Constructing a good sentence

HOW TO CONSTRUCT A GOOD SENTENCE

To understand sentences, you must first understand clauses, which make up sentences. A clause is defined as a group of words containing both a subject and a verb.
Clauses can be independent or dependent.
  • An independent clause contains both a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a sentence.
  • A dependent clause contains both a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
    Dependent clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as because, that, what, while, who, which, although, if, etc.

Kinds of Sentences

There are three kinds of sentences:

 SIMPLE:
- A simple sentence consists of one main (or independent) clause. To be complete, a simple sentence must have at least one SUBJECT and one 'verb'.
- A simple sentence may also have a compound subject and/or a compound verb.

COMPOUND: 
- A compound sentence has at least two main (or independent) clauses, connected by coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Each clause has its own subject(s) and verb(s). The second clause should be separated from the first by a comma in front of the coordinating conjunction.

COMPLEX: 
- A complex sentence has one main (or independent) clause and one or more dependent (or subordinate) clauses.

Problems with Sentences

1. Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is not a complete sentence. It usually lacks either a subject or a verb, or both, or contains only a dependent clause. 
Example:
For example, three dogs and a goat. (no verb – what did the animals do?)
Studying too hard on weekends. (no subject – who was studying?)
Because I couldn’t find my shoes. (contains a subject and verb, but is a dependent clause)

2. Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence is one in which two or more independent clauses are inappropriately joined. Remember that the length of a sentence does not determine whether it is a run-on sentence: a sentence that is correctly punctuated and correctly joined can be extremely long. Two types of run-on sentences are fused sentences and sentences with comma splice errors.

 WAYS TO MAKE A GOOD SENTENCE
  1. Ensure the information within the sentence is clear.
  2. Make sure to use transitional words.
  3. Use care with subordinate clauses.
  4. Use active voice.
  5. Use active verbs.
  6. Follow grammar rules.
  7. There must be a subject, verb and a complete thought.
  8. Use active words.

VOCABULARY

SUBJECT - a thing or a person that is being discussed
                  - the person or thing that is being dealt with in a particular way

VERB - the action word in the sentence
           - one of the main parts of sentence

 SENTENCE - a group of words that expresses a statement, question, command and etc.
                     

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