We are concluding our discussion on phrases, clauses and sentences today. In the last two classes, we compared the three, underlining how a sentence is usually a combination of clauses and phrases. We noted that a phrase is a group of words without a subject and predicate, while a clause is marked by the presence of the two elements: subject and predicate. On the other hand, a sentence is a statement made up of one or two clauses and phrases, which then makes a complete thought. Our conclusion will focus on tendencies or errors that mar a good sentence.
In other words, since our ultimate desire is to be able to construct functional and acceptable sentences, we must know the pitfalls to avoid in doing so. We shall consider five negative factors in this regard.
Presenting subordinate clauses as sentences
Based on what we established in the last two lessons, it must be clear to you by now that it is wrong to treat phrases and subordinate clauses as sentences. The reason is that, without a main clause, neither of the two makes a complete thought. So, always be sure that the latter is present in your sentences:
If he did not come. Things would have gone wrong. Some of the people. I don’t know what to do next.
The above paragraph is stained by immature expressions. The first, ‘If he did not come’, is a subordinate clause of condition treated as a sentence. Also, ‘Some of the people’ is a phrase equally wrongly handled. Each of them needs a main clause to make it a standard sentence:
If he did not come, there would be trouble.
If he did not come, things would have gone wrong.
Some of the people are not happy.
Dangling modifiers
This is another error in sentence construction. A dangling modifier is an introductory phrase or clause that is not clearly connected to the subject or element it is meant to modify in a sentence. It dangles. As a result, the sentence becomes ambiguous or meaningless. Consider:
Having cleared the bush, the house now looks beautiful.
Who cleared the bush? Is it the house or who? Another example:
Being a one-time governor of Lagos State, the monarch is going to host Fashola on Friday.
The question provoked by ‘Being a one-time governor of Lagos’, which is a dangling modifier, is: Who is the one-time governor? Fashola or the monarch? The sentence is better as:
Because Fashola is a one-time governor of Lagos State, the monarch is going to host him on Friday.
Being a one-time governor of Lagos State, Fashola will be hosted by the monarch on Friday.
Poor punctuation
A good sentence is well punctuated. It starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamatory mark, depending on whether it is a statement, question or an exclamation. All sentences in every paragraph or passage must obey this rule. Also, you must know the difference between punctuation marks like the full stop and a semi colon; comma and the semi-colon as well as a hyphen and a dash. If you do not use them accurately, your sentences will be deficient.
Tautology and other forms of needless repetition
Tautology and other forms of needless repetition mar sentences. Your goal is to present precise, sharp sentences that are not too long or verbose. So, you must avoid tautological statements like the ones italicised in following:
I am happy and delighted.
He is very dark in complexion based on the colour on his skin.
There are new innovations to be discussed.
Unless and until he comes, I won’t leave here.
Let’s talk by 10 pm in the evening.
Bad spelling
Bad spelling constitutes another impediment to smooth and inspiring communication. Any sentence riddled with such puts off the reader and hurts the intended message. So, be a master of your words and always spell right.
Pay extra attention to words you often misspell and constantly go through lists of words that are generally misspelt. Above all, always read through your writings before submitting or publishing them one way or the other. Here are some of the words you should watch:
Truly, duly, expatiate, argument, environment, length, strength, definitely, separate, acquire, restaurant, occasion, accommodation, lieutenant, colonel, mischievous, continuous, occurred, dilemma, anathema, cigarette, February, library and liaise.
(Concluded)
