Overview
This lecture provided a concise review of sentence structure in English grammar, covering sentence fragments, run-on sentences, clause coordination, subordination, and pronoun reference clarity.
Sentence Fragments
- A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought.
- Fragments lack a subject, a verb, or a complete idea.
- Examples include missing subjects, missing verbs, or incomplete ideas.
- Phrases (groups of words acting as one part of speech, no subject/verb) are also fragments if they stand alone.
Complete Sentences
- A complete sentence requires a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
- Short sentences can be complete if they meet these requirements (e.g., "John ran home").
Subordinate Clauses and Conjunctions
- Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, since, although) and cannot stand alone.
- Subordinate clauses show relationships like cause/effect, time, condition, comparison, or place.
- To correct fragments, ensure every sentence has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought.
Run-on Sentences & Comma Splices
- A run-on is two complete sentences joined without correct punctuation or conjunction.
- Common fix: separate sentences with a period, semicolon, or use a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- A comma splice occurs if two sentences are joined only by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.
Coordination and Subordination of Clauses
- Coordinate clauses are equal in rank, joined by conjunctions like and, but, or, so.
- Subordinate clauses are unequal and depend on the main clause for meaning.
- Choose connectives carefully to express logical relationships clearly.
Adverb and Adjective Clauses
- Subordinate adverb clauses answer how, where, when, or why and modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
- Subordinate adjective clauses begin with who, whom, whose, that, which, or relative adverbs (when, where, why) and modify nouns.
Faulty Coordination & Pronoun References
- Faulty coordination occurs when ideas of unequal importance are incorrectly joined as equals.
- Pronouns must clearly refer to a specific antecedent noun to avoid ambiguity.
- Ambiguous, general, or weak pronoun references can confuse the reader.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sentence Fragment — incomplete sentence missing subject, verb, or complete thought.
- Complete Sentence — contains subject, verb, and expresses a complete idea.
- Phrase — group of words acting as a single part of speech, lacking subject/verb.
- Subordinate Clause — dependent clause that cannot stand alone.
- Coordinating Conjunctions — words that connect clauses of equal rank ("FANBOYS").
- Comma Splice — error where two sentences are joined only with a comma.
- Antecedent — noun to which a pronoun refers.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and practice identifying fragments, run-ons, and correct sentence structure.
- Complete any assigned exercises on sentence completion and clause coordination.
- Read more detailed grammar explanations or watch further videos if needed.