Overview

When you're writing, make sure that each of your sentences expresses a complete thought and includes both a subject and a predicate. A sentence fragment is missing a subject, a predicate, or both. A run-on sentence is actually two or more complete clauses that have been strung together. You can correct run-on sentences by separating the clauses with punctuation and/or coordinating conjunctions.

The subject and verb in a sentence must agree. To check a sentence for agreement, read only the subject and the verb aloud and see if it sounds correct. Watch out for compound subjects. Those joined by and are plural, but those joined by or or nor are singular. Besides agreeing with the subject, a verb must also be in the correct form and tense. Make sure your verbs express past, present, and future tenses appropriately.

Pronouns can be troublesome for some writers. Make sure any pronoun you use has a clear antecedent.

There are many common punctuation errors. For example, the use of commas can be tricky. Remember that there are exceptions to some punctuation rules. For example, use an apostrophe to show possession—unless you are using a personal pronoun or the word it.

When you're editing and proofreading your writing, refer to your textbook. It will provide the answers to many questions you may have about spelling, grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure.