Week 5 -Thursday
The basic unit of written English is the sentence . A sentence is composed of a subject and a predicate . The subject is the noun or noun phrase doing the action. The predicate contains the verb that does the action and (optionally) the object that it's done to. Example: Verb He took a sample of my pasta. Subject Predicate
There are three kinds of sentences in formal writing: Simple sentences , with a single subject and predicate Compound sentences , with two simple sentences joined together Complex sentences , with a simple sentence and a subordinate clause Make sure you know which one of the three you're using whenever you write a sentence.
A simple sentence has one subject and one verb. Example: I need some bread. In this example, "I" is the subject and "need" is the verb. "Some bread" is the direct object of the verb "need." Simple sentences are fine, but a collection of them sounds childish and disjointed. Use a simple sentence to break up other, more complicated sentences.
Compound sentences join two simple sentences together. With a comma and a coordinating conjunction: Walter cooks crystal meth, but Jesse wants a happy life. With a semicolon and (optionally) a conjunctive adverb: The sky is clear; the stars are bright. Peggy has great ideas; however, Don fails to give her credit. In compound sentences, the sentences being joined should be related.
To make a compound sentence with a comma and a coordinating conjunction, remember FANBOYS when you're trying to remember which conjunctions are allowed: for and nor but or yet so Obviously "and" and "but" do the heavy lifting, but a few of the others can be useful from time to time
Complex sentences join a simple sentence with a subordinate clause (using a subordinating conjunction). The subordinate clause cannot stand on its own. Example: Although he ate a kitten for breakfast, he was still hungry. When the subordinate clause comes first, you must put a comma between it and the simple sentence. When the subordinate clause comes after the simple sentence, there's no need for a comma: She returned the computer because it smelled awful.
As mentioned, before coordinating conjunctions that join two simple 1. sentences into a compound sentence As mentioned, after a dependent clause that starts a sentence 2. To mark appositives , phrases that act as synonyms or offer additional 3. information: A mallard , a kind of duck, attacked me. To separate items in a series: 4. Macadamias , almonds , walnuts , and pistachios are kinds of nuts. After introductory adverbs: 5. Finally , I was able to wash my hair. Between adjectives that modify the same noun: 6. Tell me more about that big , literate octopus. There are a few other cases for commas (separating numbers and addresses or direct quotations), but these are the big ones.
When three or more items are listed, you separate the first items with commas, but do you put a comma before the "and" that precedes the last item? People disagree. Using the "Oxford comma" means that you put that comma there: I'd like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand, and God. Leaving out the Oxford comma is more logical, but it can lead to ambiguity: I'd like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand and God. Use either style, but be consistent.
A run-on sentence improperly joins two independent clauses A special kind of run-on sentence, a comma splice , joins two independent clauses with a comma only A sentence fragment is missing either a subject or a predicate
A run-on sentence improperly joins two independent clauses: I drink the blood of my enemies they are numerous. Fixes: I drink the blood of my enemies. They are numerous. I drink the blood of my enemies, yet they are numerous. I drink the blood of my enemies; however, they are numerous. Although I drink the blood of my enemies, they are numerous.
A comma splice joins two independent clauses with a comma only Example: John plays the banjo, he is a strange man. Fixes: John plays the banjo, and he is a strange man. John plays the banjo; he is a strange man. John plays the banjo. He is a strange man. John plays the banjo because he is a strange man.
A sentence fragment is missing either a subject or a predicate Example (missing subject): Shows no improvement in programming skills. Fix: Bill Gates shows no improvement in programming skills. Example (missing verb): The wombats, who were skilled in ninjutsu, which is a form of martial art. Fix: The wombats, who were skilled in ninjutsu, killed everyone in the village with this form of martial art.
There/they're/their Its/it's Could of/could have Lie/lay When in doubt, look it up: https://brians.wsu.edu/common-errors-in-english-usage/
Project 2, the design document, is due next Friday Assignment 3, the rough draft, is due the Friday after that
Recommend
More recommend
