Sentence Structure:

- run-ons, commas splices, and fused sentences

- sentence fragments
- subject-verb agreement
Sentence Style:
- wordiness
- parallelism
- dangling modifiers

Exercise : Run-ons, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences

Exercise 1
Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound
sentences that are not punctuated correctly.
A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can
usually fix the error:
a) by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two
separate sentences,
b) by changing the comma to a semicolon, or
c) by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of
it,
d) by join the two independent clauses with one of the coordinating conjunctions
(and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet), and use a comma before the connecting word.

ad. a)

1. He enjoys walking through the country. He often goes backpacking on his

vacations.
ad. b)

When you do not have a connecting word (or when you use a connecting word other
than and, but, for, or nor, so, or yet between the two independent clauses) use a
semicolon (;).
__________________________;_____________________________.

ad. c) using intro clause, phrase, word structure.

ad. d)
_________________________, and _________________________.

2. He often watched TV when there were only reruns. She preferred to read instead.
or
__________________________; however, ____________________.

So, run-ons and fused sentences are terms describing two independent clauses that
are joined together with no connecting word or punctuation to separate the clauses.

The following sentences are both examples that are missing the connecting words
and/or the appropriate punctuation.

3. They weren't dangerous criminals they were detectives in disguise.

4. I didn't know which job I wanted I was too confused to decide.
Exercise : Run-ons, Comma Splices, and Fused Sentences
Exercise 2

The following sentences in italics are incorrect. In the first question,

Fix the comma splice:

1. Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

Repair the Fused Sentence:

Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by
any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can
sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two
sentences.

2. Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

Exercise : Sentence Fragments Exercise 1

Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete

thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with
another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

Fix the Sentence Fragment:

Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor,
marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the
sentences in the group is a fragment. Could you tell these writers why the fragments
are incomplete sentences?

____ 1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.
____ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to
the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in
the wind.
____ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other
teachers in that department, he did not encourage students' questions.
____ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult to
distinguish between them.
____ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and a
few glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for anything.
____ 6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially when you are on
your first date, you feel that you should be in control.
____ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious, and elite
group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true
premise.
____ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to
himself and his parents that he is a man.
____ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that
we would never enter that door in her home again.
____10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days
at fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this makes me happy.
____11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife.
Hoping she would accept his apology.
____12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends
had a little too much to drink.
____13. Although it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour. My old
rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me.
____14. With my brother standing by my side, I reached for the pot handle. Tilting
the pot way too much caused the boiling water to spill.
____15. The small, one-story houses are all the same size and style. With no
difference except the color.
____16. Being a friend of mine like he was when we first joined the soccer team.
Together we learned a lot.

Exercise : Sentence Fragments Exercise 2

These paragraphs need proofreading for possible fragments. Use the space below each
paragraph for revising.
1. How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too
long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my
friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for
the club.

2. For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of
Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their
politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and
their leaders. "Political" being all levels of government, and "quasi-political" churches,
labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and
the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

3. For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for
one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer
Americans feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-
opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and
in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder. Adding worse living conditions
and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.

4. Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny
look on her face. As if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if
she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.

5. A president is an appointed leader. Someone who is a decision maker in the

executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person
the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes. Assumes through his past record
as a politician, over the years' buildup of experience and handling situations.

Exercise : Subject and Verb Agreement Exercise 1

Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.
2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's
favorite subject.
16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.

Exercise : Eliminating Wordiness Exercise 1

Revise these sentences to state their meaning in fewer words. Avoid passive voice,
needless repetition, and wordy phrases and clauses. The first sentence has been done
as an example.
1. Many local farmers plan to attend next Friday's meeting.
2. Although Bradley Hall is regularly populated by students, close study of the building
as a structure is seldom undertaken by them.
3. He dropped out of school on account of the fact that it was necessary for him to
help support his family.
4. It is expected that the new schedule will be announced by the bus company within
the next few days.
5. There are many ways in which a student who is interested in meeting foreign
students may come to know one.
6. It is very unusual to find someone who has never told a deliberate lie on purpose.
7. Trouble is caused when people disobey rules that have been established for the
safety of all.
8. A campus rally was attended by more than a thousand students. Five students were
arrested by campus police for disorderly conduct, while several others are charged by
campus administrators with organizing a public meeting without being issued a permit
to do so.
9. The subjects that are considered most important by students are those that have
been shown to be useful to them after graduation.
10. In the not too distant future, college freshmen must all become aware of the fact
that there is a need for them to make contact with an academic adviser concerning
the matter of a major.
11. In our company there are wide-open opportunities for professional growth with a
company that enjoys an enviable record for stability in the dynamic atmosphere of
aerospace technology.
12. Some people believe in capital punishment, while other people are against it;
there are many opinions on this subject.

Exercise : Eliminating Wordiness Exercise 2

Directions: Combine each sentence group into one concise sentence.

1. The cliff dropped to reefs seventy-five feet below. The reefs below the steep cliff
were barely visible through the fog.

2. Their car is gassed up. It is ready for the long drive. The drive will take all night.

3. Sometimes Stan went running with Blanche. She was a good athlete. She was on
the track team at school.

4. Taylor brought some candy back from Europe. It wasn't shaped like American
candy. The candy tasted kind of strange to him.

5. Government leaders like to mention the creation of new jobs. They claim that these
new jobs indicate a strong economy. They don't mention that low-wage jobs without
benefits and security have replaced many good jobs.

Exercise : Faulty Parallelism Exercise 1

Re-write the following sentences so that each has a list using the same verb or noun form. Sample
answers are below.

1 The English teacher spoke in a nasal tone, unpleasantly, but conveying the information clearly
and was funny.

2 The coach told his players that they should get plenty of water, to not eat sugary snacks,
and being sure they are getting plenty of sleep.

3 Benefits of coaching include: knowing each player, helping that player to improve and to get
to see that person succeed in life.

4 At the party, my sister helped us make the cake, gathering the kids for games, clean up and
to drive some kids home.

5 Exercises that I enjoy doing are marathon running, to swim lengths in a pool, riding my
bicycle in the park, and to walk along the trails in a forest.

6 We must either change the laws about drunk driving or it will be necessary to start
enforcing them more strictly.

7 The protestors were gathering outside, held signs, starting to shout loudly and stopped the
speaker from being heard.

8 My sister-in-law loves fad diets and has tried: eating only meat, to not eat anything but rice,
smoothies every morning while not restricting anything else, and fasting 12 hours a day.

9 To my horror, my wedding dress looked stained, torn and it had wrinkles.

10 Our latest math instructor was enthusiastic, cracked a lot of jokes, is demanding, and failed
half the class.

Exercise : Dangling Modifiers Exercise 1

Five sentences are listed below. Label whether the sentence is a misplaced modifier (M), a
dangling modifier (D) or correct. The answers are at the bottom.

1. Always eager for cake, the birthday party was attended by everyone.
2. Forgetting that the microphone was on, the whole audience heard the singer's fight with his wife.
3. Wagging her tail, the new puppy climbed into my lap.
4. After painting all day, the bright new watercolor was drying in the sunshine.
5. Late as always, Mike made quite an entrance when he came to the party.

Exercise : Dangling Modifiers Exercise 2

Directions: In the following examples, one of the sentences contains a dangling modifier. Indicate
whether each sentence contains a dangling modifier (D) or is correct (C)

1. Hungry and frustrated, the child’s tears were inevitable.

2. The child was hungry and frustrated, and tears were inevitable.
3. When I opened the closet door, a box of letters fell on my head.
4. Upon opening the closet door, a box of letters fell on my head.
5. Just as I looked out the window, the postman appeared in the driveway.
6. Looking out the window, the postman appeared in the driveway.
7. While on the phone with a bill collector, my dog kept barking at me.
8. My dog kept barking at me while I was on the phone with a bill collector.
9. While trying on dresses, the saleswoman kept bothering me.
10. While I was trying on dresses, the saleswoman kept bothering me.
11. To study the effects of alcohol, researchers fed a dozen mice beer.
12. To study the effects of alcohol, a dozen mice were feeding on beer.
13. Rushing to dress, my shoelaces broke.
14. Rushing to dress, I broke one of my shoelaces.