Grammar Exercise - Sentence Structure

Grammar Exercise - Sentence Structure

Learn to identify and use the building blocks of a sentence: main and subordinate clauses. Learn to identify and correct faults in sentence structure.

Part a) What is a clause? What is the difference between the two types of clauses?

A clause is a group of words that include a subject and a predicate. Dependent/subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as sentences whereas independent/main clauses can.

Write an example of each type of clause.

Subordinate Clause: especially when they are fried.

Main Clause: I like potatoes.

In the following paragraph, identify subordinate (dependent) clauses with parentheses () and main (independent) clauses with brackets [].

Whenever the arrows of outrageous fortune threaten Albert), [he resolves to get a job]. (Unemployment is) [what he knows best]. Nevertheless, the threat of eviction from his apartment, [which looms like a black cloud], is very unpleasant. [Albert's landlord seems serious this time] (because the eviction notice arrived by priority post). [the clock has just struck noon], and [Albert has decided to search for gainful employment.]

Part B) Identify sentence faults in the following paragraph: enclose sentence fragments in brackets [], enclose fused sentences in parentheses (), and underline comma splices.

Albert's first stop is the fast-food restaurant at the corner of Clementine and Main. There is a "Help Wanted" sign in the window, however it asks for experience in burger-flipping. [Which Albert has never done.] in fact, the only jobs he's ever held, briefly, were in the Department of Physics at Queen's University. (One involved writing grant proposals the other involved tutoring graduate students). Albert decides not to enter the fast-food restaurant.

Part C) Write a correct version of the previous paragraph.

Albert's first stop is the fast-food restaurant at the corner of Clementine and Main. There is a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. However, it asks for experience in burger flipping and Albert has never flipped burgers. In fact, the only jobs he's ever held were brief ones in the Department of Physics at Queen's University. One job involved writing grant proposals; the other involved tutoring graduate students. Albert decides not to enter the fast-food restaurant.

EXERCISE 2: SENTENCE STRUCTURING II

Learn to use subordination and coordination in order to show relationships between ideas in sentences. Learn to identify and correct faulty parallelism.

Part a) Combine each of the following sets of sentences into one sentence that is an example of coordination and one sentence that is an example of subordination.

1) Suzanne liked the control that driving her own car gave her. David preferred the freedom of traveling by train.

Coordination: Suzanne liked the control that driving her own car gave her, and David preferred the freedom of traveling by train.

Subordination: Suzanne liked control, which driving her own car gave her; David preferred freedom, which traveling by train gave him.

2) Cuba is a popular holiday destination. Canadians flock to the south when harsh winter winds blow.

Coordination: Cuba is a popular holiday destination, and Canadians flock to the south when harsh winter winds blow.

Subordination: Cuba is a popular holiday destination for Canadians, who flock to the south when harsh winter winds blow.

3) Travel guides provide the best way to learn about an unfamiliar location. Meandering and exploring yield unique and fascinating travel experiences.

Coordination: Travel guides provide the best way to learn about an unfamiliar location, but meandering and exploring also yield unique and fascinating travel experiences.

Subordination: Travel guides provide the best way to learn about an unfamiliar location, but only meandering and exploring yield unique and fascinating travel experiences.

Part B) Describe in a sentence the meaning of parallelism, or parallel structure.

Write a sentence that uses parallel structure and contains one semi-colon.

In his free time Jason watches sports like hockey and football; plays video games like World of Warcraft and Halo; and reads books by Stephen King.

Write a sentence that uses parallel structure and contains a list of actions.

The best warm-up exercises include stretching hamstrings, pumping fifty pushups, and running around the block.

Write a sentence that uses parallel structure and contains a coordinating conjunction.