunction 1. 2. C. Complex sentences (3) - one with introductory DC, one with ending DC, one with DC in the middle using who, that, or which 1.

2.

3.

COMMA USAGE
A. COMMAS IN COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES Use a comma before the conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) which connects the parts of a compound sentence. Example: The airplane took off on time, and we soon lost sight of it.

Use a comma to set off a dependent clause which comes first in a complex sentence. Example: Although Mike giggled, Sue was solemn.

EXERCISE 1: Insert commas where needed. 1. 2. 3. 4. Since Liz chose the restaurant she will suggest the best selections from the menu. Before class starts you should study your notes. He never bakes on weekends nor does he use the stove at all. Although I painted the fence it chipped and peeled in the winter cold.
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5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Your guidance counselor can help you when you have a problem. I saw the time but did not pay any attention to it. Mr. Montalvo left the hospital for his doctors had dismissed him. After Iris arrived the party began. The dog attacked Troy but Troy was not badly hurt.

10. The twins will see their favorite babysitter for their parents are going out to dinner. 11. Tom turned off the television because he was going to bed. 12. Many of the parents and kids left and only the teachers remained. 13. When Mrs. Jones flew to Mexico in July she was reunited with her son. 14. If it rains the picnic will be postponed until Sunday. 15. Helen was a popular girl in the freshman class but Sue wasnt. 16. We studied for the test yet we failed anyway. 17. Unless you are finished sit and complete your homework. 18. Kathy had promised that he could have the old tennis racquet and she did not forget her promise. 19. Although my aunt could not swim she was not afraid of the water. 20. Each of the contestants wanted to be chosen the most beautiful and each of them was nervous. B. INTERRUPTERS Use commas to set off expressions which interrupt a sentence. Examples: You are, of course, planning to attend. Some Americans, however, use chopsticks improperly. We enjoy different types of food, such as Chinese or Mexican, when we dine out.

EXERCISE 1: Insert commas where needed. 1. The report on cancer research in fact was very informative. 2. Hercules of course is an interesting constellation. 3. Studying for exams is in my opinion a worthwhile task. 4. It takes some imagination however to pick out some of the stars.
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5. The new book for example is hard to understand. 6. The Scorpion on the other hand is quite clearly outlined. 7. 8. Astronomy I think is a fascinating science. Many constellations in fact are visible in the summer.

9. On a summer night for instance you can view the Scorpion and the Serpent. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. We should not to be sure overlook the Milky Way. Bob tried new activities such as hiking and jogging while on vacation. The accident I guess was unavoidable. Mom loved to cook Italian food especially ravioli for the holidays. Many students I am told do not study sufficiently for their exams. He forgot to pack some necessary items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste for his trip. Some of the guests at the party especially the children were bored. Their parents consequently grounded them for a week. We will go nevertheless to visit the museum on Fifth Avenue. The teacher on the contrary was very pleased with the results. He was told moreover never to return.

C. COMMAS, SEMICOLONS, AND TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS Some transitional expressions are often used to link the thoughts of a compound sentence. Some of the more commonly used expressions are written below. in fact however in spite of otherwise finally likewise therefore consequently on the other hand for example nevertheless accordingly

When the compound sentence is punctuated with a semicolon, transitional expressions will often appear after it. When this occurs, there are certain comma rules which apply: 1. If the transitional expression appears immediately after the semicolon, a comma must follow the expression. Examples: Ed didnt like the offer; however, it was better than nothing. Mr. Flanders wanted to visit Europe; as a result, he made reservations for a trip to France.
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2.

If the transitional expression appears as an interrupter, commas are used to set off the expression. Examples: Ed didn't like the offer; it was, however, better than nothing. Mr. Flanders wanted to visit Europe; he, as a result, made reservations for a trip to France.

3.

If the transitional expression appears at the end of the compound sentence, a comma is placed before the expression. Examples: Ed didn't like the offer; it was better than nothing, however. Mr. Flanders wanted to visit Europe; he made reservations for a trip to France, as a result.

*Two transitional words, then and still, are rarely set off by commas. Examples: The mayor introduced the speaker; then he sat down. Mary was ill with the flu; still she went to school.

DO NOT confuse these words with the conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), which have commas before them when they are used to link the thoughts of a compound sentence.

EXERCISE 1: Punctuate the following sentences. 1. The road was unpaved we drove on in the rain nevertheless. 2. I cannot miss the boat otherwise I will not arrive on time. 3. The president introduced the speaker then he sat down. 4. Ethel was sick she had in fact one of her usual colds. 5. We arrived early as a result we had time to visit with our friends. 6. We cannot get materials consequently we cannot finish the job. 7 . I became tired of doing his work I had moreover my own work to do. 8. I did not dislike the play on the contrary I enjoyed it immensely. 9. Sometimes I finish my homework early often however it takes me all night. 10. Joann decided to attend the conference she therefore made plane reservations.

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EXERCISE 2: Punctuate the following. Note that some of these compound sentences use a joining word requiring a comma, not a semicolon. 1. We have lost a battle nevertheless we shall not surrender. 2. You must take care of yourself or you will have to see a doctor. 3. He refused to study for the test the teacher therefore failed him. 4. Dan searched for the Indians but broken twigs were all he found. 5. I went to the museum then I drove to the library. 6. Mr. and Mrs. Brook were very excited for their son had just won. 7. Ed tried to prepare for the exam he studied in fact more than I did. 8. Peggy wants to be a musician she is quite deaf however. 9. I intend to visit my aunt in Ohio for she will be one hundred. 10. Bobby was nervous about his operation still he acted bravely. D. INTRODUCTORY WORDS AND PHRASES Words - a comma is used to set off any introductory word which requires a pause in a sentence. Examples: Later, I went for a walk. Unfortunately, I failed the final.

Prepositional Phrases - a comma is placed after two prepositional phrases or one long prepositional phrase used to introduce a sentence. (It is optional after one prepositional phrase.) Examples: (At noon) (on Monday morning), we will leave. (On a beautiful and sunny Monday morning), we left. (At noon) it was very hot. (comma optional)

Other Phrases - a comma is used to set off a phrase which comes at the beginning of a sentence. Examples: To be sure, we shall visit you again. Walking very quickly, she tripped on the sidewalk. While giving his speech, Mr. Jones stared at me.

EXERCISE 1: Correctly punctuate the following sentences. 1. 2. Trying to be helpful Jan made things worse. Since moving to Florida I have learned how to water-ski.
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3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Naturally we expect to win. Later we will attend the concert in the park. Sobbing uncontrollably Peter could not speak. For six months during this past year she suffered from back pain. By the way what are you doing tonight? Of course I agree with your views. Because of the flood our living room rugs have to be replaced. Warbling in its cage the little canary greeted us each day. For instance you may wish to try skiing. In October of 1988 we will travel to Europe. Laughing hysterically the boy fell off the couch. At last we finished the long journey. While taking his final exam the student fell asleep. Blowing up the balloon Frank looked like a fat-cheeked elf. Near the boathouse at the lake James found a locket. Thinking quickly Jeanne delivered the argument that won the debate. Tired of his independence Sylvester came home. Looking for shelter the hungry and tired settlers stumbled along. After singing the song the children bowed and ran offstage. Often there are different answers to a question. Before leaving class Mr. Thomas gave us an assignment. Angered by the constant ringing of the phone Inez took off the receiver. Indeed I agree that Kelly is the better musician.

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E. COMMAS IN A SERIES A comma is used to separate words in a series. The series may be words, phrases, or clauses. Examples: We enjoy mathematics, music, and art. He ran into the woods, down the valley, and over the bridge. She knew what he said, why he said it, and when he said it.

EXERCISE 1: Place commas to separate items in a series. 1. The whole department wondered whether Mrs. Louis would come what she would say and how she would act.

2. My father travels by train airplane and boat. 3. Hot dogs potato chips ice cream and milk are sold at each game. 4. Jim shined his shoes pressed his trousers and rented a white coat. 5. The crowd cheered the singer the orchestra and the dancers. 6. The old tired and blind man sat on the curb. 7. Maria Ricardo Tomas and Nita went to the movies. 8. The four seasons are summer autumn winter and spring. 9. Shall we meet in Room 11 the office or the auditorium? 10. Alvin didn't let snow wind rain or sleet deter him in his deliveries. 11. The parts of a business letter are the date inside address greeting body closing and signature. 12. Ted planned to have chicken peas potatoes salad and cake for dinner. 13. Diane strode to the end of the room turned around and slammed her books on the desk. 14. The committee chose George Alice and Helen to plan the evening. 15. She grabbed her coat ran for the door and rushed down the hall. 16. I want to know where you've been what you were doing and why you left in such a hurry. 17. Salt pepper and mustard were on the table. 18. Two captains a lieutenant and ten civilians attended the ceremony 19. A pilot must learn to climb bank roll and stall a plane. 20. Washing the clothes vacuuming the house and dusting the furniture are chores that I do each week.
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PACKET 5, Part II SENTENCE ERRORS

A. THE SENTENCE FRAGMENT

A sentence expresses a complete thought. When only a part of a sentence is written with a capital letter at the beginning and a period or question mark or exclamation point at the end, the result is a sentence fragment. A fragment is a part of a sentence and does not express a complete thought but has been punctuated as a complete sentence. In each of the following examples, the sentence fragments are underlined. If you read only the fragments aloud, you will notice that they sound incomplete. Fragments - Women in the civil rights movement are well known. Including Mary McLeod Bethune and Mary Church Terrell. Antonia Brico gained fame. When she conducted the first all-female orchestra in the 1930's. Detecting Fragments: If your ear leads you to suspect that you have written a sentence fragment, there are two tests that you can use to be certain. First, look for a subject and a verb. If you do not find both, you have a fragment. Examples of FRAGMENTS: Including Mary McLeod Bethune and Mary Church Terrell. With great concentration and determination.

Neither of these examples has a subject or a verb. (The word including can be a part of a verb phrase, but it is never a verb by itself.) If the suspected fragment has both a subject and a verb, a second test can be applied. Ask yourself whether the group of words expresses a complete thought. Separated from the rest of its sentence, the fragment below does not make sense by itself. The reader wonders what happened "when she conducted the first all-female orchestra in the 1930's." FRAGMENT - When she conducted the first all-female orchestra in the 1930's. (she is the subject; conducted is the verb.) EXERCISE 1: In the blank to the left, place either an S for sentence or an F for fragment. ______ 1. In the center ring of the circus. ______ 2. When the clown came on. ______ 3. The ringmaster was smartly dressed. ______ 4. On a wire stretched high above our heads.
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