
Sentences can be short and concise, or longer and more complex. However, it is important to vary the length of your sentences so that your writing doesn't sound too abrupt (with the overuse of short sentences), or too densely packed with ideas (with the overuse of long sentences).
One of the most common problems in writing is students writing sentence fragments rather than complete sentences.
What is a sentence?
A complete sentence (which is also called an independent clause) must always contain a subject and a verb.
Example 1: The bushfires devastated many of the areas in the Adelaide Hills.
This first sentence contains a subject (The bushfires) and a verb (devastated) and then more information in given about what the bushfires devastated.
You may sometimes see sentences without a subject but these are usually instructions.
Example 2: Use the exit stairs in case of fire.
The subject (you or anybody reading this notice) is inferred from the situation but the verb is still there.
What is a sentence fragment?
A sentence fragment (which may also be a dependent clause) is an incomplete sentence because it is missing either the subject or the verb or both.
Example 1: Because of the northerly winds
Example 2: Because of the northerly winds, years of drought and tinder-box bushland, along with an ill-prepared and under-equipped country fire service.
The sentence fragment can be made into a complete sentence:
Because of the northerly winds, the fire spread quickly through the bushland.
The fire spread quickly through the bushland because of the northerly winds, years of drought and tinder-box bushland, along with an ill-prepared and under-equipped country fire service.
Examples of independent clauses
- Many of our laws originated from customary law.
- The authority of customary law should be limited.
- The customary system of law varies in different areas.
Examples of dependent clauses/phrases
- In resolving disputes and meting out justice.
- Outside of the major cities.
- Particularly in areas of criminal justice.
By adding an independent clause to each of the dependent clauses above, we can complete each sentence.
- Village councils play the main role in resolving disputes and meting out justice.
- Outside of the major cities, village councils play the main role in resolving disputes and meting out justice.
- The customary system of law varies in different countries particularly in areas of criminal justice.
Joining two complete (independent) sentences
If you want to make a longer sentences from two complete sentences, you will need to use a linking word or phrase.
Examples:
- The bushfires devastated many of the areas in the Adelaide Hills. Many people lost their homes.
- The bushfires devastated many of the areas in the Adelaide Hills and many people lost their homes.
- The national government has little control over what happens in rural areas in north-west Pakistan. The people rely on their village councils to enforce the law.
- The national government has little control over what happens in rural areas in north-west Pakistan so the people rely on their village councils to enforce the law.