Sentence Structure questions on the CLT challenge students to evaluate how effectively sentences are constructed within a passage. These questions often require a keen eye for grammatical correctness, logical flow, and rhetorical style. They can feel challenging because they combine grammar knowledge with the ability to assess clarity and emphasis. We will discuss both of these aspects in this module, but the primary emphasis will be on the grammar knowledge necessary for Sentence Structure questions.
Approach Question
Should you leave the sentence below as it is or opt for one of the three alternatives listed in the answer choices?
She enjoys hiking, to swim in the river, and biking through the woods.
A. NO CHANGE
B. She enjoys to hike, to swim in the river, and to bike through the woods.
C. She enjoys hiking, swimming in the river, and biking through the woods.
D. She enjoys a hike, a swim in the river, and biking through the woods.
The issue in this sentence is one of parallelism or parallel structure. The rule is that if there is more than one subject, verb, or object in a sentence, they must be parallel (identical) in form. If an “-ing” form is appropriate for the three verbs in the above sentence, then that ending must be used with each parallel verb. If an infinitive form like “to hike” is appropriate, then that should be the consistent usage. Finally, if the verbs are put in a noun form (“a hike” instead of “hiking”), then all three should be done so if a noun form is appropriate.
With this in mind, we can begin by eliminating the two non-parallel answer choices. Choice A has two “-ing” forms, but “to swim” doesn’t match. Choice D has two noun-based forms with “a” in front of them, but “biking” doesn’t match.
That leaves two answers that are parallel in structure. As is often the case, it is not enough here to identify parallelism; we also have to determine what kind of verb form is appropriate after the word “enjoys”. If you imagine saying “I enjoy to hike,” you can better understand why this form doesn’t work after “enjoys” and an “-ing” form (technically, we’re using what’s called a gerund, or a verbal form that functions as a noun). What does she enjoy? She enjoys hiking, swimming, etc. The answer is C.
General Strategy
Understand the nature and building blocks of a sentence.
The Subject, Verb, and Object (SVO) are the building blocks of any complete sentence (also known as an independent clause), and they follow essential rules:
The parts must agree in number. Contrary to common sense, the proper combinations are singular subjects + verbs with an s, and plural subjects + verbs with no s.
The parts cannot be separated by a single punctuation mark. Double is okay.
Example: You can’t, the teacher warned, have it all.
You can have multiple subjects, verbs, or objects in a clause (S, S, S V, V, V O, O, O), but you can never put a punctuation mark between an S and V or a V and O. That’s a comma splice (see discussion of the Clause Test below).
Example: Tonya, Ryder, and Jared swam, biked, and hiked in the lake, on the trails, and in the mountains.
Verb imposters (usually gerunds ending in -ing) do not constitute a complete sentence.
Incorrect example: Being that Elizabeth comes late to every meeting.
Correct example: Being that Elizabeth comes late to every meeting, we provided her with a start time 30 minutes in advance of the actual meeting.
The parts cannot be separated by a single punctuation mark. Double is okay.
Although not all sentences have an object and some even lack a subject, you cannot have a true sentence without a verb. An owner saying to a dog, “Sit!” is constructing about the shortest possible legitimate sentence. The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept,” but even that one has both a subject and a verb!
Try this question now.
Should you leave the sentence below as it is or opt for one of the three alternatives listed in the answer choices?
The observance of Lent began in the second century A.D., the first mention of a 40-day Lent came in the Canons of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
A. NO CHANGE
B. Although the observance of Lent began in the second century A.D., the first mention of a 40-day Lent came in the Canons of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
C. The observance of Lent began in the second century A.D. the first mention of a 40-day Lent came in the Canons of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
D. While the observance of Lent began in the second century A.D., and the first mention of a 40-day Lent came in the Canons of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
(spoiler)
The “comma splice” is mentioned in this section, and that’s exactly the issue with the original option here. Both clauses in the sentences, “The observance … second century A.D.” and “the first … 325 A.D.”, are independent clauses; each one could stand on its own. We can’t connect such clauses with a comma unless we add a helping word or phrase to make one of the clauses dependent. We also can’t simply remove the punctuation as choice C does; this creates a run-on sentence.
That leaves us with choices B and D, both of which add a contrast word at the front of the sentence, successfully turning the first clause into something that cannot stand on its own. But choice D adds the word “and”, which is repetitive and unhelpful given that we already have “while”. The sentence with “Although” is best, as it fixes the grammar issue and also points to the contrast inherent in the meaning of the sentence. The answer is B.
Analyze the grammatical flow.
The heart of the compound sentence: the Clause Test.
The Clause Test is our way of equipping you to assess the punctuation between two clause (remember that a clause is a grammatical unit containing the subject-verb-object structure already discussed). Clauses can be independent, meaning that they could stand on their own as a complete sentence, or dependent, meaning they could not stand on their own as a complete sentence.
The Clause Test works like this: when asked about the punctuation between two clauses, ask yourself: are there 1) two independent clauses or 2) one independent and one dependent clause? If the former is true, your options for punctuation are a period, a semicolon, or a FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) conjunction (or, occasionally, a colon). If a dependent clause is present, you must use a comma (or possibly a colon). Here is a summary of the thought process in a table:
THE CLAUSE TEST
Two Independent Clauses
One Independent, One Dependent
Period (with new sentence starting)
Comma
Semicolon (;)
Comma + FANBOYS (for/and/nor/but/or/yet/so)
Colon (:)
Colon (:)
Look out for examples of parallelism (see Approach Question above).
Make sure there are no misplaced modifiers. A modifier is a string of words that describes a noun; to make clearer, the modifier must be placed next to the noun.
Incorrect Example: Rolling down the street and covered in cheese, I spotted a meatball.
Correct Example: I spotted a meatball rolling down the street and covered in cheese.
Try this question now.
Should you leave the sentence below as it is or opt for one of the three alternatives listed in the answer choices?
The contestants waited backstage at the singing contest. Shivering with excitement at their prospects for fame.
A. NO CHANGE
B. contest; shivering
C. contest and shivering
D. contest, shivering
(spoiler)
The Clause Test is our tool for this question. We analyze the initial sentence and ask whether it contains two parts that each could constitute its own sentence. Although the first part (“The contestants … contest”) is complete, the second part is not because its only verb, “shivering”, is an “-ing” form. This directs us toward the use of a comma (unless we change the form of the verb). Both the period (choice A) and the semicolon (choice B) can’t work. Choice C tries to fix the issue by adding “and”, but there is not other “-ing” form to connect with shivering, so we can’t add “add shivering …” at the end of the first complete clause.
This leaves us with the choice that correctly uses the comma to lead into the dependent clause (that is, the one that could not stand as its own sentence). The answer is D.
Prioritize clarity and conciseness.
Is the sentence easy to understand?
Does it convey its idea with simplicity and directness?
Try this question now.
Should you leave the sentence below as it is or opt for one of the three alternatives listed in the answer choices?
The publisher Joseph Pulitzer raised funds for the construction of the Statue of Liberty, which has stood in New York Harbor since 1886.>
A. NO CHANGE
B. The publisher Joseph Pulitzer raised funds for the construction of the Statue of Liberty a statue which has stood in New York Harbor since 1886.
C. The publisher Joseph Pulitzer raised funds for the construction of a statue which has stood in New York Harbor since 1886 that is known as the Statue of Liberty.
D. The Statue of Liberty was constructed in part due to the fundraising of publisher Joseph Pulitzer, which has stood in New York Harbor since 1886.
(spoiler)
Any clause that begins with “which” will be a dependent clause; it will not be able to stand on its own as a sentence. So the comma in the original sentence seems appropriate. Let’s check the other choices to see if any of them offer superior phrasing. Choice B can be eliminated quickly as it takes out all punctuation in the middle, creating a run-on sentence.
Choice C, meanwhile, reorders the sentence, leaving the identification of the Statue of Liberty until the end. But this is an awkward and unhelpful phrasing; better to identify the statue by name first before describing its longevity. Also, there are too many phrases connected without any punctuation. Choice D reorders things in a different way, but in doing so it creates a modifier error: it makes it sound like Joseph Pulitzer has stood in New York Harbor since 1886! (Boy, would his legs be tired!) The answer is NO CHANGE.
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