5.1 Sentence Structure and Boundaries

Sentence Structure and Boundaries

To excel on the TSIA2 ELAR, you must understand sentence boundaries and clauses. Writing errors related to sentence structure—specifically fragments, fused run-on sentences, and comma splices—are heavily tested. Recognizing these errors requires analyzing how clauses are constructed and connected.

Understanding Clauses: The Building Blocks

A sentence comprises one or more clauses. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. There are two primary types:

1. Independent Clause: Contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought; it can stand alone.
   • Example: The student prepared diligently for the exam.
2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause: Starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, since). It cannot stand alone.
   • Example: Because the student prepared diligently for the exam.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence punctuated as a full sentence. It lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

Common Types of Fragments and Corrections

• Missing Subject: Lacks the actor of the verb.
  • Incorrect: Walked to the library to study.
  • Correct: Classmates walked to the library to study.
• Missing Verb: Lacks a main finite verb.
  • Incorrect: The essay outline, which was submitted last Tuesday.
  • Correct: The essay outline, which was submitted last Tuesday, was excellent.
• Dependent Clause: A subordinate clause left standing alone.
  • Incorrect: Although she understood the rules.
  • Correct: Although she understood the rules, she still reviewed the questions.

To correct a fragment, supply the missing subject or verb, or connect the dependent clause to an adjacent independent clause.

Fused Run-on Sentences

A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined with absolutely no punctuation or conjunctions. This error forces two distinct thoughts to run together, confusing the reader.

• Incorrect: The database contains thousands of scholarly articles researchers use it daily to find sources.
• Correct: The database contains thousands of scholarly articles; researchers use it daily to find sources.

Comma Splices

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. In standard English, a comma alone is not strong enough to separate independent clauses.

• Incorrect: The academic advisor recommended taking history, the student decided to take sociology instead.
• Correct: The academic advisor recommended taking history; however, the student decided to take sociology instead.

Four Methods to Correct Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

1. Use a Period: Create two distinct sentences.
   • Example: The advisor recommended history. The student chose sociology.
2. Use a Semicolon: Join the clauses if they are closely related.
   • Example: The advisor recommended history; the student chose sociology.
3. Use a Comma and Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS): Connect using a comma plus for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.
   • Example: The advisor recommended history, but the student chose sociology.
4. Subordinate one clause: Use a subordinating conjunction to show relation.
   • Example: Although the advisor recommended history, the student chose sociology.

Transitional Adverbs: The Comma Splice Trap

A common TSIA2 trap involves words like however, therefore, consequently, furthermore, and instead. These are conjunctive adverbs, not coordinating conjunctions. When connecting independent clauses, they require a semicolon (or period) before them and a comma after. A comma alone is a comma splice.

• Incorrect: The research team gathered the samples, however, they did not analyze them until morning.
• Correct: The research team gathered the samples; however, they did not analyze them until morning.
• Correct: The research team gathered the samples. However, they did not analyze them until morning.

Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions

How you connect clauses determines the punctuation you must use.

Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Coordinating conjunctions connect elements of equal grammatical rank. When joining two independent clauses, place a comma immediately before the coordinating conjunction.

• Example: She wanted to pass the test, so she studied every night.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. The placement of the dependent clause determines whether a comma is required:

• Dependent Clause First: Use a comma after the introductory dependent clause.
  • Example: Since the exam was challenging, many students studied in groups.
• Independent Clause First: Do not use a comma before the subordinate clause.
  • Example: Many students studied in groups since the exam was challenging.

Sentence Types and Punctuation Quick-Reference

The table below summarizes the four primary sentence structures, their formulas, and the punctuation rules: