Review on structure of English with

emphasis on:

Subject and Verb Agreement

Sentence Structure
Fragments
Run-ons
Parallelism
Misplaced and Dangling Modifier
Paragraph Structure
Subject and Verb Agreement
Subject verb agreement refers to the fact that the subject
and verb in a sentence must agree in number.
Rule 1
-A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of.
This is a key rule for understanding subjects.

Rule 2
–Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or
neither/nor require a singular verb.
Rule 3
-As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more
subjects when they are connected by and.

Rule 4
-Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such
words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc.

Rule 5 -In sentences beginning with ‘here’ or ‘there’, the true

subject follows the verb.
Rule 6
-Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of
money, etc., when considered as a unit.

Rule 7
-With collective nouns such as group, jury, family, audience,
population, the verb might be singular or plural, depending on
the writer's intent.
Sentence Structure
Sentence structure is the way a sentence is
arranged, grammatically. In English, we have
four main sentence structures: the simple
sentence, the compound sentence, the complex
sentence, and the compound-complex sentence.

Each uses a specific combination of independent

and dependent clauses to help make sure that our
sentences are strong, informational, and most
importantly, that they make sense.
 Parts of Sentence Structure
• Independent Clause
Independent clause are key parts of every sentence structure. Aside from that, it
can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and makes sense on
its own as a complete sentence.
• Dependent (Subordinate Clause
A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an
independent clause to become complete. This is also known as a subordinate
clause.
• Conjunction
A conjunction is a word in a sentence that connects other words, phrases and
clauses. Conjunctions are important because they let us combine information, but
still keep ideas separate so that they are easy to understand.
Types of Sentence Structure
a. Simple sentence
A simple sentence contains only one independent clause. In fact, an independent clause
itself is a simple sentence.
b. Compound sentence
A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses. It uses a conjunction like
“and”, coma or with a semicolon to connect the ideas.
c. Complex sentence
A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause. (A dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun,
and contains a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.)
d. Compound-complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and one
dependent clause—so, it uses conjunction(s) to combine two complete sentences and at least
one incomplete sentence.
Fragments
Fragments are incomplete sentences. More often than not a
fragmentary sentence is the result of careless writing rather
than the ignorance of sentence structure. Usually fragments
are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from
the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is
to remove the period between the fragment and the main
clause. Other kind of punctuation may be needed for the
newly combined sentence.
 There are 3 steps or tips to remember when
writing sentences to avoid fragments.

• Start every sentence with a

Person, Place, or thing.
• Avoid sentences with Which,
Who, Like , and Such as.
• Avoid starting sentences with an
ING word.
Examples: Guess if it is a Sentence or
Sentence Fragment.
1. The amazed Family.
2. The students are bored.
3. Jorge enjoys.
4. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the
ballet recital.
5. One of the few who made studying
english easy.
Run-Ons
• A run-on sentence occurs when two or more
independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are
connected improperly.
Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I
had time
There are two sentences in the above example:
Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had time
 One common type of run-on sentence is a comma splice. A
comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are
joined with just a comma.

• Example of Comma Splice: Participants could leave the study

at any time, they needed to indicate their preference.
Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time
Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their preference
Some comma splices occur when a writer attempts to use a
transitional expression in the middle of a sentence.
 Correcting Run-Ons
• A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to connect
independent clauses.
• Use a period. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller sentences using a
period. This revision works especially well with longer sentences. Check, however, to make sure
that this solution does not result in short, choppy sentences.
• Revision example: I love to write papers. I would write one every day if I had a the time
• Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a grammatically
correct sentence. Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes a close relationship between
the two sentences.
• Revision example: I love to write papers; I would write one every day if I had a the time
• Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction
(e.g., "and," "but," or "or"), corrects a run-on sentence. This method emphasizes the relationship
between the two clauses.
• Revision example: I love to write papers; and, I would write one every day if I had a the time
• Use a subordinating conjunction. Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. A
subordinating conjunction (e.g., "because," "unless," and "although") connects two clauses to create
a complex sentence. This option works to cement the relationship between the two parts of the
sentence and may improve the flow of the clauses.
• Example: Because I love to write papers, I would write one every day if I had the time
However you decide to revise for run-on sentences, remember that maintaining sentence variety helps
to keep the writing clear and interesting for your readers.
Parallelism
-balanced or equal
-reduce repetition and wordiness
-elements should be parallel -it is a speaking or writing
technique, balancing or adjusting parts of a sentence
Rules of Parallelism
1.Used with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions
Ex.
Janet likes cooking and to read. (Incorrect)
Janet likes cooking and reading. (Correct)
2. Used with elements in lists or series.
Ex. This task can be done individually, in pairs or can be
done in groups of four. (Incorrect)
This task can be done individually, in pairs or in group of
four. (Correct)
3. Used with elements being compared.
Ex. April is mad watching TV more than to read a book.
(Incorrect)
April is mad watching TV more than reading a book.
(Correct)
4. Used with elements joined by a linking verb or form of
being.
Ex. To learn is understanding the world. (Incorrect)
To learn is to understand the world. (Correct)
5. Used with elements joined by linking words. Ex.
Susan only wants his students to keep quiet but also to
do the task. (Incorrect) Susan wants his students not
only to keep quiet but also to do the task. (Correct)

Examples of Parallelism:
1. Mona can sing and dance.
2. We enjoy cooking and baking.
3. She is beautiful and talented.
4. I like to watch documentaries and to travel abroad.
5. Jenna acted quickly and carefully.
6. Filipinos love comedies, drama and documentaries.
Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the
word it modifies / describes. 
Because of the separation, sentences with this error often sound awkward, ridiculous,
or confusing.  Furthermore, they can be downright illogical.

Example:

Misplaced modifiers can usually be corrected by moving the modifier to a more sensible place

in the sentence, generally next to the word it modifies. 

Example:

There are several kinds of misplaced modifiers:

1. Misplaced adjectives are incorrectly separated from the nouns they modify and almost
always distort the intended meaning.
 Example:

Correct the error by placing the adjective next to the noun it modifies.     

Corrected

2. Placement of adverbs can also change meaning in sentences.

Often, misplacing an adverb not only alters the intended meaning, but also creates a sentence whose
meaning is highly unlikely or completely ridiculous.
     Example:

To repair the meaning, move the adverb slowly so that it is near ate.

3. Misplaced phrases  may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that does not
make sense.
The problem sentence below contain misplaced phrases that  modify the wrong nouns. 
To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the phrases next to the noun they are supposed to modify. 
Example:

Corrected

4.  Misplaced clauses may cause a sentence to sound awkward and may create a meaning that
does not make sense.
The problem sentence below contain misplaced clauses that  modify the wrong nouns. 
To fix the errors and clarify the meaning, put the clauses next to the noun they are supposed to
modify. 
Example:

Corrected
Dangling Modifier
 A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the
word or words it modifies  (i.e. is placed next to).
Two notes about dangling modifiers:
• Unlike a misplaced modifier, a dangling modifier cannot be corrected by simply moving
it to a different place in a sentence.
• In most cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of the sentence, although it
can also come at the end.
Sometimes the dangling modifier error occurs because the sentence fails to specify anything
to which the modifier can refer.  
Example  1:

Example 2:

This sentence means that my mother enrolled in medical when she was nine years old!
At other times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun substitute.   

Example 1:

Example 2:

How to correct dangling modifiers

Dangling modifiers may be corrected in two general ways.

Correction Method #1
1. Leave the modifier as it is.
2. Change the main part of the sentence so that it begins with the term actually modified.  
3. This change will put the modifier next to the term it modifies.
  
Thus, this dangling modifier

may be corrected to

   Now the sentence means that I was looking toward the west. 
Using the same method, this dangling modifier

  may be corrected to

 Now the sentence means that Jim was drenched by the cloudburst.

Correction Method #2
1. Change the dangling modifier phrase to a subordinate clause, creating a subject and verb.
2. Leave the rest of the sentence as it is.
  
Thus, the dangling modifier

may be corrected to
  
Now the sentence means that I  (not my mother!) was nine years old when my mother enrolled in
medical school.

Using the same method, the dangling modifier

may be corrected to 

  Now the sentence means that the car (not Priscilla!) was fixed.

 
Paragraph Structure
Paragraphs are the units of organization for your essay. It develops
one main idea through a series of related sentences. This main idea is
usually introduced in the first sentence of the paragraph, called the
topic sentence. The idea is then developed further through the
sentences that follow.

A. Topic Sentence (TS) - the beginning

A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph.
This will be your way of announcing the main focus of your
paragraph; it should tell the reader what your paragraph will be about.
My Dog Romeo is so much fun to play with. One reason he’s fun is because he
loves to play catch. What’s also fun is that he follows me around the house
with a toy and drops it on my foot, so I will kick it. Additionally, he can catch
just about anything, but his favorite thing to catch is a Frisbee. Finally, he loves
it when I pretend like I’m falling dead, and he runs over to lick me. All these
reasons show why I really have fun playing with Romeo.

B. Supporting Sentences (SS) - the middle

This sentences are called “supporting” because they support, explain, or
back up the idea expressed in the topic sentence.
Example:
My Dog Romeo is so much fun to play with. One reason he’s fun is
because he loves to play catch. What’s also fun is that he follows me around
the house with a toy and drops it on my foot, so I will kick it. Additionally, he
can catch just about anything, but his favorite thing to catch is a Frisbee.
Finally, he loves it when I pretend like I’m falling dead, and he runs over to
lick me. All these reasons show why I really have fun playing with Romeo.
C. Concluding Sentence (CS) - the end

Concluding sentence is the sentence at the end of the paragraph which

summarizes the information that has been presented. It can also serves
different purposes such as giving your final thoughts or personal
opinion and sometimes works as transition to the next paragraph.
Example:
My Dog Romeo is so much fun to play with. One reason he’s fun is
because he loves to play catch. What’s also fun is that he follows me
around the house with a toy and drops it on my foot, so I will kick it.
Additionally, he can catch just about anything, but his favorite thing to
catch is a Frisbee. Finally, he loves it when I pretend like I’m falling
dead, and he runs over to lick me. All these reasons show why I really
have fun playing with Romeo.
Process to write a paragraph
There are five steps to write a good paragraph.
BRAINSTORMING
In this step you should think and write down any ideas about a topic you want to
write about.
ORGANIZING IDEAS
In this step you should organize your ideas by creating a cluster or an outline
about what you want to write about.
WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT
In this step you should write your paragraph for the first time, not taking much
into account about the cohesion, coherence grammar, or spelling.
EDITING
In this step you should revise all the errors abut coherence and cohesion that your
paragraph may have.
FINAL WORK
In this step you should revise all the spelling or grammar errors. And that’s it.
Your paragraph is done.