What are common sentence construction errors to avoid?

Sentence Construction And Errors Questions Medium



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What are common sentence construction errors to avoid?

There are several common sentence construction errors that should be avoided in writing. These errors include:

1. Run-on sentences: These occur when two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. To avoid run-on sentences, it is important to use appropriate punctuation (such as commas, semicolons, or periods) or conjunctions (such as "and," "but," or "or") to separate and connect ideas.

2. Fragments: Fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, verb, or both. They often occur when a dependent clause is used as a standalone sentence. To avoid fragments, it is necessary to ensure that every sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

3. Subject-verb agreement errors: These errors occur when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number. For example, using a singular verb with a plural subject or vice versa. To avoid subject-verb agreement errors, it is important to ensure that the verb matches the number of the subject.

4. Misplaced modifiers: Misplaced modifiers occur when a word or phrase is placed too far away from the word it is intended to modify, resulting in confusion or ambiguity. To avoid misplaced modifiers, it is crucial to place modifiers close to the words they modify to maintain clarity and precision.

5. Lack of parallel structure: Parallel structure refers to using the same grammatical form for similar elements within a sentence or paragraph. Lack of parallel structure can make sentences sound awkward or confusing. To maintain parallel structure, it is important to ensure that similar elements are expressed in the same grammatical form.

By being aware of these common sentence construction errors and actively avoiding them, one can improve the clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of their writing.