Faculty of Letters & Humanities Composition II

Department of English Studies Semester 3

Pr. Zahra EL AOURI
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Sentence problems worksheet

I. Combine the following sentences with a coordinating conjunction (for, and,

nor, but, or, yet, so)

1. He went to work this morning. He did not want to go.

2. The teachers trained him well. They helped him find a job in a well renowned school when his
training was over.
3. They could not think of anything better to do during the summer holiday. They decided to
baby-sit for busy families.
4. A book can be a lot of fun to read. A book can be boring.
5. That movie looks great! I would love to come and see it with you.

II. Combine the following sentences with a subordinating conjunction. Pay

attention you may need a semi-colon (;) in some combinations

1. They made plans to travel. They ended up not being able to make it.
2. What we have accomplished is a great job. Let’s celebrate our success.
3. I simply cannot go out with. I am really worn out.
4. He refused to admit being a spy. He was put in jail.
5. Our culture is different from yours. Don’t expect us to behave as you do.

III. Read the sentences bellow and decide whether or not they contain an error
in parallel structure. If there is an error, try to correct it. If there isn’t
underline the paralleled items

1. Fatima brewed coffee, steamed milk, and told jokes as she prepared her husband’s breakfast.
2. In the restroom, she was brushing her hair, freshened her lip-gloss, and took deep breath, trying
to work up the courage to walk to her first communication class.
3. Not only did Karim apply an extra layer of deodorant to his armpits, but he also polished each
tooth with special care. He did not want to offend his fiancée with any unpleasant odors.
4. For his first date with his fiancée, Karim bought not only a bunch of flowers, but he also
purchased a box of chocolates.
5. Not only did Karim’s fiancée squeal at the sight of the beautiful bouquet, but she was also
tearing open the box of chocolates all the way to the cinema.

IV. The following set of statements contains fragments, run-on and choppy
sentences. Decide whether each statement is a fragment, a run-on or choppy
and then correct them.

1. By researching in the library or online is part of the assignment writing process.

2. The dates of exam periods can be viewed online, they are scheduled at the end of each
semester.
3. Our results were inconsistent. The program obviously contains an error. A revision of the
program is required.
4. Students can achieve a range of marks. From a fail to a high distinction.
5. Learning a new language is similar to learning to swim it takes a lot of practice.
6. The university did not gain the enrolments it was seeking1. Although the new units doubled
student numbers.
7. The experiment failed, it had been left unobserved for too long.
8. Wind is an enduring source of power. Water is also an unlimited energy source. Dams produce
hydraulic power. They have existed for a long time. Windmills are relatively new.
9. Undergraduates working through their course and then on to postgraduate studies.
10. A newly arrived international student faces many problems, for example, he has to cope with a
new culture.

V. Rewrite the following sentences to repair any dangling modifiers

1. While watching an interesting film, commercials are irritating.

2. To lose weight, fatty foods should be avoided.
3. Having learnt Spanish in just three months, the stay in Mexico was a success.
4. Looking over the students’ exam papers, several mistakes were noticed.

VI. Choose the right linking word from the multiple choice list to complete these
sentences

1. Do you think this is something ___ can be learned?

a. who
b. that
c. X (the conjunction can be omitted)
2. Don't go out ___ you've finished your work.
a. as
b. while
c. until
3. Make sure you close all the windows ___ it starts to rain.
a. after
b. before
c. for
4. I think I know ___ he left the job.
. why
b. until
c. where
5. ___ I had known how much I would disappoint him, I wouldn't have done it.
a. Whether
b. When
c. If
6. ___ you see me, get in the car.
a. As soon as
b. While
c. Whether
7. My friend John, ___ lives in California, has a car with a New York license.
a. whose
b. who
c. that
8. It's usually quite simple to cross the border between the USA and Canada ___ these two
countries have friendly relations.
a. yet
b. and
c. because
9. ___ a university professor returns from a sabbatical leave, he should be better qualified.
a. Until
b. When
c. Even though
10. She's ___ a snobbish person ___ nobody likes to be with her.
a. such...that
b. such...as
c. so...that