Business English Ch 2

Punctuating Four Sentence Types

Because sentences express complete thoughts, they must include end punctuation. The punctuation you choose to end a sentence depends on whether the sentence is a statement, question, command, or exclamation.

Inverted Order Pattern 4:

In inverted sentences, the verb comes before the subject. You might use inverted order for variety or emphasis in your sentences.

Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation. Run-on sentences can usually be repaired by (a) separating the thoughts into two sentences, (b) adding a comma and a conjunction, or (c) adding a semicolon.

Fragment

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. It may be a phrase or a clause punctuated as if it were a complete sentence. Fragments are often broken off from preceding or succeeding sentences. Avoid fragments by making certain that each sentence contains a subject and a verb and makes sense by itself. You can remedy fragments by (a) joining them to complete sentences or (b) adding appropriate subjects and verbs. In the following examples, the fragments are italicized.

Statements

A statement makes an assertion and ends with a period

Comma Splice

A comma splice results when two sentences or independent clauses are incorrectly joined or spliced together with a comma. Remember that commas alone cannot join two sentences or independent clauses. Comma splices can usually be repaired by (a) adding a conjunction, (b) separating the thoughts into two sentences, or (c) changing the comma to a semicolon.

Commands .

A command gives an order or makes a direct request. Commands end with periods or, occasionally, with exclamation points. Note that the subject in all commands is understood to be you. The subject you is not normally stated in the command

Questions

A direct question uses the exact words of the speaker and requires an answer. It is followed by a question mark.

Exclamations

An exclamation shows surprise, disbelief, or strong feeling. An exclamation may or may not be expressed as a complete thought. Both subject and predicate may be implied.

Subject-Linking verb-complement Pattern 3:

In Pattern 3, the subject comes before a linking verb and its complement. Recall from Chapter 1 that common linking verbs are am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. Other linking verbs express the senses: feels, appears, tastes, sounds, seems, looks. A complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. A complement completes the meaning of the subject and always follows a linking verb.

Every sentence must have a subject.

True

Sentence Faults

Writing complete and grammatically correct sentences can be challenging. To be successful in your career, you must be able to write complete sentences that avoid three common faults: fragments, comma splices, and run-ons. You can eliminate these sentence faults by recognizing them and applying revision techniques

Clause

a group of related words including a subject and a verb is a clause

Phrase

a group of related words without a subject and a verb

helping verbs or auxiliary

am, is , are, was, were, been, have, has, had, must, ought, can, might, could, would, should, will, do, does and did.

Independent clauses

are grammatically complete

Complex sentence

contains an independent clause and a dependent clause (a thought that cannot stand by itself.) Dependent clauses are often introduced by words such as although, since, because, when and if

compound-complex sentence

contains at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause

simple sentence

contains one independent clause (complete thought) with a subject and predicate

compound sentence

contains two complete but related thoughts. the two independent clauses may be joined by a conjunction such as and, but, or or. b. Semicolon or c. conjunctive adverb such as however, consequently, or therefore

Dependent clause

depend for their meaning on independent clauses. Dependent clauses are often introduced by words such as if, when, because, and as

complete predicate

includes the verb or verb phrase and its modifiers, objects, and complements.

Clauses may be divided into two groups

independent and dependent

Direct object

is a noun or pronoun that answers the question what? or Whom?

A simple subject

is a noun or pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about.

Simple predicate

is a verb or verb phrase that tells what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject.

principal verb

is the final one (attend)

Indirect object

may also use an indirect object that answers the question to whom? to what? For whom? or for What?

Subject-Action Verb-object Pattern 1:

objects of actions verbs can be direct or indirect.

The complete subject of a sentence includes the

simple subject and all of its modifiers (words that describe or limit)

verb phrase

such as will attend

Subject verb; Pattern 1

the verb follows its subject.