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1. Tutorial 1: Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences
Use the following list of key terms to help you answer the questions that follow.
Term Definition
Conjunctive Words that indicate that the following clause is an independent clause;
Adverbs they also work as transitional devices, allowing the writer to indicate the
relationship between ideas in independent clauses. Some conjunctive
adverbs use more than one word: in fact, in contrast, as a result, that is
Coordinating A word that joins words or word groups with the same grammatical
Conjunction structure
Dependent A group of words that may contain a subject and a verb but does not
Clause contain a complete thought; a dependent clause is not a sentence
Independent Consists of a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought
Clause
Predicate A verbal phrase that shows the action or indicates a state of being for the
subject of the sentence
Subject A noun or pronoun that controls the verb in a sentence
Subordinating Conjunctions used to introduce dependent clauses
Conjunction
A simple sentence is a single independent clause. An independent clause consists of a subject and
a predicate and expresses a complete thought. Simple sentences are sometimes referred to
as complete sentences.
Example 1
The CFO felt certain that the merger would increase the company’s share price.
Example 2
Mr. Green managed his firm with an iron grip.
,A dependent clause may look like an independent clause because it contains a subject and a verb,
but a dependent clause doesn’t express a complete thought. A sentence fragment occurs when a
dependent clause is punctuated as a simple sentence. To fix the fragment, you can remove
the subordinating conjunction, or you can add a comma and an independent clause to form a
complete thought.
Common subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, if, in
order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Checkpoint
Identify the complete sentence.
Later, he called his portfolio manager.
Whenever opening or using communication software.
Before you make financial decisions.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Later, he called his portfolio manager is the only complete sentence. The other phrases are dependent
clauses.
A dependent clause is a group of words that may contain a subject and a predicate but does not
contain a complete thought. A dependent clause is not a complete sentence.
Compound Sentences
Most errors in sentence structure occur inside compound sentences. Compound sentences consist of
two independent clauses joined to form a single sentence. The independent clauses in a compound
sentence may be joined together in a number of ways: with a semicolon, with a coordinating
conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
Compound Sentence with a Semicolon:
This compound sentence pattern consists of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon. Use this
pattern when both independent clauses are of equal emphasis or when the second clause restates the
first.
Example 1
Poor workplace communication practices have resulted in high turnover rates; we have replaced three
administrative assistants in the last three months.
Example 2
HR will be hiring a new administrative assistant; qualified applicants should submit their resumes by
Friday, March 31.
Compound Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction:
,This compound sentence pattern consists of an independent clause followed by a comma,
a coordinating conjunction, and then another independent clause. There are seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. Use this pattern when both independent clauses are of
equal importance and you want to indicate the relationship between the two clauses.
Example 1
Salina wanted to join Toastmasters to improve her presentation skills, but the Toastmaster meetings
were held at the same time as her company's executive briefings.
Example 2
Jackson was looking forward to retirement, for he was planning a trip to India.
Compound Sentence with a Conjunctive Adverb:
This compound sentence pattern consists of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon and
a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma. Examples of conjunctive adverbs are therefore,
moreover, thus, consequently, however, and also. Use this pattern when you want to clarify or
comment upon the relationship between the ideas in two independent clauses.
Example 1
Alex began putting money in his 401(k) in his early 20s; consequently, he will have financial security
when he retires.
Example 2
Louise is the most qualified candidate for the position; therefore, we should hire her.
Checkpoint
Identify the correctly written compound sentences. Check all that apply.
Meaning in face-to-face meetings is derived largely from nonverbal cues thus good posture and
appropriate expressions are very important in a presentation.
Good speakers are well-prepared; rehearsals are an integral part of that preparation.
Using visuals during a presentation can help the audience remember information; however,
poorly designed visuals can hinder audience comprehension.
Graphic representations of information are more memorable than bulleted lists, therefore it is
important to incorporate graphics into your presentation visuals.
Points:
0.
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Compound sentences consist of two independent clauses joined to form a single sentence. The
independent clauses in a compound sentence may be joined together in a number of ways: with a
semicolon, with a coordinating conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
, A run-on sentence, or fused sentence, occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a
coordinating conjunction (for, and, but, nor, or, yet, so) that is not preceded by a comma. Run-on
sentences are incorrect and should not appear in your writing.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma and a conjunctive
adverb. Comma splices are also incorrect and should not appear in your writing.
Compound sentences may be punctuated in several different ways.
The following compound sentence is presented twice. Choose the best way to complete it from the
options provided in each instance.
Face-to-face meetings are productive; however, they can be time consuming.
Points:
1/1
Face-to-face meetings are productive, but they can be time consuming.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The best options for punctuating this sentence are either a semicolon followed by the conjunctive
adverb however and a comma, or the coordinating conjunction but preceded by a comma. Both of
these options allow the writer to indicate the relationship between the two clauses.
Connecting two independent clauses with only a comma would result in a comma splice.
Providing no punctuation would result in a run-on sentence.
Identify the error in the compound sentence below, and choose the best revision.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan he then presented
next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan and he then
presented next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan; he
then presented next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan, he then presented
next month’s projected sales.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Compound sentences may be constructed in three ways: with a semicolon, with a coordinating
conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
If a compound sentence does not correctly follow one of these three patterns, it is an instance of a run-
on sentence or a comma splice.
1. Tutorial 1: Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences
Use the following list of key terms to help you answer the questions that follow.
Term Definition
Conjunctive Words that indicate that the following clause is an independent clause;
Adverbs they also work as transitional devices, allowing the writer to indicate the
relationship between ideas in independent clauses. Some conjunctive
adverbs use more than one word: in fact, in contrast, as a result, that is
Coordinating A word that joins words or word groups with the same grammatical
Conjunction structure
Dependent A group of words that may contain a subject and a verb but does not
Clause contain a complete thought; a dependent clause is not a sentence
Independent Consists of a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought
Clause
Predicate A verbal phrase that shows the action or indicates a state of being for the
subject of the sentence
Subject A noun or pronoun that controls the verb in a sentence
Subordinating Conjunctions used to introduce dependent clauses
Conjunction
A simple sentence is a single independent clause. An independent clause consists of a subject and
a predicate and expresses a complete thought. Simple sentences are sometimes referred to
as complete sentences.
Example 1
The CFO felt certain that the merger would increase the company’s share price.
Example 2
Mr. Green managed his firm with an iron grip.
,A dependent clause may look like an independent clause because it contains a subject and a verb,
but a dependent clause doesn’t express a complete thought. A sentence fragment occurs when a
dependent clause is punctuated as a simple sentence. To fix the fragment, you can remove
the subordinating conjunction, or you can add a comma and an independent clause to form a
complete thought.
Common subordinating conjunctions include after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, if, in
order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Checkpoint
Identify the complete sentence.
Later, he called his portfolio manager.
Whenever opening or using communication software.
Before you make financial decisions.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Later, he called his portfolio manager is the only complete sentence. The other phrases are dependent
clauses.
A dependent clause is a group of words that may contain a subject and a predicate but does not
contain a complete thought. A dependent clause is not a complete sentence.
Compound Sentences
Most errors in sentence structure occur inside compound sentences. Compound sentences consist of
two independent clauses joined to form a single sentence. The independent clauses in a compound
sentence may be joined together in a number of ways: with a semicolon, with a coordinating
conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
Compound Sentence with a Semicolon:
This compound sentence pattern consists of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon. Use this
pattern when both independent clauses are of equal emphasis or when the second clause restates the
first.
Example 1
Poor workplace communication practices have resulted in high turnover rates; we have replaced three
administrative assistants in the last three months.
Example 2
HR will be hiring a new administrative assistant; qualified applicants should submit their resumes by
Friday, March 31.
Compound Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction:
,This compound sentence pattern consists of an independent clause followed by a comma,
a coordinating conjunction, and then another independent clause. There are seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. Use this pattern when both independent clauses are of
equal importance and you want to indicate the relationship between the two clauses.
Example 1
Salina wanted to join Toastmasters to improve her presentation skills, but the Toastmaster meetings
were held at the same time as her company's executive briefings.
Example 2
Jackson was looking forward to retirement, for he was planning a trip to India.
Compound Sentence with a Conjunctive Adverb:
This compound sentence pattern consists of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon and
a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma. Examples of conjunctive adverbs are therefore,
moreover, thus, consequently, however, and also. Use this pattern when you want to clarify or
comment upon the relationship between the ideas in two independent clauses.
Example 1
Alex began putting money in his 401(k) in his early 20s; consequently, he will have financial security
when he retires.
Example 2
Louise is the most qualified candidate for the position; therefore, we should hire her.
Checkpoint
Identify the correctly written compound sentences. Check all that apply.
Meaning in face-to-face meetings is derived largely from nonverbal cues thus good posture and
appropriate expressions are very important in a presentation.
Good speakers are well-prepared; rehearsals are an integral part of that preparation.
Using visuals during a presentation can help the audience remember information; however,
poorly designed visuals can hinder audience comprehension.
Graphic representations of information are more memorable than bulleted lists, therefore it is
important to incorporate graphics into your presentation visuals.
Points:
0.
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Compound sentences consist of two independent clauses joined to form a single sentence. The
independent clauses in a compound sentence may be joined together in a number of ways: with a
semicolon, with a coordinating conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
, A run-on sentence, or fused sentence, occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a
coordinating conjunction (for, and, but, nor, or, yet, so) that is not preceded by a comma. Run-on
sentences are incorrect and should not appear in your writing.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma and a conjunctive
adverb. Comma splices are also incorrect and should not appear in your writing.
Compound sentences may be punctuated in several different ways.
The following compound sentence is presented twice. Choose the best way to complete it from the
options provided in each instance.
Face-to-face meetings are productive; however, they can be time consuming.
Points:
1/1
Face-to-face meetings are productive, but they can be time consuming.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The best options for punctuating this sentence are either a semicolon followed by the conjunctive
adverb however and a comma, or the coordinating conjunction but preceded by a comma. Both of
these options allow the writer to indicate the relationship between the two clauses.
Connecting two independent clauses with only a comma would result in a comma splice.
Providing no punctuation would result in a run-on sentence.
Identify the error in the compound sentence below, and choose the best revision.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan he then presented
next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan and he then
presented next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan; he
then presented next month’s projected sales.
The CFO discussed stakeholder concerns in relation to the financial turnaround plan, he then presented
next month’s projected sales.
Points:
1/1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Compound sentences may be constructed in three ways: with a semicolon, with a coordinating
conjunction, or with a conjunctive adverb.
If a compound sentence does not correctly follow one of these three patterns, it is an instance of a run-
on sentence or a comma splice.
