Adding a subject

Definition

Adding a subject refers to the process of incorporating a noun or pronoun into a sentence to clarify who or what is performing the action or being described. This technique is crucial in transforming incomplete thoughts into complete sentences, thus preventing run-on sentences and sentence fragments. By adding a subject, clarity and coherence are enhanced, allowing the reader to easily understand the intended message.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adding a subject helps to convert sentence fragments into complete sentences, ensuring that each thought is fully expressed.
2. Identifying the main idea of a sentence can often help determine what subject needs to be added for clarity.
3. A common cause of run-on sentences is the absence of clear subjects in compound structures, leading to confusion about which clause is related to which subject.
4. When adding a subject, it is essential to maintain parallel structure to ensure that all parts of the sentence align grammatically.
5. Using appropriate subjects not only improves sentence clarity but also enhances the overall flow of writing, making it easier for readers to follow.

Review Questions

• How does adding a subject impact the clarity of sentences, particularly in relation to avoiding run-on sentences?
  • Adding a subject significantly enhances sentence clarity by providing context on who or what is performing the action. In cases of run-on sentences, unclear subjects can create confusion as multiple ideas are presented without clear connections. By incorporating specific subjects, each independent clause becomes distinguishable and meaningful, allowing readers to grasp the intended message without ambiguity.
• Discuss how identifying incomplete thoughts can help in recognizing when adding a subject is necessary.
  • Recognizing incomplete thoughts is key to understanding when adding a subject is necessary. Sentence fragments often emerge when essential components like subjects are missing. By closely examining each part of a sentence and asking whether the thought can stand alone, one can pinpoint where additional subjects are needed. This practice not only aids in constructing complete sentences but also prevents the occurrence of run-on sentences by ensuring that every clause has a clear reference.
• Evaluate the relationship between adding a subject and maintaining grammatical coherence in complex sentences with multiple clauses.
  • The relationship between adding a subject and maintaining grammatical coherence in complex sentences is crucial. In sentences with multiple clauses, each clause must have its own clear subject to avoid ambiguity. When subjects are consistently added and aligned with their respective verbs, it ensures that readers can easily follow the connections between ideas. This coherence is vital in preventing misunderstandings that arise from poorly structured sentences, especially in academic writing where clarity is paramount.

Related terms

Run-on Sentences: Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

Sentence Fragments: Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack either a subject or a verb, making them unable to stand alone as complete thoughts.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that requires the subject and verb in a sentence to match in number and person.