Sentence Structure
What is Sentence Structure?
An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or does not express a complete thought.
Key points
- Identify the subject and verb in a sentence.
- Differentiate between phrases and clauses.
- Recognize and construct different sentence types (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex).
- Correct common errors in sentence structure.
Common exam trap
Sentence fragments (incomplete sentences).
Definitions
- Term
Sentence Fragment
- Meaning
An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or does not express a complete thought.
- Term
Run-on Sentence
- Meaning
Two or more independent clauses joined incorrectly, either without any punctuation or with only a comma (comma splice).
- Term
Independent Clause
- Meaning
A group of words containing a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
- Term
Dependent Clause
- Meaning
A group of words containing a subject and a verb that does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence; it relies on an independent clause.
- Term
Modifier
- Meaning
A word, phrase, or clause that provides description or additional information about another word in the sentence.
Learning objectives
Identify the subject and verb in a sentence.
Differentiate between phrases and clauses.
Recognize and construct different sentence types (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex).
Correct common errors in sentence structure.
Understand how sentence structure affects meaning and clarity.
Prerequisites
Parts of Speech (Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Interjections).
Basic Verb Tenses.
Understanding of Clauses and Phrases.
Common mistakes
Sentence fragments (incomplete sentences).
Run-on sentences (two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunction).
Comma splices (joining two independent clauses with only a comma).
Misplaced or dangling modifiers.
Incorrect subject-verb agreement within complex structures.
Keywords
Sentence Structure
Subject-Verb Agreement
Clauses
Phrases
Sentence Types
Grammar
Syntax
Sentence Correction
Fragments
Run-ons
Practice preview
Identify the type of sentence: 'The cat slept on the mat, and the dog barked at the door.'…
medium
Which sentence is an example of a complex sentence?…
medium
Which of the following is a simple sentence?…
easy