Grade: Grade 7 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Writing Domains Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Sentence Structure

Identify and fix common sentence structure errors.

Learn

Common Sentence Errors

  • Run-on sentences: Two complete sentences joined without proper punctuation
  • Comma splices: Two sentences joined only by a comma
  • Fragments: Incomplete sentences missing subject or verb
  • Parallel structure: Items in a list should have the same grammatical form
  • Misplaced modifiers: Descriptive phrases placed too far from what they describe

Practice

Question 1: Identify the error: "I love pizza it is my favorite food."

Answer

Run-on sentence. Fix: "I love pizza. It is my favorite food." or "I love pizza; it is my favorite food."

Question 2: Identify the error: "Although she studied hard."

Answer

Fragment. It needs an independent clause. Fix: "Although she studied hard, she failed the test."

Question 3: Identify the error: "The dog ran fast, it caught the ball."

Answer

Comma splice. Fix: "The dog ran fast, and it caught the ball." or use a semicolon.

Question 4: Fix the parallel structure: "I like swimming, to run, and biking."

Answer

"I like swimming, running, and biking." (All gerunds)

Question 5: Fix the misplaced modifier: "Walking to school, the rain soaked my clothes."

Answer

"Walking to school, I got soaked by the rain." (I was walking, not the rain)

Question 6: Is this a fragment? "The boy who lives next door."

Answer

Yes, fragment. No main verb. Fix: "The boy who lives next door plays soccer."

Question 7: Fix: "She wanted to go however she was tired."

Answer

"She wanted to go; however, she was tired." (Semicolon before, comma after "however")

Question 8: Fix the parallel structure: "The coach told us to practice hard, stay focused, and that we should eat well."

Answer

"The coach told us to practice hard, stay focused, and eat well."

Question 9: Identify the error: "Running quickly down the street."

Answer

Fragment. No subject. Fix: "He was running quickly down the street."

Question 10: Which is correct? A) "I went to the store, and I bought milk." B) "I went to the store and bought milk."

Answer

Both are correct, but B is more concise. The SAT/ACT often prefers concise options.