

Definitions and A new sentence begins with a capital

letter.
Examples of o He obtained his degree.

Basic Sentence Elements

 A sentence ends with punctuation (a
period, a question mark, or an
Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = exclamation point).
verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular font = o He obtained his degree.
prepositional phrase
 A sentence contains a subject that is only
given once.
Independent clause: An independent clause o Smith he obtained his degree.
can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a
subject and a verb and is a complete idea.  A sentence contains a verb or a verb
phrase.
o I like spaghetti. o He obtained his degree.
o He reads many books.
 A sentence follows Subject + Verb +
Dependent clause: A dependent clause is not a Object word order.
complete sentence. It must be attached to an o He (subject) obtained (verb) his
independent clause to become complete. This is degree (object).
also known as a subordinate clause.
 A sentence must have a complete idea
o Although I like spaghetti,… that stands alone. This is also called an
o Because he reads many books,… independent clause.
o He obtained his degree.
Subject: A person, animal, place, thing, or
concept that does an action. Determine the Simple Sentences
subject in a sentence by asking the question A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb,
“Who or what?” and it may also have an object and modifiers.
However, it contains only one independent
o I like spaghetti. clause.
o He reads many books. Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline =
verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular
Verb: Expresses what the person, animal, place, font =prepositional phrase
thing, or concept does. Determine the verb in a
sentence by asking the question “What was the Here are a few examples:
action or what happened?”
 She wrote.
o I like spaghetti.  She completed her literature review.
o  He organized his sources by theme.
He reads many books.
 They studied APA rules for many hours.
o The movie is good. (The be verb is also
sometimes referred to as a copula or a
linking verb. It links the subject, in this Compound Sentences
case "the movie," to the complement or A compound sentence contains at least
the predicate of the sentence, in this case, two independent clauses. These two
"good.") independent clauses can be combined with
a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with
a semicolon.
Object: A person, animal, place, thing, or
concept that receives the action. Determine the Key: independent clause = yellow,
object in a sentence by asking the question “The bold; comma or semicolon = pink, regular font;
subject did what?” or “To whom?/For whom?” coordinating conjunction = green, underlined

o I like spaghetti. Here are a few examples:

o He reads many books.
 She completed her literature
review, and she created her reference
Prepositional Phrase: A phrase that begins with
list.
a preposition (i.e., in, at for, behind, until, after,  He organized his sources by
of, during) and modifies a word in the sentence. A
theme; then, he updated his
prepositional phrase answers one of many
reference list.
questions. Here are a few examples: “Where?  They studied APA rules for many
When? In what way?”
hours, but they realized there was still
much to learn.
o I like spaghetti for dinner.
o He reads many books in the library. Using some compound sentences in writing
allows for more sentence variety.
English Sentence Structure
The following statements are true about Complex Sentences
sentences in English: A complex sentence contains at least
one independent clause and at least one
dependent clause. Dependent clauses can refer
to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time Run-On Sentences
(since, while), or the causal elements (because, A run-on sentence occurs when two or
if) of the independent clause. more independent clauses (also known as
complete sentences) are connected improperly.
If a sentence begins with a dependent clause,
note the comma after this clause. If, on the other Example: I love to write papers I would write one
hand, the sentence begins with an independent every day if I had the time.
clause, there is not a comma separating the two
There are two complete sentences in the above
clauses.
example:
Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma
Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
= pink, regular font; dependent clause = blue,
italics
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had
Here are a few examples: the time.

 Although she completed her literature

review, she still needed to work on her
methods section.
o Note the comma in this sentence One common type of run-on sentence is a comma
because it begins with a dependent splice. A comma splice occurs when
clause. two independent clauses are joined with just a
comma.
 Because he organized his sources by Example of a comma splice: Participants could
theme, it was easier for his readers to leave the study at any time, they needed to
follow. indicate their preference.
o Note the comma in this sentence
because it begins with a dependent Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study
clause. at any time.

 They studied APA rules for many Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their
hours as they were so interesting. preference.
o Note that there is no comma in this
sentence because it begins with an
independent clause. Some comma splices occur when a writer
attempts to use a transitional expression in the
 Using some complex sentences in writing middle of a sentence.
allows for more sentence variety. Example of a comma splice: The results of the
study were inconclusive, therefore more research
Compound-Complex Sentences needs to be done on the topic.
Sentence types can also be combined. A
compound-complex sentence contains at least Sentence 1: The results of the study were
two independent clauses and at least one inconclusive
dependent clause.
Transitional expression (conjunctive
Key: independent clause = yellow, adverb): therefore
bold; comma or semicolon = pink, regular font;
coordinating conjunction = green, underlined; Sentence 2: More research needs to be done on
dependent clause = blue, italics the topic

 She completed her literature To fix this type of comma splice, use a semicolon
review, but she still needs to work on before the transitional expression and add a
her methods section even though she comma after it. See more examples of this on
finished her methods course last the semicolon page.
semester. Revision: The results of the study were
 Although he organized his sources by inconclusive; therefore, more research needs to
theme, he decided to arrange them be done on the topic.
chronologically, and he carefully
followed the MEAL plan for
organization.
 They studied APA rules for many You can correct a run-on sentence by connecting
hours, and they decided that writing or separating its parts correctly. There are
in APA made sense because it was several easy ways to connect independent
clear, concise, and objective. clauses.
Correcting Run-On Sentences
 Using some complex-compound sentences A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its
in writing allows for more sentence parts correctly. There are several ways to connect
variety. independent clauses.
 Pay close attention to comma usage in
complex-compound sentences so that the
1. Use a period. The easiest way to fix a
reader is easily able to follow the intended
run-on is to split the sentence into smaller
meaning.
sentences using a period. This revision
 works especially well with longer Here is an example of a fragment with a missing
sentences. Check, however, to make sure predicate, or action:
that this solution does not result in short,
choppy sentences. Example of a fragment: The doctors, who were
using peer-reviewed research articles that
contributed to the body of knowledge in their
Revision example: I love to write
fields, which was obstetrics.
papers. I would write one every day if I
had the time. Notice here that although the sentence is quite
long, it still contains no action (What are the
2. Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon doctors doing?). Once identified, the sentence
between independent clauses creates a can be corrected easily.
grammatically correct sentence. Using a
Revision: The doctors, who were using peer-
semicolon is a stylistic choice that
reviewed research articles that contributed to the
establishes a close relationship between
body of knowledge in their field, improved their
the two sentences.
knowledge of obstetrics
Revision example: I love to write
papers; I would write one every day if I
had the time. Parallel Construction
3. Use a comma and a coordinating Basics
conjunction. A comma, paired with a Parallel ideas must be presented in parallel
coordinating conjunction (e.g., "and," grammatical form, which means that each part of
"but," or "or"), corrects a run-on sentence. a sentence uses the same grammatical structure.
This method emphasizes the relationship Examples of Parallel Construction
between the two clauses.
"Between" and "And"
Revision example: I love to write Incorrect: We debated the difference
papers, and I would write one every between the weather in Minnesota in the
day if I had the time. winter and how hot it is in the summer.

4. Use a subordinating conjunction. Turn Correct: We debated the difference

one of the independent clauses into between the weather in Minnesota in the
a dependent clause. A subordinating winter and the weather in Minnesota in the
conjunction (e.g., "because," "unless," and summer.
"although") connects two clauses to create
a complex sentence. This option works to
"Both" and "And"
cement the relationship between the two
Incorrect: The films were enjoyable both to
parts of the sentence and may improve
watch and for discussing.
the flow of the clauses.
Correct: The films were enjoyable both to
Example: Because I love to write watch and to discuss.
papers, I would write one every day if
I had the time.
"Neither" and "Nor"; "Either" and "Or"
Incorrect: Neither the responses to the
However you decide to revise for run-on questionnaire nor what we asked on the
sentences, remember that maintaining sentence survey were answered.
variety helps to keep the writing clear and
interesting for your readers. Correct: Neither the responses to the
Sentence Fragments questionnaire nor the responses to the
A sentence fragment is a string of words that survey were answered.
does not form a complete sentence; there is a
necessary component of a complete "Not Only" and "But Also"
sentence missing. This missing component may Incorrect: It was surprising not only that the
be a subject (usually a noun) or a predicate (verb house sold, but also it sold well over the
or verb phrase) and/or when the sentence does asking price.
not express a complete idea.
Correct: It was surprising not only that the
Here is an example of a fragment with a missing house sold but also that it sold well over the
subject. asking price.
Example of a fragment: Shows no Parallel Construction in a List
improvement in any of the vital signs. Sentences with lists require particular attention to
parallel construction.
The sentence above is a fragment since there is Example 1:
no subject (Who shows no improvement?). Incorrect: This paper will address No Child Left
Fragments can be corrected by identifying the Behind, how to teach effectively, and
missing element and including it. instructing with multimedia aids.
Revision: The patient shows no improvement Correct: This paper will address No Child Left
in any of the vital signs. Behind benchmarks, effective
teaching strategies, and multimedia
instructional aids. Nonrestricti who, which whose
Now, the list has parallel elements ve (with whom
(benchmarks, strategies, and aids are all plural commas)
nouns).

Example 2: * In APA 7, per Section 4.19, use

Incorrect: The students were unprepared, poorly
behaved, and disrupted the class. "who" or "whom" instead of "that" when referring

Correct: The students were underprepared, to a human.

poorly behaved, and disruptive.
Now, the list has parallel elements ** Although both "which" and "that are
("underprepared," "behaved," and "disruptive"
are all adjectives). grammatically correct in restrictive clauses, APA

prefers "that" for restrictive clauses. See APA 7,

Relative Clauses and Sections 4.19-4.21 for more information on this

topic.
Relative Pronouns
 Take this quiz on Grammar Diagnostic
Quiz to test your understanding of relative
pronouns.
Relative Clause
 Use relative clauses to create
more sentence variety.
This is a clause that generally modifies a noun or

a noun phrase and is often introduced by a

Restrictive Clauses
relative pronoun (which, that, who, whom,

whose). A relative clause connects ideas by

Restrictive Clause
using pronouns that relate to something
A restrictive clause restricts or defines the
previously mentioned and allows the writer to
meaning of a noun or noun phrase and provides
combine two independent clauses into one
necessary information about the noun in the
sentence. A relative clause is also known as an
sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the
adjective clause. There are two types of relative
sentence by commas. Restrictive clauses are
clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
more common in writing than nonrestrictive
Here are a few examples: clauses. A restrictive clause is also sometimes

o The book that she read was important referred to as an essential clause or phrase.
for her literature review. (restrictive)
o The participants who were Here are a few examples:
interviewed volunteered to be part of the
study. (restrictive) o The student who sits in the back of the
o Walden University, which is entirely room asks a lot of questions.
online, has main administrative offices in o The results that I obtained may invoke
Baltimore and Minneapolis. positive social change.
(nonrestrictive) o The journalist whose story I read
yesterday has won prizes for her work.

When the relative pronoun functions as the object

Relative Pronouns
of the sentence, it can (and usually is) omitted
Referri Referring Possess
ng to a to ive from the relative clause.
human somethin Here are a few examples:
g other
than a
o The results that I obtained may invoke
human
positive social change.
o The article that I requested did not
arrive on time.
Restrictive who, which, whose o The participants who I interviewed met
whom, that** me at the local library.
that*

Nonrestrictive Clauses
Nonrestrictive Clause In academic writing, relative clauses are often

A nonrestrictive clause adds additional reduced for a more concise style. This also

information to a sentence. It is usually a proper creates more sentence variety. When reducing a

noun or a common noun that refers to a unique relative clause, it is necessary to delete the

person, thing, or event. It uses commas to show relative pronoun and either delete or change the

that the information is additional. The commas verb. Here are some examples:

almost act like parentheses within the sentence.  Gun control is a controversial issue that
is about personal rights. ("be" +
If the information between the commas is
prepositional phrase)
omitted, readers will still understand the overall  The steps that were followed were
explained in the Methods section.
meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive clause (passive)
 Other researchers who are exploring the
is also known as a nonessential clause or phrase. same topic have discovered similar
Here are a few examples: solutions. (progressive verb tense)
 Participants who were available to meet
in my office completed their interview
o I want to thank my father, Mark there. ("be" + "-able" adjective)
Smith, for all of his love and support.  Some of the subjects lived in urban
o With the nonrestrictive clause areas that had with high crime rates.
omitted: I want to thank my father ("have" as a main verb is replaced by
for all of his love and support. "with")
o The hypothesis, which I tested  In this paper, I reviewed many research
throughout the research, was rejected. articles that addressed addressing the
o With the nonrestrictive clause topic of gun control. (linking verbs or
omitted: The hypothesis was verbs describing facts can be changed to
rejected. "–ing" clauses)
o I have found the article, which I have  The changes that are to be
been looking for. implemented with the new curriculum
o With the nonrestrictive clause revisions are outlined in the handout. ("to"
omitted: I have found the article. clauses)
Although "that" is sometimes used in restrictive

clauses, it is not allowed in nonrestrictive clauses.

o CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a

population of about 400,000, is the
largest city in Minnesota.
o INCORRECT: Minneapolis, that has a
population of about 400,000, is the
largest city in Minnesota.

o CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I

bought less than a year ago.
o INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, that I
bought less than a year ago.

A relative pronoun cannot be deleted in a

nonrestrictive clause.

o CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a

population of about 400,000, is the
largest city in Minnesota.
o INCORRECT: Minneapolis, has a
population of about 400,000, is the
largest city in Minnesota.

o CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I

bought less than a year ago.
o INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, I
bought less than a year ago.

Reduced Relative Clauses