PRACTICE – PARTS OF SPEECHIdentify the part of speech for each word in these sentences She placed the aluminum pot on the

red-hot burner and left it.

Ouch! Dorothy shouldn’t have touched the extremely hot burner.

PARTS OF SPEECH She placed the aluminum pot on the red-hot

burner and left it. She pronoun (subject)

placed verb

the article/adjective

aluminum adjective

pot noun

on preposition (on the red-hot burner = prepositional phrase)

the article

red-hot adjective

burner noun (object of preposition on)

and coordinating conjunction

left verb

it pronoun (object of verb left)

Ouch! Dorothy shouldn’t have touched the extremely hot burner.

Ouch interjectionDorothy proper noun

(subject)should have touched verbnot adverbthe article/adjectiveextremely adverbhot adjectiveburner noun – object of verb

EFFECTIVE SENTENCES

Fragments, Run-Ons and Parallel Structure Review

WHAT IS A SENTENCE A sentence contains a subject and a verb. It

can stand alone and it must make sense. The class is studying.

Subject = class Verb = is studying

She sings. Subject = she Verb = sings

Sing! Subject = [you] Verb = sing

SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

WHEN IS A SENTENCE A FRAGMENT?1. It has a subject and a verb but it begins with a

subordinate word such as because, as, although, since, if

Example: Because economies and world markets are becoming

increasingly mixed. Canadian businesses work with many countries.

If the clause is at the beginning of the sentence, add a , and join it to a relevant main clause. Because economies and world markets are becoming

increasingly mixed, Canadian businesses work with many countries.

If the clause is at end of the sentence do not add a , Canadian businesses work with many countries

because economies and world markets are becoming increasingly mixed.

AND …2. It does not contain a subject or a verb

but a nearby sentence completes it

In the spring of every year. We go to New York.

In the spring of every year, we go to New York.

Or it’s an afterthoughtWe go to New York. In the spring of every

year.We go to New York in the spring of every

year.

AS WELL…3. It starts with a relative pronoun (that,

which, who)

Cell phones connect friends. Which is a precious thing to Canadians.

Cell phones connect friends which is a precious thing to Canadians who travel.

AND …4. It starts with a noun followed by a who,

which or that clause

The visiting executive who was struggling with his luggage. Asked for help.

The visiting executive who was struggling with his luggage asked for help.

OR5. It is a “ing” phrase Wanting to succeed. She went to

NSCC. Wanting to succeed, she went to NSCC.

Or

6. A “to” phrase To get to the other side. She went

around the wall. To get to the other side, she went

around the wall.

RUN ON SENTENCES

TWO TYPES1. Comma Splice Two independent clauses are joined by

a comma but this punctuation is not strong enough.

2. Fused Sentence Independent clauses are joined

together without conjunctions or punctuation.

In both, the reader can get confused and understanding is difficult

RUN ON SENTENCE

I got up late this morning, I didn't

have time for breakfast.

HOW TO FIX IT!1. Change it into an independent clause plus

a dependent clause using a subordinate conjunction (see next page) *Subordinate conjunctions or a relative pronoun Relative Pronoun

Because I got up late this morning, I didn't have time for breakfast.

I got up late this morning which left me no time for breakfast.

2. Change the punctuation to a stronger one – comma to semi-colon, dash, colon or period

I got up late this morning; I didn't have time for breakfast.

*SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS after since whether although so that which as supposing while because than who before that next where now

whoever even unless why even though until if what how when just as whenever whereas once wherever  

How to fix it!

RELATIVE PRONOUN that who whom whose which where when Why

How to fix it!

ADDITIONAL TIPS3. Make the clauses into two

separate sentences. I got up late this morning. I didn't have time

for breakfast.

4. Place a comma and a coordinating conjunction Coordinating Conjunctions between two clauses.

I got up late this morning, and I didn't have time for breakfast.

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS FANBOYS

for and nor but or yet So

How to fix it!

PARALLEL STRUCTURE

WHAT IS IT Parallelism = balance Words, phrases or clauses start with the

same grammatical form Parallel

We plan to hike in the mountains, to swim in the lakes and to dance under the stars.

We plan to hike in the mountains, to swim in the lakes and to dance under the stars.

PRACTICE If we don’t try very hard to find the source of that error in

our computer program. Karla is sleeping in class today because she stayed up

late. Doing her homework. A few people arrived early, realizing that the available

seating was not sufficient to accommodate the expected crowd.

The speaker captivated his audience. A man of great wit and wisdom.

He works at the garage. And at the bank. She always turns red whenever someone smiles at her or

paying her a compliment. Biking, talk to friends and to eat pizza are some of my

favourite things to do. I believe in you because you are loyal, dedicated, and

keep my secrets.

If we don’t try very hard to find the source of that error in our computer program, it could get much worse.

Karla is sleeping in class today because she stayed up late doing her homework.

A few people arrived early, and realized that the available seating was insufficient to accommodate the expected crowd.

The speaker, a man of great wit and wisdom, captivated his audience.

He works at the garage and at the bank. She always turns red whenever someone smiles at her

or pays her a compliment. Biking, talking to friends and eating pizza are some of

my favourite things to do. I believe in your because you are loyal, dedicated, and

trustworthy.