LA - Sentence Formation Lesson

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Sentence Formation

The Writing and Language section of the SAT will require students to know how to form sentences correctly. Sounds easy enough, right? You may be thinking, "I've known how to write a sentence since the first grade. How hard can it be?" Specifically, the SAT will address fragments and run-on sentences. The test will also focus on parallel structure and whether you can edit a non-parallel sentence to make it parallel.

Parallel Structure

Whenever you write a sentence that includes a list of actions or items, you must use equal grammatical units. If the first item in your sentence is a noun, then everything following must be a noun. If the first action is a past tense verb, then all of your actions must be past tense verbs.

  • A good writer uses parallel structure; that is, he or she puts nouns, verbs, phrases, and thoughts into a similar form. This is done primarily for style: it makes the writing easier to read and in turn, easier for the reader to understand. Often, sentences that seem to be correct but just sound wrong have a lack of parallelism at the core of their problem. The ability to write a good parallel sentence is invaluable in essay work. Faulty parallelism, on the other hand, produces an effect in your reader similar to changing gears without using the clutch. A successful parallel sentence reads smoothly, while a faulty parallel sentence lurches awkwardly.
  • Parallelism requires that an article (a, an or the) or preposition (a word governing, and usually preceding a noun or pronoun, and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, as in "the man on the platform," "she arrived after dinner," "what did you do it for?" ) applying to all members of a series must either appear before the first item only or be repeated before each item.
  • Some words require that certain prepositions precede them. When such words appear in parallel structure, it is important to include all of the appropriate prepositions, since the first one may not apply to the whole series of items.
  • Sentences with correlative expressions (both/and; not/but; not only/but also; either/or; first, second, third) should employ parallel structure as well. Simple rewriting can often remedy errors in these types of sentences.

Example of a non-parallel sentence:  Students spend their time going to classes, studying, working, and they wish they had time for a social life.

Parallel Structure:  Students spend their time going to classes, studying, working, and wishing for a social life.

Since the sentence utilizes gerunds (noun made from a verb by adding -ing, like going, studying, working, etc.), all of the words must be gerunds for the sentence to be parallel. You can't say, "they wish they had time for a social life." Changing the verb form to "wishing for a social life" makes the sentence correct.

Here is a chart that should help you discern between parallel and non-parallel words and phrases:

 

Parallelism

 Writing: Parallel structure Basic example: Watch Sal work through a basic grammar item testing parallel structure.

 

Fragments and Run-Ons

A sentence must contain both a subject and a verb in order to express a complete thought. A sentence that does not express a complete thought is a fragment.   Sometimes a group of words contains a subject and a verb but is still incomplete. These are called dependent clauses, which are also fragments.

A run-on sentence is when more than one independent clause has been fused together but does not utilize appropriate punctuation. A run-on can also occur when there is a comma splice. This is when a comma has been placed in the middle of two independent clauses.

For example:  Because I told you so.  

This is an example of a fragment. It actually contains both a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. It is a dependent clause making the sentence a fragment.

Here is a run-on sentence that uses no punctuation:  My favorite thing about summer is getting to go to the beach with my family I really enjoy the hot sun and relaxing waves.

If you take that same sentence and add a comma, you have created a comma splice, which is also a run-on sentence.

My favorite thing about summer is getting to go to the beach with my family, I really enjoy the hot sun and relaxing waves.

You cannot put a comma in the middle of two independent clauses.   There are three ways to correct this type of sentence. 

 

You can make it two separate sentences:  My favorite thing about summer is getting to go to the beach with my family.  I really enjoy the hot sun and relaxing waves.

Or

You can add a comma accompanied with conjunction: My favorite thing about summer is getting to go to the beach with my family, and I really enjoy the hot sun and relaxing waves.

Or

You can add a semi-colon:  My favorite thing about summer is getting to go to the beach with my family; I really enjoy the hot sun and relaxing waves.

Sentence Formation Self-Assessment

It's time to review this lesson with the following self-assessment. 

 

Determine whether the following sentences are parallel. If not, correct the sentence to make it parallel.

 

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