SYNTAX AND MECHANICS

auxilary verb

"helping verb" be, do, have, will ,shall - Do not omit auxiliary verbs that are necessary to complete a grammatical construction. When the two parts of a compound construction are in different tenses, it is usually necessary to write the auxiliary verbs in full. e.g Incomplete: Due to a vehicular accident last year, he can no longer walk and never walk again. Improved: Due to a vehicular accident last year, he can no longer walk and will never walk again.

Reference to Remote Antecedent

- A pronoun need not be in the same sentence as its antecedent, but the antecedent should not be so remote as to cause possible misreading. - If a considerable amount of material stands between the antecedent and the pronoun, repeat the antecedent. e.g Undesirable: Cindy lacked enough money to buy the beautiful dress that was made of silk, gorgeously cut, and very expensive. Dozens of other dresses were in the store as well but they were no competition to the dream dress that she wanted. Improved: ...but they were no competition to the dream dress that Cindy wanted.

Personal Pronouns Used Indefinitely

- Although the indefinite you is suitable in informal writing, it is generally out of place in formal compositions. - Instead, use the impersonal pronoun one, or put the verb in the passive voice. e.g Informal: You should not take sedatives without a doctor's prescription. Formal: One should not take sedatives without a doctor's prescription. Formal or Informal: Sedatives should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.

Ambiguous Reference

- Do not use a pronoun in such away that it might refer to either of the two antecedents. - Do not practice explaining the pronoun by repeating of antecedent in parentheses. e.g Undesirable: Dona met Michelle when she was on the way to school (To whom is she referring to, Dona or Michelle?) Dona met Michelle when she (Michelle) was on the way to school. Improved: Dona, on her way to school, met Michelle.

Reference to Inconspicuous Antecedent

- Do not use a pronoun to refer to a noun in a subordinate construction where it may be overlooked by the reader. - A noun that is used as an adjective is likely to be too inconspicuous to serve as an antecedent. e.g Inconspicuous antecedent: Adobe brick was used in the wall, which is a Spanish word for sun-dried clay. Improved:The bricks in the wall were made of adobe, which is a Spanish word for sun-dried clay.

Reference to Implied Antecedent

- Do not use a pronoun to refer to a noun which is not expressed but has to be inferred from another noun. e.g Antecedent implied: I once knew a very old violinist who repaired them very expertly. Improved: I once knew an old violinist who repaired violins very expertly.

Misplaced clauses and phrases

- Some subordinate clauses and modifying phrases can be moved around to various positions in the sentence without affecting its meaning. For example, an introductory adverbial clause can sometimes be shifted from the beginning to the middle or the end of the sentence. e.g Misplaced Modifier: The ramp model wore a grey cardigan over one shoulder which looked fuzzy and warm. Corrected: The ramp model wore over one shoulder, a grey cardigan which looked fuzzy and warm.

Shifts of Person

- The most common shift in writing is from the third person to the second person. This usually happens when the writer is talking about no particular individual but of everyone in general. e.g Needless shift: A man must always think happy thoughts for you can will happiness. Improved: You must always think happy thoughts for you can will happiness. Improved: A man must always think happy thoughts for he can will happiness.

Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives

- The pronouns this, that these, those are frequently used as adjectives, to modify nouns. - Using one of these words as a modifier, without an expressed or clearly implied antecedent, is a colloquialism which should be avoided in serious writing.

Misplaced Adverbs

- Theoretically, limiting adverbs like only, almost, never, seldom, even, hardly, nearly should be placed immediately before the words they modify. e.g Ambiguous: I nearly ate all of it, leaving you with nothing. Improved: I ate nearly all of it, leaving you with nothing.

Ways of Correcting Run-Together Sentences

- Use a semicolon between the two independent clauses e.g Give me liberty; give me death. - Use a period between the clauses and make them two sentences instead. e.g Give me liberty. Give me death. - Insert a coordinating conjunction between the two clauses e.g Give me liberty or give me death.

Broad Reference

- Using a relative or demonstrative pronoun (which, that, this) to refer to the whole idea of a preceding clause, phrase or sentence is acceptable if the sense and if a change would be awkward and wordy. e.g Ambiguous: The beginning of the book is more interesting than the conclusion, which is very unfortunate. Improved: Unfortunately, the beginning of the book is more interesting than the conclusion.

Squinting Modifiers

- also known as a two-way modifier, is an adverb or phrase that could feasibly modify either the words preceding it or those following it. - Avoid placing a modifier in such a position that it may refer to either a preceding or a following word. e.g Ambiguous: The person who steals in nine cases out of ten is driven to do so by want. Improved: In nine cases out of ten, the person who steals is driven to do so by want.

When are you going to use an exclamation point(!) in a sentence?

1) After an exclamatory sentence. e.g I can' t believe it! 2) After an exclamatory word, phrase , or clause. e.g Wow!

When are you going to use a colon(:) in a sentence?

1) After the salutation of a business letter. e.g Dear Sir: 2) Before a list or enumeration of items. e.g Here is a list of government agencies: DOLE, DTI... 3) Before a long direct quotation. e.g John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government said: ...

When are you going to use a period(.) in a sentence?

1) At the end of a declarative statement or an imperative sentence. 2) After an abbreviation or initial. e.g Dr. Mandy T. Gregory

When are you going to use a question mark(?) in a sentence?

1) At the end of every question. e.g Are there any questions?

When are you going to use quotation marks("") in a sentence?

1) Before and after every direct quotation and every part of a divided quotation. For quotations within a quotation, use single quotation marks. e.g "Locke has described the State of Nature much as Hobbes had, but then he adds 'something different,' or so Montague believes," said the professor. 2) To enclose titles of stories, poems, magazines, newspaper articles, and works of art. The usual practice for titles of books, magazines and newspapers is italicization. e.g "Ode to my Family" 3) Periods and commas belong inside quotations. Colons and semicolons are written after quotation marks. e.g Gloria said, "I didn't reckon on your being here so early in the morning."

(Classification of Sentences) Division according to Use:

1) Declarative Sentence- is a sentence that states a fact. 2) Interrogative Sentence- is a sentence that asks a question.(?) 3) Imperative Sentence- is a sentence that expresses a command. 4) Exclamatory Sentence- is a sentence that expresses sudden or strong emotion. (!)

(Classification of Sentences) Division according to Form:

1) Simple Sentence- a sentence containing one subject and one predicate, either or both of which, may be compound. e.g Mary and Joseph sheltered under a goat shed. 2) Compound Sentence- a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses. e.g Mary and Joseph sheltered under a goat shed, and they stayed there until Jesus was born. *The clauses of a compound sentence connected by the simple conjunctions and, but, and or are generally separated by a comma. *If the clauses are short and closely related, the comma may be omitted. *Sometimes, the clauses of a compound sentence have no connecting word. The connection is then indicated by a semicolon. *The semicolon is also used to separate the clauses of a compound sentence connected by nevertheless, moreover, therefore, however, thus, then because these words have very little connective force. 3) Complex Sentence- a sentence that contains one principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses. e.g The books, which were ordered last week, are finally arriving today.

When are you going to use a hyphen (-) in a sentence?

1) To divide a word at the end of a line wherever one or more syllables are carried to the next line. 2) In compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine. e.g I have thirty-three baskets already. 3) To separate the parts of some compound words. e.g My brother-in-law and my father-in-law are coming to visit tomorrow morning.

When are you going to use a dash (—) in a sentence?

1) To indicate a sudden change of thought. e.g He is still at the school—an unusual thing for him.

When are you going to use a semicolon(;) in a sentence?

1) To separate the clauses of a compound sentence when they are not separated by a coordinate conjunction. e.g I honored my word; you didn't honor yours. 2) To separate the clauses of a compound sentence, which are connected by nevertheless, moreover, however, therefore, then, or thus, since these words have very little connective force. e.g She got consistently good grades; thus, she graduates cum laude today. 3) Before as and namely when these words introduce an example or an illustration. e.g I have been to the most romantic city in Europe; namely, Paris.

When are you going to use a comma(,) in a sentence?

1) To separate words or group of words in a series. 2) To set off a short direct quotation and the parts of a divided quotation, unless a question mark or an exclamation point is required. e.g "I hope you'll be okay", said by Martha to Diego. 3) To separate independent elements and words of direct address. e.g Yes, I think so. 4) To set off the parts of dates, addresses, or geographical names. e.g June 15, 2005 5) To separate nonrestrictive phrases and clauses from the rest of the sentence. e.g The youth, who are supposedly the hope of the motherland, couldn't care less. 6) After long introductory phrases and clauses and when needed to make meaning clear. e.g While you were waiting at the airport entrance, I was waiting at the tarmac. 7) To set off an appositive that is not part of the name or that is not restrictive. e.g It is my wish, that you may see the error of your ways. 8) To set off a parenthetical expression; that is, a word or a group of words inserted in the sentence as a comment or an exclamatory remark, and one that is not necessary to the thought of the sentence. e.g The nurses, as well as the doctor, are confident about the patient's full recovery. 9) To separate the clauses of a compound sentence connected by the conjunctions and, but, or, nor, yet. If the clauses are short and closely related, the comma may be omitted. e.g I honored my word, but you didn't honor yours. 10) After the salutation in a social letter and after the complimentary close in all letters. e.g Dear Don,

When are you going to use an apostrophe(') in a sentence?

1) To show possession. e.g My sister's shoes are hard to fill. 2) With s to show the plural of letters, numbers, and signs. e.g How many a's. are there in this sentence? 3) To show the omission of a letter, letters or numbers. e.g The 25th of February in '95

A Dangling modifier can be remedied in two ways:

1. By supplying the noun or pronoun that the phrase logically modifies e.g Swimming out into the cold, I felt that the water was cold. 2. By changing the dangling modifier into a complete clause (one which has a subject and predicate) e.g As I swam out into the lake, the water felt colder.

When to capitalize letters?

1. The first word in a sentence. 2. The first word of every line of poetry (not very strict due to poetic license). 3. The first word of a direct quotation. 4. Proper nouns and proper adjectives. 5. Titles of honor and respect when preceding the name. 6. North, south, east, and west when they refer to sections of a country. 7. All names referring to God, the Bible, or parts of the Bible. 8. The principal words in the titles of books, plays, poems and pictures. 9. The pronoun I and the interjection O. 10. Abbreviations when capitals would be used if the words were written in full.

When to not capitalize?

1. The seasons of the year. 2. The articles a, an, the, conjunctions, or prepositions in titles, unless one of these is the first word. 3. The names of subjects, unless they are derived from proper nouns. 4. The words high school, college, and university, unless they are parts of the names of particular institutions. 5. Abbreviations for the time of day. (a.m./p.m.)

(Type of Sentence Fragments) Fragment dependent clause

A group of ants is busy looking for food and ferrying them back and forth. While another group of ants was busy protecting the colony. Corrected: A group of ants is busy looking for food and ferrying them back and forth, while another group of ants was busy protecting the colony.

(Type of Sentence Fragments) Fragment appositive phrase

A major social problem is the number of undesirable people coming into the state. Professional gamblers and crooks, men who would do anything to make money. Corrected: A major social problem is the number of undesirable people coming into the state—professional gamblers and crooks, men who would do anything to make money.

What are dangling modifiers?

A modifier is a dangling modifier when there is no word in the sentence for it to modify. e.g Swimming out into the lake, the water felt cold

Uses of Noun Clauses

A noun clause has the same uses as nouns. It may be used as subject of a verb, object of a verb, the predicate nominative, the object of a preposition, or in apposition. a) Noun clause used as Subject - It may be used as the person, place or thing about which a statement is being made. e.g THAT YOU MAY SEE THE ERROR OF YOUR WAYS is my fervent wish. b) Noun clause used as Direct Object - A transitive verb passes the action from a doer to a receiver. In the active voice, the doer is the subject and the receiver is the object. e.g I doubt THAT YOU CAN DO IT. c) Noun clause used as Predicate Nominative - The predicate nominative follows a linking verb and completes its meaning. e.g My wish is THAT YOU MAY SEE THE ERROR OF YOUR WAYS. d) Noun clause used as Object of Proposition - A preposition shows the relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence. e.g I was thinking about ALL THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. e) Noun clause used in Apposition - An appositive is a word or a group of words that follows a noun or a pronoun and gives additional information about this noun/pronoun. e.g My wish, THAT YOU MAY SEE THE ERROR OF YOUR WAYS, is heartfelt.

(Type of Subordinate Clause) Noun Clause

A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. A sentence that has a noun clause is a complex sentence. The entire sentence is considered the principal or independent clause; the noun clause is the subordinate clause. e.g THAT IT BOGGLES THE MIND is inevitable.

What is a phrase?

A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb and may be used as a single part of speech. They mainly add variety to and relieve monotony of sentences.

Sentence Unity

A sentence is unified if the various ideas it contains all contribute to making one total statement and if the unifying idea, which ties the various parts together, is made clear to the reader. Faults in sentence unity include inclusion of irrelevant ideas, excessive detail, illogical coordination and faulty subordination.

Trailing Constructions

A sentence should not trail away in a tangle of dependent clauses and subordinate elements. The end of a sentence is an emphatic position. Put some important idea there. However, it is not necessary to make all your sentences "periodic" - that is, arranged so that the meaning is suspended until the very end of the sentence. e.g Trailing Construction: It is in this scene that Leo finally realizes that he has been deceived by the promises of his sisters. Improved: In this scene Leo finally realizes that he has been deceived by the promises of his sisters.

What are primer sentences?

A series of short independent sentences may produce the jerky primer style of elementary students. A disadvantage of such writing is that there seems to be no sentence that is more important than the rest. Primer sentences should be unified into longer sentences, with less important ideas subordinated.

(Type of Subordinate Clause) Adjectival Clause

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause used as an adjective. It is usually introduced by relative pronouns (e.g. who, which, what, and that) or relative adverbs (e.g. when, where, and why). e.g The girl WHO IS WEARING THE RED OBI topped the UPCAT last year.

(Type of Subordinate Clause) Adverbial Clause

An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause used as an adverb. Remember that adverbial clauses, just like adverbs, may modify a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. It is usually introduced by conjunctive adverbs (e.g. after, until, as, when, before, where, since, and while) or subordinate conjunctions (e.g. as, that, since, because, then, so, for, than, though, if, provided, and unless). e.g Gregory was on his way home WHEN THE BULLIES ASSAULTED HIM.

Awkward Split Constructions; Split Infinitives

Any needless splitting of a grammatical construction by the insertion of a modifier may affect the meaning of the sentence. e.g Awkward: I should like to, if the Lord blesses me with such grace, tour the world. Improved: I should like to tour the world, if the Lord blesses me with such grace.

Inexact Statement

Be exact in writing sentences. Make your meaning clear through exact phrasing. e.g Inexact phrasing: Luxurious living results in expensive bills at the end of the month. (bills are not expensive; luxurious living is) Improved: Luxurious living brings high bills at the end of the month.

Permissible Incomplete Sentences

Certain elliptical expressions stand as sentences because their meanings are readily understood, especially in a conversation context. 1. Questions and answers to questions e.g Why not? 2. Exclamations and requests e.g Yes! 3. Transitions e.g So much for that.

It is a part of the sentence containing, in itself, a subject, and a predicate.

Clauses

Incomplete Comparisons

Comparisons should be logical and unambiguous. e.g Illogical: Her energy level is lower than an old lady. (Is an old lady low?) Improved: Her energy level is lower than that of an old lady. Improved: Her energy level is lower than an old lady's.

Mixed Constructions

Contains sentence parts that do not sensibly fit together. This mismatch may be a matter of grammar or of logic.often happen when you start a sentence with one grammatical structure and then switch to another. e.g Mixed construction: Often it wouldn't be late in the evening before my father got home. Correct: Often it would be late in the evening before my father got home. Correct: Often my father wouldn't get home until late in the evening.

What are correlatives?

Correlative conjunctions like either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also should be followed by parallel sentence elements.

Dangling Participles, Gerunds and Infinitives

Dangling participial phrase: Strolling around the park one day, a baby suddenly cried. (Who was strolling) Improved: As I was strolling around the park one day, a baby suddenly cried. Dangling Gerund Phrase: For opening the door to let her in, the beautiful lady gave me a radiant smile. (Who opened the door?) Improved: The beautiful lady gave me a radiant smile after I had opened the door for her. Dangling infinitive phrase: To pass the difficult entrance examination, all possible topics must be covered in the review. Improved: To pass the difficult entrance examination, a student must cover all possible topics in the review.

Shifts of Tense

Do not change the tense unless there is reason to do so. e.g Shift of tense: The family was usually quarreled over money matters, and when this new problem arises, the family is broken up. Improved: The family was usually quarreled over money matters, and when this new problem arose, the family was broken up.

Idiomatic Prepositions

English idioms require that certain prepositions be used with certain adjectives: we say for example "interested in", "aware of", "devoted to". Be sure to always include all necessary idiomatic prepositions. e.g Incomplete: She is exceptionally interested and devoted to her friends. Improved: She is exceptionally interested in and devoted to her friends.

Weak and Unemphatic Sentences

Even though the sentence is technically correct, with its elements properly subordinated to throw the stress on the most important ideas, it may still lack force and impact. Weak sentences are usually caused either by shaky structure or by dilution with needless words and repetitions.

Shifts of Mode

For example, If you begin a sentence with an imperative command (imperative mode), do not shift without reason to a statement (indicative mode). e.g Shift of mode: If I were you, I would be very grateful and I will thank him in any way I can. (Subjunctive, Indicative) Improved: If I were you, I would be very grateful and I would thank him in any way I can.

(Type of Sentence Fragments) Fragment prepositional phrase

I had expected to find the laboratory neat and orderly, but actually it was very sloppy. With instruments on every available space and pieces of electronic equipment lying around the floor. Corrected: I had expected to find the laboratory neat and orderly, but actually it was very sloppy. Instruments were on every available space and pieces of electronic equipment were lying around the floor.

(Type of Sentence Fragments) Fragment participial phrase

I was amazed at how alive the city was. Everywhere there were vendors, hawking their unique and varied wares. Calling the attention of shoppers and nudging them in the hope that they'll be attracted enough to buy. Corrected: I was amazed at how alive the city was. Everywhere there were vendors hawking their unique and varied wares, calling the attention of shoppers, and nudging them in the hope that they'll be attracted enough to buy.

Excessive Detail

If the sentence contains too many ideas, none of them will stand out and the sentence will seem overcrowded and pointless.

VAGUE SENTENCES

If your sentences are to be clear, you must express your meaning fully, in exact and definite language. Avoid vague sentences which are unclear and indefinite.

Comparisons As and Than; One of the...if not the...

In comparisons, do not omit words necessary to make a complete idiomatic statement. We say "as pretty as" and "prettier than". e.g Incomplete: Liza is as pretty, if not prettier than Lolita. Complete but Awkward: Liza is as pretty as, if not prettier than Lolita. Improved: Liza is as pretty as Lolita, if not prettier.

Repetition of Prepositions and Other Introductory Words:

In order to make a parallelism clear, it is often necessary to repeat a preposition, an article, a relative pronoun, a subordinating conjunction, an auxiliary verb, or the sign of the infinitive.

What is a restrictive clause?

It is a clause that helps point out, or identifies a certain person or object, and is a necessary part of the sentence. e.g He who has loved much is much loved as well.

What is a nonrestrictive clause?

It is a clause that merely adds to the information given in the principal clause and is not necessary to the sense of the sentence. e.g He, who has loved much, is much loved as well.

What is a sentence?

It is a group of words expressing a complete thought.

Kinds of Phrases (Divisions according to form)

Phrases may be introduced by prepositions, participles, or infinitives. The introductory word determines the classification of the phrase according to form. a) Prepositional phrase- a phrase introduced by a preposition b) Participial phrase- a phrase introduced by a participle c) Infinitive phrase- a phrase introduced by an infinitive

Kinds of Phrases (Divisions according to use)

Phrases may be used as adjectives, as adverbs, or as nouns. The function determines the classification of a phrase according to use. a) Adjectival phrase- a phrase used as an adjective. b) Adverbial phrase- a phrase used as an adverb. c) Noun phrase- a phrase used as a noun.

What are the use of punctuations?

Punctuations help make the meaning of written statements clear.

INCOMPLETE CONSTRUCTIONS

Sentence constructions are incomplete if words and expressions necessary for clarity are omitted.

What are elements in series?

Sentence elements in series (x, y, and z) should express parallel ideas and be parallel in grammatical form.

Shifts of Voice or Subject

Shifting from the active to the passive voice almost always involves a change in subject; thus, an unnecessary shift in voice may make a sentence doubly awkward. e.g Shift in subject and voice: When I finally found the trouble in an unsoldered wire, the dismantling of the motor was begun at once. Improved: When I finally found the trouble in an unsoldered wire, I began at once to dismantle the motor.

Permissible Introductory Expressions

Some verbal phrases, like generally speaking, taking all things into consideration, judging from past experience have become stock introductory expressions and need not be attached to any particular noun. Similarly, verbals expressing a generalized process, like in swimming, in cooking, are often used without being attached to a particular noun.

UNNECESSARY SHIFTS

Structural consistency makes a sentence easier to read. If the first clause of a sentence is in the active voice, do not shift to the passive voice in the second clause unless there is some reason for the change. Similarly, avoid needless shifts in tense, mode, or person within a sentence.

Dangling Elliptical Clauses

Subject and main verb are sometimes omitted from a dependent clause. These clauses are called elliptical clauses: e.g Instead of while he was going, while going is used. Instead of when he was a boy, when a boy is used.

Faulty Reference of Pronoun

The antecedent of every pronoun should be immediately clear to the reader. Faulty reference of pronouns is particularly hard to detect in a first draft.

What are sentence fragments?

The are incomplete sentences or badly constructed sentences wherein pieces of sentences have become disconnected from the main clause due to a misplaced period that may cut off a piece of. the sentence. *It is a basic rule in grammar that every sentence must contain at least one independent clause.

What is coordinate constructions?

The coordinating conjunctions (like and, or, but, and nor) are sure signs of compound construction. Any sentence element which can be joined by a coordinating conjunction should be parallel in construction.

MISPLACED SENTENCE ELEMENTS

The normal sentence order in English is subject, verb, and complement, with modifiers either before or after the word being modified. This permits certain flexibility in the placing of subordinate clauses, but the following must be observed: 1. Place modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify 2. Do not needlessly split a grammatical construction by the insertion of another sentence element.

Parts of speech

The part of speech indicates how the word functions in meaning as well as grammatically within the sentence. 1) Noun- is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. (e.g man, UST, cat , happiness) 2) Pronoun- is a word used in place of a noun. (e.g he, she, they, it) 3) Verb- A verb expresses action or being (e.g dancing, writing) 4) Adjective- modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. (e.g pretty, old, etc) 5) Adverb- modifies or describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. (e.g gently, carefully) 6) Preposition- is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in the sentence. (e.g by, with until, above, ) 7) Conjunction- joins words, phrases, or clauses. ( e.g and, but, or while, because) 8) Interjection- is a word used to express emotion.( e.g Oh! Wow!)

What is a predicate?

The predicate tells what the subject is or does.

(Kind of Clause) Dependent / Subordinate Clause

These are clauses that depend upon some other part of the sentence. It is therefore not complete without the principal clause.

(Kind of Clause) Independent / Principal Clause

These are clauses that make independent statements. It forms a complete sentence by itself. They are also referred to as principal clauses when used with subordinate clauses.

Irrelevant Ideas

These are ideas that do not help and contribute to the sentence. e.g A student, whether he or she goes to the University of the Philippines, a premier university in the country which is patterned after Harvard which is a premier college abroad, or any other college or university in the land, should be thankful for the educational opportunity. Improved: A student, whether he or she goes to a premier university like the University of the Philippines or to any other college or university, should be thankful for the educational opportunity.

What are infinitives?

They look like the to-form of verbs but act like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

What are run-together sentences?

This error is also known as the comma splice. This mistake is produced by a misplaced comma. It is the use of a comma to connect two independent clauses not conjoined by coordinating conjunctions.

(Type of Sentence Fragments) Fragment Infinitive Phrase

To get rich the best way how. That is the aim of every businessman I have met, and I doubt if I'll meet one with a different goal. Corrected: To get rich the best way how is the aim of every businessman I have met, and I doubt if I'll meet one with a different goal.

Subordination

To make main points stand out clearly, less important points must be made less conspicuous. Main ideas should be expressed in independent clauses, which are the backbone of any sentence. Minor descriptive details, qualifications, and incidental remarks should be put into subordinate constructions—dependent clauses, appositives, or modifying phrases.

Gaps in Thought

Try to put yourself in the place of your reader and try to read your sentence through his eyes. e.g Not clear: Maturing faster because of parents' divorcing does not hold true in all cases. The child may be rendered timid and insecure. Gaps filled in: When his parents are divorced, the shock may hasten the maturation of the child. But this does not always happen; divorce may also retard maturation and make the child timid and insecure.

Avoiding Anticlimax

When a sentence ends in a series of words varying in strength, they should be placed in climactic order, the strongest last, unless the writer intends to make an anticlimax for a humorous effect. e.g Anticlimactic: The new sales manager proved himself to be mercilessly cruel in discharging incompetents, stubborn and impolite. Improved: The new sales manager proved himself to be impolite, stubborn, and mercilessly cruel in discharging incompetents.

What is illogical coordination

When sentence elements are joined by and or another coordinating conjunction, the implication is that the elements are of equal weight and importance. If that is not really the case, one of them should be subordinated.

What is faulty subordination?

When the main idea of the sentence is placed in a subordinate construction, the resulting upside-down subordination makes the sentence weak. The context, of course, determines which ideas are relatively more, and which are relatively less important.

Identify what kind of phrase is used according to use: a) A group of students went past. b) I motioned to her to her with sweeping gestures. c) She liked being admired.

a) Adjectival Phrase b) Adverbial Phrase c) Noun Phrase

Compound Elements of a Sentence

a) Compound Subject - If the subject of the sentence consists of more than one noun or pronoun. e.g God's GRACE and LOVE are necessary to us. b) Compound Predicate - If the predicate consists of more than one verb. e.g You were WEIGHED, MEASURED, and FOUND WANTING.

Identify the IC and SC in the ff sentences: a) It was he who helped me get my confidence back. b)It is imperative that you keep your promise.

a) IC- it was he SC- who helped me get my confidence back b) IC- It is imperative SC- that you keep your promise

Identify the sentence classification according to use: a) Will I be needed further? b) The bus driver was tired from working all day. c) Oh, how I was looking forward to meeting you! d) Get here as quick as you can.

a) Interrogative b) Declarative c) Exclamatory d) Imperative

Natural and Transposed Order in Sentence

a) Natural Order - Subject first then predicate e.g TO BE FORGIVEN is such a sweet and liberating experience. b) Transposed Order - predicate first then subject e.g Up flew THE BIRDS

Identify what kind of phrase is used according to form: a) I am leaving in an hour. b) The boy wearing the baseball cap is our school's team captain. c) To be free is all I ask for.

a) Prepositional Phrase b) Participial Phrase c) Infinitive Phrase

What are the essential elements of a sentence?

a) Subject - part of the sentence that contains the person or thing performing the action (or verb) in a sentence - what is being discussed or spoken about in the sentence. - Complete Subject: subject with all its modifiers e.g CHILDREN are gifts b) Predicate - part of the sentence which tells us something about the subject - shows the action or verb - Complete Subject: with modifiers e.g Children ARE GIFTS

WORDY SENTENCES

can confuse and bore readers - use as few words as possible to express your meaning clearly - Unnecessary words and repetitions dilute the strength of a piece of writing. - Be as concise as clarity and fullness of statement permit. e.g Wordy: I am happy to announce that I grant your request. Improved: Yes.

What is a participial?

is a group of words consisting of a participle and the modifier and/or nouns, pronouns or noun phrases that function as the direct objects, indirect objects, or complements of the action or state expressed in the participle

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses. Parallel thoughts should be expressed in parallel grammatical form. Parallel method is one way of showing readers the relation between your ideas.

What are prepositions?

the words that indicate location, time, and relationship between noun and another noun.