by Sentenceworks
Sentence Structure
Sentence structure refers to the way we assemble the parts of a sentence. As there are so many parts, they must be properly ordered for them to make sense to the reader.Sentence Fragments
A fragment is created when a clause does not have both a subject and a predicate. Sometimes this happens if part of the main clause has become separated from the rest. If a sentence does not have a subject and a verb, consider re-wording it or connecting it to another full sentence. A period may have to be replaced with another form of punctuation.
Incorrect: I like many authors. Shakespeare, Stephen King and Charles Dickens.
The second sentence is a fragment because it is missing a verb. It can be connected to the main clause by putting “such as” in between the sentences, by putting a colon between the two sentences, or by adding a verb to the second clause: I like Shakespeare, Stephen King and Charles Dickens.
Incorrect: Big mess all over the room.
This is a sentence fragment because it does not have a verb. The sentence could be written: There was a big mess all over the room.
Incorrect: Feeling terrible he went to apologise to his neighbour.
The introductory phrase, “feeling terrible”, should be followed by a comma.
Starting A Sentence With A Conjunction
If a conjunction is used at the beginning of a sentence, the reader may be looking for an idea to connect to the sentence. While using a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence can add emphasis, it is an informal means of doing so, and is best avoided.
Incorrect: Many people fear crashing in an airplane. But riding in a car is actually more dangerous.
The second sentence could be connected to the first sentence, thus avoiding beginning a sentence with a conjunction: Many people fear crashing in an airplane, but riding in a car is actually more dangerous.
Incorrect: And when using the subjunctive, be sure to use it properly.
A sentence should not begin with a conjunction. “And” should be removed from this sentence.
N.B.
While the subject is a matter of debate, beginning a sentence with words like “however” and “on the other hand” is frequently frowned upon. It may be safer to connect the sentences with a semi-colon.
Incorrect: It was late at night. Nevertheless, she decided to walk home alone.
Correct: It was late at night; nevertheless, she decided to walk home alone.
Omitted Words: verbs
Each noun should have a verb describing what that subject is doing. Little words like “is” are often left out as typographical errors.
Incorrect: The cafeteria not really a good place to eat.
This sentence does not have a verb to modify the subject, “the cafeteria”. “Is” should be inserted between “cafeteria” and “not”.
Incorrect: What you want to eat?
This sentence is commonly heard in every day speech; to be grammatically correct, it requires another verb. The sentence should be written as “What do you want to eat?~~” It could also be written as “What would you like to eat?”
Incorrect: They going to the movies with you?
This sentence requires a form of the verb “to be”. It could be written as, “Are they going to the movies with you?” or “They are going to the movies with you?” The verb tense could also be changed to past or future: “Were they going to the movies with you?” or “Will they be going to the movies with you?”
Omitted Subject, “It” or “There”
A sentence must have a subject and a verb. The subject can be a noun (“cat”, “man”, “city”) or it can be an expletive which takes the place of something undefined. If the subject is undefined, the expletive we use can be “it” or “there”. “It” is used to discuss weather or temperature, time, distance or an environmental fact. If the sentence is inverted (i.e. the subject comes after the verb), “there” is often used before the verb.
Incorrect: Is cold in Canada.
In casual conversation, it may sound like this is the proper grammar. However, the sentence has no subject; we don’t know what is cold in Canada. If we’re talking about the general temperature, we should use “it”: It is cold in Canada.
Incorrect: Is cold in Canada?
Even when phrased as a question, “it” is required.
Correct: Is it cold in Canada?
Incorrect: Is too early in the morning.
The subject of this sentence is “too early in the morning”, but a pronoun is required before the verb “is”. “It” should be used: It is too early in the morning.
Incorrect: Is a coffee shop on the corner.
In this inverted sentence, “a coffee shop on the corner” is the subject. “There” should be used to demonstrate where it is: There is a coffee shop on the corner.