LPI Tip #1: Grammar

List the Grammar Structures that You Need to Know

There is good news for those who are studying LPI sentence correction section. The list of grammar structures that are tested is finite, meaning that you can make a complete list of them and master them. Each grammar structure follows a certain principle


1. Parallel Structures

This involves and/but/ or conjunctions that link two sentences (i.e. a compound sentence ) It requires parallel grammar, which just means that it should follow the same verb/gerund arrangement. Basically you just need to make sure that what is on one side of the grammar equation is the same as the other

• I like studying math but not essays                        (studying essays?)
• I like playing basketball and TV                              (playing TV?)
• I think that spending money that you don’t have and to use a credit card is dangerous         (spending and to use?
• If everyone would contribute and the government gives money, the situation will improve        (would contribute and will improve?)
• If you want to become a good teacher, you must be organized, have self-confidence and willing to listen to your students (have willing to.....)
• Dennis has 3 main ambitions in life; he wants to become a politician, a lawyer and be able to write novels
  

 
2. Faulty Pronoun Reference

Pronouns should….

1.     Clearly refer to a noun

2.     Match plural or singular

• If you live near the ocean, there are many different types of boats that you might like to own but it is a very expensive hobby (what is the ‘it’?
• People should never complain about his or her job. (people and his or her?)
• The school doesn’t have many facilities and usually it is low quality (it?)
• I have always loved business and I would like to become one (one?)
• Friendship is important to everyone, and it is during our happiest and saddest moments that we need them most (what is them?)
• Globalization is rising and we need people to understand that they must stop them (what is them?)
  

 

3. Faulty Verb/ Subject Agreement

These are a big source of errors. Watch in particular collective nouns (e.g. friendship) and sentences beginning ‘there’ or ‘it’

•         Each speaker were allowed only 5 minutes

•        All people is created equally.
•        There is a lot of people
•        Our supply of water were finished

Watch the Do/Does/Did distinction Often at the end

•        I deserve a better mark on this course than he do.

Watch plural versus singular verbs

•        Many studies shows that it is impossible.

Watch gerunds with plural nouns

•        The time indicate that we are finished
•        Watching movies are fun
•        Drinking and driving is bad
•        Showing manners and behaving well are good habits

Watch quantifiers

•        One of - singular
•        Each of – singular
•        A handful of – can be plural or singular
•        All of the – can be both singular and plural
•        A group of – plural

4. Incomplete Sentences

There are generally two kinds of incomplete sentences, those with:

1.  No subject or verb
2.  Subordinate clauses with no main clause
   

•        The next time I take my children to their skating lessons, I’m going to get involved. Perhaps even try to ski. (no subject)

•        Everyone is coming. John included (no verb)
•        His marks were much better this year than last year. Which is good. (no main clause)
•        While it is helpful. It is very expensive.  (While…has no main clause)
•        Those who agree. They are mistaken (Those…..has no main clause)
•        When it is done. Please speak to me (When….has no main clause)

5. Dangling Modifiers

Never trust an adjective clause with a present or past participle far from what it is modifying.

•        Growing up as a hockey player, the games were very competitive (The games were growing up as a hockey player"?)
•        Running across the golf course, a ball nearly hit him on the head (a ball was running?)
•        Worried about my friend’s health, a get well card was sent to the hospital (a card worrying?)
•        Eating as much as possible, the food was finished immediately (the food was eating?)

6. Redundant Subordination/Conjunction

Conjunction starts

•        Do not use these at the beginning of sentences:

–       But
–       And
–       So
–       Also, (ok for speaking)

•        Do not use these as conjunctions in the middle of sentences

–       however
–       Therefore
–       I like it, however, it is too expensive


One conjunction for two clauses


One conjunction is enough to join two clauses  – we do not usually use two.

• Although Margaret has never visited Eastern Canada, but she plans to study in Toronto nest year.
• Because this is ideal, so we may have no choice.
• While I disagree with this stand, but I do think there is some merit
  

7. Run-on sentences

Having two main clauses not linked

•        She likes to tell you in detail about the tv programs she finds interesting, they don’t seem especially interesting the way she describes them.
•        I like the smell of spring, it is so fresh.
•        He offered to help, luckily we did not accept

 

Solution

1.     Conjunction

2.     Period or semicolon

3.     Make one a subordinate clause