Common sentence structure mistakes

There are two common mistakes impacting sentence structure: sentence fragments and run-on sentences.

A fragment is an incomplete sentence. In sentence fragments usually the subject or verb are missing. A fragment can also be a dependent clause on its own without being properly linked to an independent clause.
Fragments can be fixed in the following ways:
- Attaching the fragment to an independent clause nearby:
  Original: Unlike spoken language in which speakers may use dependent clauses as full sentences. In academic writing, dependent clauses should only be used as parts of a sentence.
  Revised: Unlike spoken language in which speakers may use dependent clauses as full sentences, in academic writing, dependent clauses should only be used as parts of a sentence.
- Including the missing subject, verb or both:
  Original: Technology to schedule timetables that cluster classes over fewer days to reduce students’ total commute time.
  Revised: The University [subject] can use [verb] technology to schedule timetables that cluster classes over fewer days to reduce students’ total commute time.
Run-on sentences occur when two or more complete sentences get connected to each other without any punctuation.
Run-on sentences can be fixed in the following ways:
- Separating the independent clauses to two simple sentences with a full stop:
  Original: It sometimes takes more than a decade to implement research findings in clinical practice it is often difficult to sustain innovations over time.
  Revised: It sometimes takes more than a decade to implement research findings in clinical practice. It is often difficult to sustain innovations over time.
- Separating the independent clauses with a semicolon:
  Original: Participants were informed that the interview was confidential they were also given a consent form to sign before the interview.
  Revised: Participants were informed that the interview was confidential; they were also given a consent form to sign.
- Separating the independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
  Original: On-the-job training is perceived as a more efficient way of implementing research results into practice it is at the same time more resource-intensive.
  Revised: On-the-job training is perceived as a more efficient way of implementing research results into practice, but it is at the same time more resource-intensive.

Note

Consider the following questions when writing to avoid sentence structure issues:

Are all my sentences well-structured? Are all elements where they should be?
Do all my sentences have a subject? Is it clear who is doing the action?
Do all my sentences have a verb?
Are there any incomplete sentences included?
Are all sentences punctuated correctly?

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Student Academic Success

Student Academic Success

Common sentence structure mistakes

Note