Business Report Writing

Grammar Issues
Applied Linguistics Department
Academic Year 2019-2020. Semester 192
 Identify Clauses
*All sentences must have at least one independent
clause.
Independent Clauses:
 An independent clause can stand alone. I
 An independent clause has at least 1 subject and 1
verb.
* The baby is sleeping.
* The movie ended.
* The boy broke the
vase.
Dependent Clauses:
 A dependent clause cannot stand alone. D
 A dependent clause does not express a complete
*thought.
It is usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction , such
as: before, after, when, while, as soon as, although, even though,
if , unless, because, since .
 Dependent Clauses D

A dependent clause starts with

a subordinating conjunction--can’t stand
alone

--If you need some help.

--Before/after we went out for dinner.
--When the hunter saw a deer.
--While we were watching TV.
--Although we were tired.
--Because it took an hour to fill out the form.
--Since my uncle lives closer to the airport.
 Identify Sentence Types
A Simple Sentence:
Contains one independent clause. I

* Our grandmother sings beautifully.

* The security guard protects the whole
building.
* Learning is fun.
* I gave my neighbor some cake.
* My secretary typed the letter.
* My brother didn’t like that movie.
A Compound Sentence
A Compound Sentence:
 Contains two independent clauses.
I + I.
 Joined by a comma and a
coordinating such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
conjunction,
[FANBOYS].

* I gave her a rose, for she is the queen of my heart.1

* My sister likes swimming, and she likes painting.
* Our housekeeper doesn’t cook, nor does she sew.
* Tommy is sick, but he doesn’t want to go to the
doctor.
 FANBOYS
A Compound Sentence: Continued
Contains two independent clauses.
I + I.
Joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction
[=FANBOYS].

* My older brother is going to go to take a job in Jeddah, or

he is going to go to the USA.
* My aunt exercises so much, yet she doesn’t lose any
weight.
* Sami wants better marks, so he is going to get a tutor.
 A Complex Sentence
A Complex Sentence:
I + D. I + D + D.
 Contains one independent clause and one or more dependent
clauses.
 The dependent clause is introduced by a subordinating
conjunction.
* If I have enough time, I will visit my friends.
* I will visit my friends if I have enough
time. D, + I.
* When I feel tired, I drink a cup of coffee.
*
* IBecause
drink a cup of coffee
we will be in when
JeddahI feel tired.
for one week, we locked all our
windows.
* We locked all our windows because we will be in Jeddah for one week.
 Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence is a
sentence that contains two
improperly joined sentences
(independent clauses).

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There are two types of run-on sentences:

Fused sentences

Comma splices
 Fused Sentences

A fused sentence occurs when two sentences are

joined without any punctuation.

Incorrect: Some students think they can study for an important

exam by “cramming” all night they are probably wrong.
 Comma Splices

A comma splice occurs when two sentences are

joined with only a comma.

Incorrect: The teacher told the students to complete the section

on comma splices, she also told them to compose a five-page
essay.
Four Ways to Correct Run-on Sentences.

Use a period.
Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band it was a punk rock
band.

Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band. It was a punk rock band.
Use a Semicolon

Some students think they can study for an

important exam by “cramming” all night they
are probably wrong.

Some students think they can study for an

important exam by “cramming” all night; they are
probably wrong.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction
(and, but, yet, for, or, nor, so)
First I Went to the grocery store then I went to
the library.

First I went to grocery store, and then I

went to the library.
Add a subordinating conjunction or dependent
word.

Maria and John like skiing Karen does not.

Although Maria and John like skiing, Karen

does not.

Some common subordinating conjunctions:

After, although, before, unless, as, because, even
though, if, since, until, when, while.
 Correcting Run-on Sentences

Add a coordinating conjunction.

I + I.
Ahmed is studying fulltime at YUC, he works at the mall at
night.

Add a subordinating conjunction. D, + I.

He graduates from college, Ahmed will look for a job in
Jeddah.

 Separate into two independent sentences. I. I.

Ahmed hopes to graduate soon he works hard every
day.