A well-written sentence needs to be both grammatically correct and have a clear meaning.
Here are some common mistakes students make. Let's explore them to learn the correct sentence structures.
Types of sentence structure
In order to build a sentence in English that is grammatically correct and makes sense, it is important to first understand the basic principles of sentence structures. Essentially, sentence formations can be divided into four types.
The secret to good writing is variation and using a mix of these types of sentences within your paragraphs in your written work.
Common errors students make
Tips for your writing
Remember to incorporate a variety of sentence structures in your writing. Doing this will (1) add interest to your writing, (2) improve readability and (3) clarify the relationships between ideas.
Consider the following example where each sentence follows a similar structure. This uniformity leads to a lack of cohesion, making the paragraph feel disjointed and somewhat monotonous.
Example: Nursing education (Lees & Moore, 2013) states that measures should be in place to avoid infection. Also, that infection rates tend to soar when hygiene standards decrease. Appropriate steps should be taken to decrease these risks. It is suggested that medical staff are educated to understand these risks.
Here is a better version of the paragraph.
Better example: Nursing educators (Lees & Moore, 2013, Brown & Marvin, 2012) argue that strict measures should be implemented to avoid infection in medical institutions. There is also much evidence to demonstrate that infection rates rise dramatically when hygiene standards begin to fall. Therefore, it is argued that appropriate steps need to be in place to decrease, and minimise, these potential risks. Furthermore, aggressive steps should be taken to ensure that all staff maintain effective hygiene and infection control.
Adapted from: RMIT University. (2012). Learning Lab, viewed 19 September 2012.