Ch 2: Sentences
About This Chapter
Who's It For?
Anyone who needs help studying the construction of English sentences will benefit from the lessons in this chapter. There is no faster or easier way to learn about sentences. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who want to learn a broad topic in a short amount of time
- Students who are looking for easy ways to identify the most important information on the topic
- Students who have fallen behind in their studying of grammar and sentences
- Students who prefer multiple ways of learning grammar (visual or auditory)
- Students who have missed class time and need to catch up
- Students who have limited time to study for an upcoming exam
How It Works:
- Watch each video in the chapter to review all key topics.
- Refer to the video transcripts to reinforce your learning.
- Test your understanding of each lesson with a short quiz.
- Complete your review with the Sentences chapter exam.
Why It Works:
- Study Efficiently: The lessons in this chapter cover only information you need to know.
- Retain What You Learn: Engaging instruction makes the material easy to grasp.
- Be Ready on Test Day: Take the Sentences chapter exam to make sure you're prepared.
- Get Extra Support: Ask our subject-matter experts any English grammar question. They're here to help!
- Study With Flexibility: View lessons on any web-ready device.
Students Will Review:
This chapter summarizes the material students need to know about sentences for a standard English or grammar course. Topics covered include:
- The rules of starting sentences
- Declarative, imperative, compound and complex sentences
- The amount of sentences that make up a paragraph
- Fixing sentence fragments and fused sentences
- Identifying run-on and simple sentences
- Writing complete, complex, and compound-complex sentences
- Forming rhetorical questions and simple sentences
- Parallel sentences
1. Can You Start a Sentence with Because or However?
While uncommon, it can be acceptable to begin a sentence with 'because' or 'however' under certain circumstances. See the importance of commas and sentence structure when starting with non-subject words such as 'because' and 'however.'
2. Can You Start a Sentence with 'But' or 'And'?
You might have heard that you can't start a sentence with 'but' or 'and.' But both can be used at the beginning of a sentence, you just need to know how to do it. Read on to learn more.
3. Comparing Declarative & Imperative Sentences
Declarative sentences are those that emphasize a statement of fact, while imperative sentences provide instructions or commands. Learn how to differentiate and use these two types of sentences.
4. Compound vs. Complex Sentences in English
Compound and complex sentences are made up of at least one complete sentence and another dependent or independent clause. Learn about varying sentence structures, and understand the use of the two types of clauses in compound and complex sentences.
5. How Many Sentences Are in a Paragraph?
Paragraphs are organized by subject and do not always contain a specific limit of sentences. Discover the parts of a paragraph and explore the principles that outline how to design paragraphs, using examples.
6. How to Fix a Sentence Fragment
Sentence fragments are incomplete thoughts that cannot stand alone. Review the definition of sentence fragments, predicates, and verbs, and practice correcting different types of incomplete sentences.
7. How to Identify & Fix a Fused Sentence
A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are included in one sentence with no proper punctuation between them. Usually, a few quick additions of proper punctuation can fix them.
8. How to Identify a Compound Sentence
Compound sentences combine two complete and related thoughts. Review some basic facts about sentence composition, and learn how to identify and compose a variety of compound sentences.
9. How to Identify a Run-on Sentence
Run-on sentences occur when several connected ideas are strung together without a punctuation break or pause. Practice identifying these, and learn how to properly fix them to form compound and complex sentences by rewording and adding punctuation.
10. How to Identify a Simple Sentence
Simple sentences are those constructed of at least one subject, clause, and predicate to complete a thought. Practice identifying simple sentences by comparing examples of those that are simple to some that are not.
11. How to Start & Write a Sentence
Before you can start and write a good paper, letter, job application, or business report, you need to be able to write a correct and interesting sentence. In this lesson, you will learn the parts of a sentence and how to organize sentences effectively.
12. How to Write a Complete Sentence: Parts & Structure
Complete sentences are created through the proper use of the subject, predicate, punctuation, and capitalization rules. See how each of these concepts is structured into complete sentences, and note the common mistakes to avoid.
13. How to Write a Complex Sentence: Structure & Practice
A complex sentence is composed of an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Learn how to write a complex sentence and understand its structure through several examples.
14. How to Write a Compound-Complex Sentence
One of the marks of good quality writing is the use of a variety of sentence structures. The compound-complex sentence is a sophisticated structure you can use in your writing. In this lesson, you will learn the components of a compound-complex sentence and how to write one.
15. How to Write a Rhetorical Question
Rhetorical questions are those designed to spark further discussion, not arrive at a specific answer. Learn how to write rhetorical questions with varying levels of complexity and directness.
16. How to Write a Simple Sentence
In this lesson, you will learn how to create and recognize a simple sentence. You will also learn about dependent and independent clauses and how they relate to simple sentences in writing.
17. Parallel Sentence: Definition, Structure & Examples
A parallel sentence occurs when words are formed in the same way or have the same structure. Explore the definition, structure, and examples of parallel sentences in lists, clauses, conjunctions, and comparisons.
18. Starting & Ending Sentences with a Preposition
A preposition is a part of speech that links sentences together, often by answering a question like what, where, or how. Like a piece of a puzzle, it needs to be placed in the proper spot in order to fit. Discover the preposition, learn its uses, and explore starting and ending sentences with a preposition.
19. The Difference Between a Comma Splice & Fused Sentence
A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to separate two independent clauses while a fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation. There are a number of ways to correct these two sentence boundary errors.
20. What is a Conditional Sentence? - Definition & Examples
Conditional sentences are a grammatical mood used for sentences where a hypothetical action might occur or may have occurred in the past. This lesson will discuss the three types of conditional mood.
21. What is a Fused Sentence? - Definition & Examples
A fused sentence consists of two independent clauses joined without the use of proper punctuation or coordinating conjunction. Learn about the definition and examples of fused sentences, and understand how to correct a fused sentence.
22. What is a Palindrome? - Definition & Examples
Palindromes are a series of numbers or letters that read the same forward and backward. Use a variety of example numbers, words, and phrases to master the concept of palindromes.
23. What is the Object of a Sentence? - Definition & Examples
The object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. Learn about the definition and examples of objects in sentences, and explore the direct and indirect types of objects.
24. What is the Purpose of a Rhetorical Question?
Rhetorical questions are non-literal questions designed to emphasize an idea and encourage discussion or thought rather than arrive at a simple answer. See how these questions can draw attention, identify the negative or positive, and function as a literary device.
25. When & How to Use 'e.g.' in a Sentence
The abbreviation 'e.g.' can be used in a sentence to provide examples and clues. Learn when and how to use 'e.g.' in a sentence, keeping in mind how it interacts with punctuation, like parentheses, commas, and semicolons.
26. When & How to Use 'i.e.' in a Sentence
This lesson is about the use of 'i.e.' in writing. You will learn the meaning of this abbreviation and why it is helpful in written communication. You will also learn how to use it correctly in your own writing and understand it in the writing of other people.
27. What is a Negative Sentence? - Definition, Structure & Examples
A negative sentence is a statement of disapproval or disagreement. Understand the definition and structure of negative sentences, and explore sentences with negative contractions, negative auxiliary verbs, and negative perfect and progressive verbs.
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Other Chapters
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