MODULE 01 · LESSON 9 OF 12
Complete sentences and how to join them
Your goal: Write complete sentences that can stand alone, and join two of them correctly.
Grammar words in this lesson
- complete sentence
- a group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone: The train was late.
- fragment
- a part of a sentence written as if it were complete, such as “Because the train was late.” on its own
- joining word
- a word that connects two ideas, such as and, but, or, so or because. Also called a conjunction.
- semicolon
- the mark ; which can join two complete sentences that belong together: The elevator was broken; we took the stairs.
A complete sentence can stand alone
This lesson covers complete sentences, fragments and how to join two sentences. A complete sentence has a subject and a verb, and it can stand alone: The train was late. An instruction is an exception: it normally has no subject, but we know the subject is you (see Module 01, lesson 8: Instructions and polite requests).
A sentence starts with a capital letter. It ends with a period (British: full stop), a question mark or an exclamation point (British: exclamation mark): The meeting starts at nine. Where does this bus go? Watch out!
Parts that cannot stand alone
A part that starts with a joining word such as because, if or when cannot stand alone in writing. On its own it is a fragment. It needs a main part: Because the workshop ended early, we caught the train. We will stay inside if it rains. When I arrived, the room was empty. In conversation, a short answer such as Because I was tired is fine.
Short exclamations
To show a strong feeling, you can use a short exclamation with no verb. Use what before a + adjective + noun, and how before an adjective alone: What a useful example! How useful! Before a plural or an uncountable noun, what has no a: What beautiful flowers! What terrible weather! These exclamations are fine in speech and in friendly writing.
Do not join two sentences with only a comma
The elevator was broken, we took the stairs is two sentences with only a comma between them. No mark at all (The elevator was broken we took the stairs) is the same mistake. There are three easy repairs:
- two sentences: The elevator was broken. We took the stairs.
- a comma and a joining word: The elevator was broken, so we took the stairs.
- a semicolon: The elevator was broken; we took the stairs.
After a semicolon, use a small letter unless the word normally needs a capital, such as I or a name: The bus was late; I walked. The joining words are taught in Module 01, lesson 10: Join ideas with and, but, or, so and because.
Common mistakes
| Not this | Say this |
|---|---|
| Because the train was late. (in writing) | We missed the start because the train was late. |
| the meeting starts at nine | The meeting starts at nine. |
| What a lovely weather! | What lovely weather! |
| The elevator was broken, we took the stairs. | The elevator was broken, so we took the stairs. |
| It was late we went home. | It was late, so we went home. |
Practice: answer first, then check
Say or write your answer before you open it. Your answers are not sent or saved. The marks you give yourself are kept in this browser only.
Choose the complete sentence: (When the rain stopped. / The rain stopped.)
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: The rain stopped.
Why: The rain stopped has a subject and a verb and can stand alone. When the rain stopped starts with when, so it needs a main part: When the rain stopped, we went out.
Did you get it?
Choose: (What / How) a helpful explanation!
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: What
Why: Before a + adjective + noun, use what. Use how before an adjective alone: How helpful!
Did you get it?
Add the capital letter and the end mark: where does this bus go
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: Where does this bus go?
Why: A sentence starts with a capital letter. This one asks for information, so it ends with a question mark, not a period.
Did you get it?
True or false: “Because the train was late.” is a complete sentence in formal writing.
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: False
Why: A part that starts with because cannot stand alone. It needs a main part, for example: We missed the start because the train was late.
Did you get it?
Join with a semicolon: The shop was closed. We went home.
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: The shop was closed; we went home.
Why: A semicolon can join two complete sentences that belong together. After it, the second part starts with a small letter: we, not We, unless the word normally needs a capital, such as I or a name.
Did you get it?
Correct the mistake: The meeting finished, we left the room.
Show the answer and the reason
Answer: The meeting finished, and we left the room.or The meeting finished and we left the room.or The meeting finished, so we left the room.or The meeting finished. We left the room.or The meeting finished; we left the room.or When the meeting finished, we left the room.
Why: Two complete sentences cannot be joined with only a comma. Add a joining word such as and or so, use a period, or use a semicolon. You can also begin with when: When the meeting finished, we left the room.
Did you get it?
Make it yours
Write a complete sentence with because. Then take two short sentences about your day and join them in two ways: with a comma and a joining word, and with a period or a semicolon.
Write in a notebook or a document, or in this online editor (opens in a new tab).
Finish this lesson
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