Notes
Outline
Errors in Usage
Chapter 10
p. 150
Sentence Fragments
Overview
Independent Clause—complete sentence with subject & verb
Dependent Clause—has subject and verb but cannot stand alone
Sentence Fragments
Subordinating conjunctions tie dependent clauses to the sentence
Whereas
The left brain is analytical.  Whereas the right brain is creative.
Sentence Fragments
Whereas
The left brain is analytical.  Whereas the right brain is creative.
The left brain is analytical, whereas the right brain is creative.
Sentence Fragments
Although
Unlike doctors, lawyers are ready to practice when they get their degrees.  Although it is often necessary to take an expensive course in order to pass the exam.
Sentence Fragments
Although
Although it is often necessary to take an expensive course in order to pass the exam, lawyers, unlike doctors, are ready to practice when they get their degrees.
Sentence Fragments
Relative Clauses—begin with who, whom, whose, which
Which
The voters rejected bilingual education.  Which had received much negative publicity.
Sentence Fragments
Verbals—parts of verbs
Being
The small towns are dying.  One of the problems being that young people are leaving.
Sentence Fragments
Verbals—parts of verbs
Being
The small towns are dying, one of the problems being that young people are leaving.
Comma Splices
Joining two complete sentence only with a comma instead of a comma and a conjunction word (and, but, or, etc.)
Comma Splices
The first part of the book gave Jim no problem, it was the second part that baffled him.
The first part of the book gave Jim no problem.  It was the second part that baffled him.
Comma Splices
The first part of the book gave Jim no problem, but it was the second part that baffled him.
Although the first part of the book gave Jim no problem, the second part baffled him.
Compound Sentences
Two complete sentences joined by a conjunction word should be separated by a comma.
Compound Sentences
John went to the movies and Mike went to the store.
John went to the movies, and Mike went to the store.
Run-On Sentences
Two complete sentences run together without punctuation
Run-On Sentences
The success of horror movies is not surprising some people have always enjoyed being frightened.
The success of horror movies is not surprising.  Some people have always enjoyed being frightened.
Run-On Sentences
The success of horror movies is not surprising some people have always enjoyed being frightened.
The success of horror movies is not surprising because people have always enjoyed being frightened.
Parallel Structures
Items in a list should be parallel or identical in structure.
Parallel Structures
A good employee is dedicated, hard-working, and will make sacrifices.
A good employee is dedicated, hard-working, and self-sacrificial.