SENTENCE
By Sheku Kamara

SENTENCE
It is important for you to have what may be described as sentence sense. This entails knowing when a group of words is enough to make complete sentence. It also entails seeing when a group of words has gone beyond what is called "complete sense". Read below:
Exercise 4
1.He walked away
2.Having eaten the last biscuit
3.Please sit down
4.My brother, the famous player
5.Go away
6.An old man sitting in the sun
7.papers lying on the floor
8.Since the weather was good
9.After Kadie had gone to school
10. Help me
11. I know him
12.Because all of them tried to deceive me
13.Who came here last week with his brother
14.If Sorie tells me everything he knows about this problem
15.You can't run from me, I will see you
16.The only driver I know who respected himself so much
17.The building tall and yellow which is near the Bank of Sierra Leone
18.Two people came in the others went out
19.I met him he told me to wait.
20.He gave me one then I asked for another

Some of the expressions above are complete; some are not. Some have gone beyond the limit of completeness and should actually be divided into two separate sentences.
Sheku Kamara 1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku Kamara 1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
If an expression meets the minimum requirement for completeness, it is said to be "independent". So an independent clause is an expression within a sentence, which makes complete sense. It can even stand on its own as a sentence.
I gave him the box, and he gave me the book.
This sentence has two independent clauses.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
This clause does not make complete thought, even though it has a finite verb. A subordinate clause cannot stand as a sentence. Numbers 8, 9, 12,13 and 14 in exercise 4 above are subordinate clauses. The sentences below have one subordinate clause and one independent clause:
Since I left, no-one has done the work.
Before I arrived, he had already left.
I entered the hall because Lilian allowed me.
The sentence below has one independent clause and one phrase:
I enter the hall because of Lilian.

SIMPLE SENTENCE
A simple sentence has one independent clause only. This clause may have a compound subject or compound verb.
Mabinty gave me the books.
Mabinty and Marie gave me the books.
Mabinty gave me the books and invited me.
Mabinty and Marie gave me the books and invited me.

COMPOUND SENTENCE
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for).
Mabinty gave me the book, and she invited me
He called the names, and I wrote them down.
John was hardworking,but his brother was lazy
I think the radio is inside, or Joe has stolen it.
Note that the best way to express a compound sentence is to put a comma between the first independent clause and the conjunction joining the two independent clauses. The following are not compound sentences and need no commas:
He sold his car and all his houses.
You can either take this book or the one on the table.
He informed me and two other boys.
Three boys and six girls were selected.

COMPLEX SENTENCE
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
When his mother returned, he was very glad.
I will protect my family if there is danger.
Although some people did not suspect, Sam was sleeping throughout the lesson.
Adjectival clauses and adverbial clauses are
subordinate clauses.
In addition to these three types of clauses, another type may combine both compound and complex features to form what may be describes as COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence. Example:
I called him, but he didn't hear because he was busy.
As soon as he came, we all went out to meet him, for we were so anxious to hear the news.
We were all pleased with our results, and we ran home to tell our parents so that we can all share the joy together.
Students who are still trying to build correct simple sentences should not try to build compound-complex sentences. They may not be able to address the grammar and punctuation requirements going with this type of sentence.
Sheku Kamara 1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku Kamara 1 Goderich Street Freetown Tel: 220175 Sheku
RUN-ON SENTENCES
As mentioned earlier, an expression can go beyond what is called complete sentence.
He came yesterday I told him to wait he didn't listen.
This sentence has stopped twice, but the writer isn't aware. Can you tell where?
I didn't meet him however I decided to wait.
This sentence has stopped after "him".
Numbers 15,18, 19,and 20 in exercise 4 have sentences, which should have stopped somewhere, but the writer is not aware of it.
Possible causes
1.The first problem occurs when a student, honestly, does not know what an independent clause is. As a result he writes two or three of them in a single sentence without any proper punctuation.
I know myself better nobody should tell me how I feel about this matter.

2.Very short independent clauses can deceive a student into making run-on sentence.
This book is mine that one is yours.
Mine is old yours is new.
What is this I don't like it.

3. Transition words (e.g. however, then, for example, therefore) can also trick us into making this error.
I was ill however I managed to go outside.
I gave them ten thousand leones then they asked for more.
They stole all my money therefore I left.
Note these four sentences:
My brother, however, didn't come.
My brother didn't come. However, I was able to solve the problem.
My brother didn't come; however, I was able to solve the problem.
My brother ran away, leaving me to fight the problem alone.

4.Sometimes in an effort to avoid run-on sentences we put a comma where we think a sentence has a major break. This doesn't solve the problem. A comma should not be allowed to separate two independent clauses.
The punctuations in the sentences below are wrong. A full stop is needed instead.
I was ill, however I managed to go outside.
I know myself better, nobody should tell me how I feel about this matter.
This book is mine, that one is yours.
Mine is old, yours is new.
They stole all my money, therefore I left.

5.Note that a full stop is required when both sides in an expression are independent clauses. If one part is subordinate, a comma is needed instead.
I left the building immediately, when I realized that it was about to fall.
The town is completely empty, according to someone who returned from the area.

Fixing the Problem
Putting a full stop between the two independent sides of the sentence can best solve problems with run-on sentences.
However, we can also use:
a. Semi-colon
b. A comma and a conjunction
Example:
I told him to come. He didn't listen.
I told him to come; he didn't listen.
I told him to come, but he didn't listen.
Identify faulty sentences in this passage Two months ago I visited my uncle who stays at Kissy. Although he was not expecting me. He welcomed me very warmly. His kind wife embraced me she guided me into their house. Their son was ill however he raised his hands and greeted me. I stayed for two days they treated me nicely.