How to Identify Sentence Structure Errors

Many tests require students to identify sentence structure errors.

Sentence structure errors can destroy an otherwise viable written presentation. Punctuation errors, such as misplaced commas or missing periods, are a common cause of sentence structure flaws. Learning to identify and correct sentence structure errors can improve writing and communication skills dramatically, especially in professional or academic environments. Even the SAT college prep exam places significant emphasis on proper sentence structure, with 18 multiple-choice questions focusing on identifying sentence errors.

Instructions

1. Verify that all independent clauses include a subject, verb and predicate without improper punctuation between. A comma or other punctuation mark that is placed inside the clause can render it an improper sentence by separating one of the sentence components (subject, verb or predicate) from the rest of the sentence.

2. Detect fragmented sentences by ensuring that each sentence contain both a subject and verb. Fragmented sentences leave out the "who" or the "what" of the sentence.

3. Remove the extra word groups and subject modifiers between the subject and verb to check for subject-verb agreement. Singular nouns require singular verbs, while plural nouns require plural verbs.

4. Spot dangling participles by testing the phrase against the closest noun in the sentence. If the noun and participle don't make sense together, the sentence needs to be restructured.

5. Inspect long sentences for proper punctuation. Run-on sentences occur when correct punctuation is not used to separate two independent clauses or sentences. Some run-on sentences are missing a conjunction, such as "and." Some lack any punctuation at all. Others may be comma splices, which involve two separate ideas connected with a comma instead of a period.

References

• Dome SAT: 1.8 SAT Writing -- Sentence Structure Errors: Run-on and Fragment Sentences
• University of Richmond Writing Center: Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
• Story Write: Sentence Structure: Some Fatal Flaws
• Indiana University -- Purdue University Indianapolis School of Liberal Arts University Writing Center: Sentence Structure and Troubleshooting Common Errors