Exercise 4-6: Sentence Structure

Exercise 4 Coordination and subordination

Comment on the following sentences:

1. I am a busy person and has no time for relaxation.

2. He picked up his umbrella and walk out of the house.

3. Mary can knit and sews very skilfully.

4. Did you make it yourself or bought it in town?

5. He couldn’t afford a birthday present for her or even to buy her a card.

6. What’s the point of having a car and not able to use it?

7. Although I don’t like bananas, but I can eat them anyway.

8. Do you know where does he live?



Exercise 5

Read the following sentences. Identify the errors made, state the rule(s) involved and re-write the sentence in the correct form.

1While Tim and I were pitching the tent. Tom went to gathered things and small branches to make a fire that night.

2 He knew that if he fought with the robber, he would lost due to that the robber had a knife.

3 At first, Tan was suspicious of the man. But he did not want to miss the chance to earn some money.

4 So he drove towards him when the man opened the door he rushed into the taxi.

5 Although it was very dark but I could see the man’s face.

6 I rejected his offer and decided to close the door but no matter how hard I tried, it was to no avail as he was extremely strong.

7 Before he could finish the sentence, I quickly ran towards my home however he followed me to my doorstep.

8 Both of my friends Tim and Tom were late.

9 We decided to spend the day there and we spotted an open space in the jungle.

10 Blood oozed out from his neck. At that time, Mr Tan was consumed with fear.



Exercise 6

With a partner, give examples of the following. Provide the rule and the correct sentence structure in each case:

1 Jumbled- up/illogical sentence

2 Fragmented sentence

3 Incomplete sentence

4 Inappropriate subordinating conjunction

5 Inappropriate co-ordinating conjunction

6 Run on sentence

7 Wrong combination of conjunctions

8 Inappropriate marker of time