Sentence Errors

1. Fragment: group of words that does not express a complete thought. It lacks
either a subject or a predicate.

Example: while serving the country

Complete Sentence: Teachers need to survive while serving the country

2. Run-on Sentences: two or more independent clauses joined without proper

punctuation or conjunction. To correct run-on sentences, follow the rules below:

Rule a. Use appropriate end marks to separate sentences.

Run-on She teaches in the elementary school she handles 60 students for
each class
Corrected She teaches in the elementary school. She handles 60 students for
each class.

Rule b. Use comma-conjunction to join two independent clauses.

Run-on Many students are protesting against the budget proposal they are
holding demonstrations outside the municipal hall.
Corrected Many students are protesting against the budget proposal, and
they are holding demonstrations outside the municipal hall.

Rule c. Use a semicolon to join two closely related thoughts.

Run-on Concordia didn’t want to become a teacher she wanted to be a

doctor.
Corrected Concordia didn’t want to become a teacher; she wanted to be a
doctor.

Note: When transitions (e.g., however, for example, moreover) are used to join
independent clauses, a semi-colon is placed before it and a comma after it.

Rule d. Correct the run-on by breaking it into simple sentences.

Run-on Amelita is the new headmaster of the school, she encourages all
her teachers to update their knowledge.

Corrected Amelita, who is the new headmaster of the school, encourages all
her teachers to update their knowledge.
 Rule e. Correct the run-on by writing it to form a complex sentence.
Run-on Her family believes there is no wealth in teaching the pay is low.

Corrected Her family believes there is no wealth in teaching because the pay
is low.

3. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Misplaced-If a modifier is placed near a word it doesn’t describe

Dangling- If a modifier appears to modify the wrong word or the word it modifies is missing

• In correcting a misplaced modifier, pace the modifier near the word it modifies.
• In correcting a dangling modifier, supply the missing word being modified.

Examples:

MM: Teachers facilitated the election, who stayed up all night.

Corrected: Teachers, who stayed up all night, facilitated the election.

MM: Corrected: Carmela experienced a busy election crowded with people.

Corrected: Teachers, who stayed up all night, facilitated the election.

DM: Exercising the right to vote, the classrooms were filled.

Corrected: Exercising the right to vote, Filipinos filled the classrooms.

 Wordiness

A redundant expression says the same thing twice, and doublespeak avoids getting
directly to the point. Both are examples of wordy expressions. Other such expressions use
more than one word when one word is simpler and more direct—for example, using the
phrase in the vicinity of instead of near.

Redundant expressions

In writing, redundancy means conveying the same meaning twice. Like other kinds of
wordiness, redundancy makes writing seem cluttered. Sometimes people use redundant
expressions because they don't know the precise definition of a word. For example, close
proximity is redundant because proximity by itself means nearness. Ask yourself: Is there
any other kind of nearness than close nearness? Other times people use redundant
expressions because they don't pay attention to what they are writing: small in size, few
in number, or red in color.
New wordy expressions are created every day. Check your writing for similar roundabout
ways of saying what you mean.

• after the conclusion of = after: After the concert we left not After the conclusion
of the concert we left.
• all of = all: All the boys came not All of the boys came.
• any and all = any or all: We appreciate any suggestions not We appreciate any
and all suggestions.
• at the present moment, at this point in time = now: We are looking for a
solution now not We are looking for a solution at the present moment.
• by means of = by: He came by car not He came by means of a car.
• due to the fact that = because: Because he called, we waited not Due to the fact
that he called, we waited.
• for the purpose of (+ gerund) = to: The meeting is to discuss plans not The meeting
is for the purpose of discussing plans.
• he is a man who is = he is: He is admired not He is a man who is admired.
• In a place where = where: They lived where no trees grew not They lived in a place
where no trees grew.
• in connection with = about: He telephoned about the rally not He telephoned in
connection with the rally.
• in order to = to: He said this to help you not He said this in order to help you.
• in spite of the fact that = although or though: Although she agreed, she was sad
not In spite of the fact that she agreed, she was sad.
• in the near future = soon: We'll see you soon not We'll see you in the near future.
• in view of the fact that = because: Because she helped us, we won not In view of
the fact that she helped us, we won.
• is located in = is in: Ventura County is in California not Ventura County is located
in California.
• on the part of = by: A suggestion by the consultant helped not A suggestion on the
part of the consultant helped.
• owing to the fact that = because: Because he was here, we stayed not Owing to
the fact that he was here, we stayed.
• rarely ever = rarely: She rarely speaks to a large group not She rarely ever speaks
to a large group.
• the fact is that, the truth is that = often omit altogether: You are the right candidate
not The fact is that you are the right candidate.
• which was when = when: I spoke with him yesterday when he called not I spoke
with him yesterday, which was when he called.
• with the exception of = except: I like all sports except boxing not I like all sports with
the exception of boxing.