Grammar
- Parts of Speech
- Nouns
- Adjectives
- Pronouns
- Verbs
- Adverbs
- Conjunctions
- Prepositions
- Interjections
- Problems with Sentences
Problems with Sentences
Sentence Fragments
An isolated word, a phrase or a dependent clause alone cannot function as a complete grammatical sentence. Such incomplete sentences are called Sentence Fragments. Here is an example:
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Red, blue, green, purple, black. A spectrum of bruises. Inside your head. Excruciating pain. |
(Such constructions are often used by authors of narrative and fiction, as well as advertisers to create mood and stylistic variation. However, they are not acceptable in formal, academic or work-related writing.)
The opposite of having sentence fragments is to have several sentences forced into one, which are called Run-On Sentences. Here is an example:
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Building a house is different from building a block of flats, the materials used are different, methods are also different. |
Parallel Constructions
Parallel thoughts should be expressed in parallel structures (Venolia, 1995:80). Parallel elements in a list need to be parallel in structure (e.g. noun phrases for all, or verb phrases for all). Here is a list where all items begin with verbs of the same form:
- retain knowledge,
- achieve understanding,
- reinforce learning,
- cultivate decision-making skills,
- develop critical thinking,
- practise problem-solving skills,
- conceptualise a subject, and
- provide intellectual challenge.
In sentences too, this rule needs to be observed. Here is an example:
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My favourite pastimes are cycling, surfing the net, swimming and listening to music. |
