Sentence variety and grammar essentials
Varied sentences keep writing lively, and a handful of grammar rules prevent the most common errors.
Sentence types
A simple sentence has one independent clause ('The bus was late.'). A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon ('The bus was late, so I walked.'). A complex sentence adds a dependent clause ('Because the bus was late, I walked.'). Compound-complex sentences combine both.
Varying sentences
Mixing sentence lengths and structures creates rhythm and emphasis. A short sentence after several long ones can land with force. Varying openings, beginning some sentences with a phrase or clause instead of the subject, avoids monotony. Read your writing aloud to hear the rhythm.
Fragments
A fragment is an incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought: 'Because the library was closed.' Fix it by attaching it to a nearby sentence ('Because the library was closed, we studied at home.') or completing it. Writers sometimes use fragments deliberately for effect, but sparingly.
Run-ons and comma splices
A run-on joins independent clauses without proper punctuation. A comma splice joins them with only a comma: 'The test was hard, everyone passed.' Fix with a period, a semicolon, a comma plus coordinating conjunction ('but'), or by making one clause dependent ('Although the test was hard, everyone passed.').
Subject-verb agreement
Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. Watch for words between subject and verb: 'The box of chocolates is on the table' (box is the subject). Compound subjects joined by 'and' are plural; with 'or', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Pronoun reference
Pronouns should clearly refer to a specific noun. 'When Maria met Ana, she was nervous' is ambiguous: who was nervous? Rephrase: 'Maria was nervous when she met Ana.' Avoid vague 'this' or 'it' referring to a whole idea; add a noun: 'This decision...'.
Parallelism
Items in a list or comparison should share the same grammatical form: 'She likes hiking, swimming, and biking' not 'hiking, swimming, and to bike'. Parallel structure makes writing balanced and memorable, as in 'government of the people, by the people, for the people'.
Modifiers
A dangling modifier has nothing in the sentence to modify: 'Walking to class, the rain started' implies the rain was walking. Fix: 'Walking to class, I got caught in the rain.' A misplaced modifier is in the wrong position: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day' should be 'She drove her kids to school almost every day.'
Key takeaways
Use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences for variety and emphasis. Fix fragments by completing or attaching them. Fix comma splices with a period, semicolon, conjunction, or subordination. Make verbs agree with their true subjects. Keep pronoun references clear. Use parallel structure in lists. Place modifiers next to what they modify.
Flashcard
One independent clause
Check your understanding
Which sentence contains a comma splice?