Grammar Notes Structural Errors

Grammar Notes Structural Errors

Sentence Fragments Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence. Below are some examples with the fragments shown in red. Punctuation and/or words added to make corrections are highlighted in blue. Notice that the fragment is frequently a dependent clause or long phrase that follows the main clause. Fragment:Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. Possible Revision: Purdue offers many majors in engineering, such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

Fragment: Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving her team at a time when we needed her. Possible Revision: Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her team at a time when we needed her.

Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Possible Revision: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn't working out too well.

Fragment: The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands. Which is why we believe the proposed amendments should be passed. Possible Revision: Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands, we believe the proposed ammendments should be passed.

You may have noticed that newspaper and magazine journalists often use a dependent clause as a separate sentence when it follows clearly from the preceding main clause, as in the last example above. This is a conventional journalistic practice, often used for emphasis. For academic writing and other more formal writing situations, however, you should avoid such journalistic fragment sentences.

Some fragments are not clearly pieces of sentences that have been left unattached to the main clause; they are written as main clauses but lack a subject or main verb. No main verb Fragment: A story with deep thoughts and emotions. Possible Revisions: o Direct object: She told a story with deep thoughts and emotions. o Appositive: Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," a story with deep thoughts and emotions, has impressed critics for decades.

 Fragment: Toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Possible Revisions: o Complete verb: Toys of all kinds were thrown everywhere. o Direct object: They found toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Fragment: A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired. Possible Revisions: o Direct object: I've noticed a record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired o Main verb: A record of accomplishment began when you were first hired.

No Subject Fragment: With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. Possible Revisions: o Remove preposition: The ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. Fragment: By paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies. Possible Revisions: o Remove preposition: Paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies. Fragment: For doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired. Possible Revisions: o Remove preposition: Doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired. o Rearrange: Phil got fired for doing freelance work for a competitor. These last three examples of fragments with no subjects are also known as mixed constructions, that is, sentences constructed out of mixed parts. They start one way (often with a long prepositional phrase) but end with a regular predicate. Usually the object of the preposition (often a gerund, as in the last two examples) is intended as the subject of the sentence, so removing the preposition at the beginning is usually the easiest way to edit such errors.

(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/)

Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept. Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV. "Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. In English sentences, the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows. In this sentence, it is Jill. She seems logically to be the one doing the action ("having finished"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier. The following sentence has an incorrect usage: Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on. "Having finished" is a participle expressing action, but the doer is not the TV set (the subject of the main clause): TV sets don't

finish assignments. Since the doer of the action expressed in the participle has not been clearly stated, the participial phrase is said to be a dangling modifier. Strategies for revising dangling modifiers: 1. Name the appropriate or logical doer of the action as the subject of the main clause: Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed. Who arrived late? This sentence says that the written excuse arrived late. To revise, decide who actually arrived late. The possible revision might look like this: Having arrived late for practice, the team captain needed a written excuse. The main clause now names the person (the captain) who did the action in the modifying phrase (arrived late). 2. Change the phrase that dangles into a complete introductory clause by naming the doer of the action in that clause: Without knowing his name, it was difficult to introduce him. Who didn't know his name? This sentence says that "it" didn't know his name. To revise, decide who was trying to introduce him. The revision might look something like this: Because Maria did not know his name, it was difficult to introduce him. The phrase is now a complete introductory clause; it does not modify any other part of the sentence, so is not considered "dangling." 3. Combine the phrase and main clause into one: To improve his results, the experiment was done again. Who wanted to improve results? This sentence says that the experiment was trying to improve its own results. To revise, combine the phrase and the main clause into one sentence. The revision might look something like this: He improved his results by doing the experiment again. More examples of dangling modifiers and their revisions: Incorrect: After reading the original study, the article remains unconvincing. Revised: After reading the original study, I find the article unconvincing.

Incorrect: Relieved of your responsibilities at your job, your home should be a place to relax. Revised: Relieved of your responsibilities at your job, you should be able to relax at home.

Incorrect: The experiment was a failure, not having studied the lab manual carefully. Revised: They failed the experiment, not having studied the lab manual carefully.

(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/597/01/)

Misplaced Modifiers "To modify" is to qualify or limit the meaning of a word, phrase, or clause. Thus, in grammar, a modifier is a word, phrase, or

clause that qualifies or limits other words, phrases, or clauses. Misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that cause confusion because they are not placed close enough to the words they are supposed to modify. The following sections examine different kinds of misplaced modifiers and offer suggestions for dealing with this trouble. Misplaced Word Modifiers A misplaced word falls in the wrong place in a sentence. It may cause confusion and needless ambiguity. Such confusion may be avoided by placing the modifying word close to the word or words it qualifies. Wrong: Harold almost ate the whole steak. (In this sentence, "almost" suggests that Harold did not eat but almost ate the steak.) Corrected: Harold ate almost the whole steak. Be careful with the placement of limiting modifiers ("almost," "even," "hardly," "just," "merely," "nearly," "scarcely," and "simply"). These modifiers must be placed right next to the words they modify; otherwise, their placement may produce a completely different meaning. Consider how the different positions of the limiting modifier only change the meaning of the following sentence:

Composition teachers claim that good grammar skills improve students writing. Only composition teachers claim that good grammar skills improve students writing. (No one else makes this claim.) Composition teachers only claim that good grammar skills improve students writing. (The composition teachers do not mean what they say.) Composition teachers claim only that good grammar skills improve students writing. (The composition teachers claim nothing else.) Composition teachers claim that only good grammar skills improve students writing. (Nothing except good grammar skills improves students writing.) Composition teachers claim that good grammar skills only improve students writing. (Good grammar skills can do nothing but improve students writing.) Composition teachers claim that good grammar skills improve only students writing. (No other aspects of students education, such as thinking, reading, or speaking, are improved by good grammar skills.)

Misplaced Phrase Modifiers The most common type of phrase modifier, the prepositional phrase, usually appears right beside the words it modifies. But when a phrase is misplaced, it may cause confusion and needless ambiguity. Such confusion may be avoided by placing the modifying phrase close to the word or words that it qualifies. Wrong: The goalie stood ignoring the jeering fans in his net. (The sentence suggests that the fans were in the net.) Corrected: The goalie stood in his net ignoring the jeering fans.

Misplaced Clause Modifiers Even though you have more flexibility in the placement of dependent or subordinate clauses than in the placement of

modifying words and phrases, you should still try to position them next to whatever you want to modify. Wrong: The man carrying a dog who was whistling a Beatles tune refused to give up his spot in the line. (The dog was not whistling.) Corrected: The man who was carrying a dog and whistling a Beatles tune refused to give up his spot in the line. (http://www.nipissingu.ca/english/hornbook/MISPLACE.HTM)

Parallel Structure Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or." Words and Phrases With the -ing form (gerund) of words: Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. With infinitive phrases: Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle. (Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.) Do not mix forms. Example 1 Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. Example 2 Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurate ly, and in a detailed manner.

Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly. Example 3 Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low. Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation. Clauses A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism. Example 1 Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. or Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game. Example 2 Not Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. (passive) Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions.

Lists After a Colon Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form. Example 1 Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

Proofreading Strategies to Try: Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel. Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? Or do your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel.

Grammar Notes - Exercise

Exercise Subject Verb Agreement

Choose the correct verb so that it agrees in number with its subject. 1. The heart, veins, arteries and capillaries (is, are) collectively known as the cardiovascular system.

2. Probably one of the best known success stories in medical history (has, have) been the control of diabetes, which arises from an imbalance of insulin produced by the pancreas.

3. Each group of organisms has certain combinations of features which (is, are) common to it alone and which (separates, separate) it from all other groups.

4. Neither Michelle nor I (am, are) going to the lecture theatre.

5. Proteins, which (is, are) a kind of organic food, are used for cell-building.

6. The teacher concentrates on practical English, which (includes, include) letter-writing and practice for interviews.

7. A feature of invalid vehicles which (concerns, concern) disabled drivers as much as safety is their inability to carry a passenger.

8. The doctor, as well as the nurses, (is, are) coming soon.

9. Each of the lecturers (teach, teaches) well.

10. Highly developed animals including man (relies, rely) mainly on sound and on gestures of the face and body to communicate with each other. Those gestures which convey information about inner emotional states or feelings (is, are) surprisingly similarly in man and his closest evolutionary relative, the chimpanzee.

11. Anatomists have traced two sets of nerves to the heart which, although they are not important in originating the heart beat, (play, plays) a vital role in controlling its rate.

12. Either of us (is, are) available to go for the performance.

13. The team (is, are) on the field. Exercise Structural Errors

Incomplete sentences/ Fragments

Read the following paragraph carefully. There are fragments/ incomplete sentences in the paragraph. Please correct the sentences accordingly.

(1) Summer is supposed to be an enjoyable time. (2) Going to the beach. (3) Playing tennis and other games. (4) Even just taking walks during the evening hour. (5) Unfortunately, not everyone can enjoy the season. (6) There are people for whom the summer is pure torture. (7) For instance, my aunt who has anigma. (8) Suffers terribly in the heat. (9) Because her heart just cant pump fast enough to circulate her blood and to dissipate her bodys heat. (10) The only solution she has found to the problem is to stay in her air-conditioned house for the whole season. (11) As you can imagine, that gets rather boring. (12) Infants and toddlers, too, playing all the time in the summer. (13) They are bothered by the heat. (14) Since their bodies havent yet developed the ability to dissipate heat. (15) Mothers find the situation frustrating because they cannot explain the causes to their babies and they cannot force their little ones to slow down. (16) People who live in apartments cant enjoy t he summer either. (17) Frequently, apartments lack cross-ventilation, so the hot air stays in the small, boxy rooms. (18) Furthermore, apartment dwellers dont own backyards, so they have no place to go to enjoy a fine summer day. (19) Rather than just stepping out on to the lawn. (20) They must plan a major trip to a park or beach for summertime fun.

Exercise: Each question consists of a sentence followed by a fragment. Correct the error, either by (i) attaching the fragment to the sentence (ii) rewriting the fragment into a complete sentence. Make sure you use the correct punctuation, and give reasons for

the structuring of the fragments.

1. All historical events have three basic causes. Once cause being political, one social, and one economic.

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

2. Jim has decided to become a soldier. Having realized that jobs for railroad engineers are severely limited.

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3. Lisa wants to buy this antique piano. The piano needing a great deal of expert reconditioning.

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

4. My aunt Jenny is an expert on ancient Chinese artifacts. After working in the museum for the past fifteen years.

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

5. My new assistant is a very hard-working chap. But, unfortunately, a man who does not work very effectively.

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

6. The librarian recently bought a very comprehensive dictionary. The kind of dictionary giving you more information than you really want.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

7. Martha, who manages the local radio station, collects baseball cards. A hobby she began when her husband was a major league player.

__________________________________________________________________________

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Exercise: Dangling Modifiers One sentence of each pair contains a dangling modifier. Underline the dangler. Circle the letter (A, B) that identifies the correct sentence.

1. A. Hoping to weld a united front against the administration, a number of resolutions were passed. B. Hoping to weld a united front against the administration, the opposition passed a number of resolutions.

2. A. Strolling into the lobby of the hotel, the strains of the solo guitar will lift our spirits. B. As you stroll into the lobby of the hotel, the strains of the solo guitar will lift your spirits.

3. A. When buying a new car, consider the resale value. B. When buying a new car, the resale value should be considered.

4. A. Seen from a distance, the snow-capped peak might be thought to be a cloud. B. Seen from a distance, one might think that the snow-capped peak was a cloud.

5. A. To arrive at an intelligent decision, three more problem areas must be explored. B. If we are to arrive at an intelligent decision, three more problem areas must be explored.

6. A. After leaving Sacramento and heading West, our first sight of San Francisco Bay thrilled us. B. After leaving Sacramento and heading West, we were thrilled by our first sight of San Francisco Bay.

7. A. If you are using our new international credit card when travelling in Europe, these problems will not come up. B. Using our new international credit card when traveling in Europe, these problems will not come up.

8. A. Being the oldest of five children, Beth is expected to entertain the younger ones on family outings. B. Being the oldest of five children, Beths parents expect her to entertain the younger ones on family outings.

Exercise: Misplaced Modifiers From each of the following pairs of sentences, select the one that is clearer and justify your choice.

1. A. Either you pay the fine now or run the risk of being arrested. B. You either pay the fine now or run the risk of being arrested.

2. A. The group decided to visit the ruined monastery in spite of the long detour. B. The group decided to, in spite of the long detour, visit the ruined monastery.

3. A. For your required activity course you may either sign up for tennis or swimming.

B. For your required activity course you may sign up for either tennis or swimming.

4. A. Yesterday on a short trip to Sioux Falls I counted fourteen pigeons. B. Yesterday I counted fourteen pigeons on a short trip to Sioux Falls.

5. A. Eight-year-old Terry is almost as tall as his father. B. Eight-year-old Terry almost is as tall as his father.

6. A. The chairperson reported on the need for a radical reorganization in her opening remarks. B. In her opening remarks, the chairperson reported on the need for a radical reorganization.

7. A. I was told that I had been awarded the scholarship by my professor. B. I was told by my professor that I had been awarded the scholarship.

8. A. Cost-efficient and convenient, many of todays corporate employees are being trained through computer-assisted instruction. B. Cost-efficient and convenient, computer-assisted instruction is being used by many companies to train employees.

9. A. When purchasing a cell phone, many people become overwhelmed by the wide variety of calling plans and features. B. When purchasing a cell phone, the wide variety of calling plans and features overwhelm many people.

Exercise: Parallel Structures Two or more sentence elements that have the same function should be in the same grammatical form.

Rewrite the following sentences using proper parallel structure.

1. Selena was intelligent, determined and had a dynamic personality. ____________________________________________________________________________

2. He was fired not only for his frequent absences but also because he was inefficient. ____________________________________________________________________________

3. A person may pursue a goal at college, at a trade school, a military career, or in industry. ____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Some predictable faults of the average individual are an irresponsible attitude, the inability to see ones own faults and everyone being basically selfish. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

5. The leopard represents malice, the lion represents violence, unchecked passions are symbolized by the she-wolf. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

6. Dante was terrified of the dark wood, the three beasts, and to see the swarming insects. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________

7. We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing. ___________________________________________________________________________

8. We have plenty of statutes that forbid people to kill each other and also make it wrong to maim or even just to be threatening with weapons. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________