IDENTIFYING AND PUNCTUATING THE MAIN TYPES OF SENTENCES

Sentence Structures Compound Sentences Complex Sentences Semicolons Run-on Commas/ Comma Splices Fragments Colons Parenthesis/Dashes Subject-Verb Agreement

Compound Sentences A compound sentence can be divided into two

parts, each of which can be separated by itself.

A compound sentence consists of at least two independent clauses joined together to form a single sentence.

(Each part of a compound must contain at least one subject and one verb. Therefore, each half of a compound sentence is a clause.

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.)

Compound Sentences There are several ways to join

independent clauses to form a compound sentence.

#1. Conjunctions Coordinating Conjunctions. FANBOYS Comma comes BEFORE the conjunction.

Practice Underline the subject once and the verbs twice

1. The President entered the room, and the band began to play “Hail to the Chief.”

2. She diets constantly, but her weight remains the same.

Construct compound sentences of your own, using the coordinating conjuctions listed below

__________________, and__________________________ __________________, but__________________________ __________________, for __________________________ __________________, or___________________________

Semicolons #2. Semicolon (;)

Use a semicolon (;) in place of both the comma and the coordinating conjunction.

She could not find her keys; they must have fallen somewhere.

Mark is always late for work; he oversleeps every morning.

#3. Conjunctive adverbs.Bob loved to surf; therefore, he lived near the beach.

Joe, however, liked to hike; he lived near the mountains.

Notice: that a semicolon is required between the clauses. A comma follows the conjunctive adverb.

Notice: that the conjunctive adverb is always “set off” with a comma, or two commas, in its own clause.

Conjunctive Adverbs

Also Anyway Besides Consequentl

y Finally

Furthermore Hence However Incidentally Indeed

Instead Likewise Meanwhile Moreover Nevertheles

s

Complex Sentences Contains both independent and dependent clauses. Every dependent clause begins with a subordinating

conjunction. If the dependent clause is the first clause in the

sentence, it is followed by a comma

Before she performed at the club, Stephanie welcomed her guests.

If the independent clause is first in the sentence, no comma is needed.

Stephanie welcomed her guests before she performed at the club.

Practice Punctuate the following sentences. Circle the

subordinating conjunction in each sentence, and draw a slanted line between clauses.

1. After we eat dinner we’re going to see a movie.

2. The child carries her teddy bear with her wherever she goes.

3. If it doesn’t rain the crops will be ruined.4. As soon as I finish painting my apartment I’ll

help you paint yours.

Run-on Sentences Failure to separate two independent clauses

i.e. I don’t play tennis well I have a poor backhand.

3 ways to correct run-on sentences:

1. Divide the run-on into 2 separate sentences ending with a period.

2. Change the run-on to a compound sentence by separating the clauses with coordinating conjunctions, a conjunctive adverb, or a semicolon.

3. Change the run-on to a complex sentence by placing a subordinating conjunction before one of the clauses.

Commas/ Comma Splices A comma splice consists of:

2 Independent clauses that are joined with just a comma when more punctuation is needed.

She is a full-time student, she works forty hours a week.

Bob needs a new car, he can’t afford to buy one now.

A comma by itself is not strong enough to separate independent clauses. (0nly periods and semicolons can do that).

Comma/ Comma Splices 3 ways to correct a comma splice

1. Divide the comma splice into 2 separate sentences.

Sue is a full-time student. She works forty hours a week.

2. Change the comma splice into a compound sentence by adding a coordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverb, or just a semicolon.

She is a full-time student, and she works forty hours a week.

3. Change the comma splice into a complex sentence by adding a subordinating conjunction.

Even though Sue is a full-time student, she works forty hours a week.

Fragments A group of words that do not create a complete

thought with a period on the end of it.

As you can see. These groups of words. Are fragments.

Wrong punctuation can create fragments.

Incorrect: As you can see; wrong punctuation may be confusing.Correct: As you can see, wrong punctuation may be confusing.

Fragments 2 types of fragments

1. Dependent clauses: it cannot stand alone so it must have an independent clause to be attached to. (If a semicolon or a period is used to join them it is still a fragment).

When we arrived at the theater; the movie had already begun.

2. Phrases (a group of words that do not contain both a subject and a verb).

Had seen that film.The children on the bus.

Practice Rewrite each fragment so that it

becomes a complete sentence.

The weather being much too cold for swimming.

Ate a pizza for lunch yesterday.

The candidate knowing that his lead would not hold.

The house damaged by the tornado.

Colons1. Introduce a list of items when introductory words

such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.

For ExampleYou may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.

I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.

I want an assistant who can do the following: (1) input data, (2) write reports, and (3) complete tax forms.

2. Should not precede a list unless it follows a complete sentence.

It is a stylistic choice.For Example:

If a waitress wants to make a good impression on her customers and boss, she should (a) dress appropriately, (b) calculate the bill carefully, and (c) be courteous to customers.  

There are three ways a waitress can make a good impression on her boss and her customers: (a) Dress appropriately. (b) Calculate the bill carefully. (c) Be courteous to customers.

3. Capitalization and punctuation are optional. Capitalize the first word and end each sentence with

proper ending punctuation if each bullet or numbered point is a complete sentence.

Be consistent. Examples

  The following are requested: (a) Wool sweaters for possible cold weather. (b) Wet suits for snorkeling. (c) Introductions to the local dignitaries.

ORThe following are requested: (a) wool sweaters for

possible cold weather (b) wet suits for snorkeling (c) introductions to the local dignitaries.

5. To introduce a direct quotation that is more than three lines.

Example: The author of Touched, Jane Straus, wrote in the first chapter:Georgia went back to her bed and stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the translucent glass of the overhead light. Her father was in “hyper mode” again where nothing could calm him down.

4. Between two sentences when the second sentence explains or illustrates the first sentence. If only one sentence follows the colon, do not

capitalize the first word of the new sentence.

If two or more sentences follow the colon, capitalize the first word of each sentence following.

Examples: I enjoy reading: novels by Kurt Vonnegut are among my favorites.

6. Follow the salutation of a business letter Never use a semicolon after a salutation. A comma is used after the salutation for

personal correspondence. Example: Dear Ms. Rodriguez:I regret to inform you that you have been denied.

Parenthesis De-emphasizes the words they separate. Encloses brief explanations or

interruptions. Contain part of a sentence or a whole

sentence. I demanded a reasonable sum ($10.50 an

hour), and they met my request. Polly's last movie disappointed both fans

and critics. (See the attached reviews.)

Parenthesis Put punctuation after the parenthesis if it

is part of a sentence. Put the period inside the parenthesis if it

is a complete sentence. Notice: Don't capitalize or use a period

when parentheses enclose a sentence within a sentence.

Be sparing

Dashes Highlights the part of the sentence Shows an abrupt change of thought mid-

sentence Connect a fragment to a sentence.

Alberta Hunter--still singing at the age of eighty--performed nightly at The Cookery in New York City.

At night the forest is magical and fascinating--and yet it terrifies me.

Living the high life--that's what I want.

Dashes Show hesitation in dialogue.

“What--What will happen now?” the child asked.

Dashes are very handy Can replace a period, comma, colon, or semicolon. Usually informal, so don't use many--or you will

seem to have dashed off your paper.

When you type, two hyphens make a dash (--) Do not space before or after the dash.

Subject-Verb Agreement A sentence must include both a subject

and a verb. Actor + Action He ran

Subject = Actor Noun – person, place, or thing Pronoun – he, she, it

Gerund – verbs turned into a noun using –ing Listening is difficult for children Dieting makes me hungry

Imperatives - Commands Wash the dishes! (Subject is implied you) Do your homework!

Words that are not a subject Adjectives – words that describe a noun

The tall boy runs well Subject is “boy” not “tall boy”

Possessive pronouns – shows ownership My dog has fleas

Subject / Verb Agreement Verbs = Action

Action words Tom ran over to the church

To be verbs – is, was, are, were, been Susan is happy

Linking verbs – seem, feel, become

Tense – shows present, past, future

Words that are not verbsInfinitives – words that combine –to with a verb

He plans to swim later

Adverbs – words that describe a verb Commonly end with –ly

The man ran quickly Not, never, or very

Practice Underline the subject once and the verb

twice.

That man won the contest yesterday.

The ancient horse slowly pulled the cart.