English 290 Content / Homepage
Sentences
Sentences are words strung together to create units of meaning in which each word fulfills a particular role or function. If the words are strung together randomly, the resulting sentence will not make sense.
Whether you realize it or not, you already have a basic understanding of word order. You recognize when a sentence makes sense and when it does not. To test this point, examine the sentences below. Can you re-organize the words so that each sentence makes sense?
Old lady the on sat park bench the.
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Disease Mad Cow found been has America in.
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Styles all we have learning different.
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Chances are that you had little difficulty re-organizing the sentences above. However, in your own sentences, you may create milder forms of the above muddles by reversing the order of two words so that the resulting sentence does not flow according to Standard English. This may be particularly true if English is your Second Language since each language has its own syntax (ordering of words).
For example, can you tell which words are out of order in the following sentence?
I ended up buying the dress red from the catalogue.
In the above sentence, the words dress red need to be switched to red dress. In English, the adjective (red) must occur before the noun (dress). However, if you translated this sentence into Spanish, the adjective would belong after the noun, as in the sentence above.
Once you have mastered Standard English syntax, you will need to make sure that each word you use in a sentence serves a purpose. Additional words that do not add to the meaning of your sentence can create clutter and interfere with clarity.
For example, can you remove the unnecessary words from the sentence below?
Like every time my brother or you know like my sister come into my bedroom they so hassle me by touching all my stuff and whatnot.
This section is devoted to helping you create uncluttered, clear sentences. Are you ready? Then, follow these links for an introduction to . . .
Skills for the Writing Process / 290 Content / 290 Homepage
Writing Center / Watsonville Integrated Learning Center
English Department / Cabrillo College Homepage