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Sentence Structure in PSLE English: The Right Way to Frame Sentences
Sentence structure plays a vital role in PSLE English, affecting grammar, comprehension, and writing performance. Mastering sentence structure allows students to express their thoughts clearly and avoid common mistakes in exams such as Grammar Cloze, Editing, Comprehension Cloze, and Continuous Writing.
Many students lose marks due to run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and improper use of connectors. This article will guide PSLE students in constructing correct and effective sentences, providing sample PSLE-style questions and expert tips for improvement.
Understanding Basic Sentence Structure
Before diving into complex writing, it is essential to understand the three basic sentence types:
1. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has only one independent clause, meaning it contains a subject and a verb expressing a complete thought.
- Example: Tom reads books every night.
- When to use simple sentences:
- To state a fact
- To introduce an idea clearly
PSLE Sample Question – Simple Sentence Identification
Identify the simple sentence from the options below:
- Tom and Jerry play in the garden after school.
- After running for an hour, Tom felt exhausted.
- Tom enjoys swimming.
- Although it was raining, Tom went outside.
Answer: Option 3 (Tom enjoys swimming.)
2. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor).
- Example: He was hungry, so he ate a sandwich.
- When to use compound sentences:
- To add detail to writing
- To connect two related ideas
PSLE Sample Question – Compound Sentence Formation
Choose the correct compound sentence:
- The students revised for their exams, and they scored well.
- Because the students revised, they scored well.
- Although they revised, they still struggled.
- Revising for the exams, the students scored well.
Answer: Option 1 (The students revised for their exams, and they scored well.)
3. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, connected by subordinating conjunctions like because, since, although, when, while.
- Example: Although he was tired, he continued studying.
- When to use complex sentences:
- To explain cause and effect
- To show contrast or time relationships
PSLE Sample Question – Complex Sentence Completion
Complete the sentence below using an appropriate subordinate clause:
"She felt happy ________."
- so she ran around the park.
- because she won the competition.
- and she ate ice cream.
- but she was also tired.
Answer: Option 2 (because she won the competition).
Common Sentence Structure Errors in PSLE
Many students struggle with run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and incorrect use of connectors. Below are common mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Run-on Sentences
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
- Incorrect: She went to school she was late.
- Correct: She went to school, but she was late.
How to Fix Run-on Sentences
- Use a comma + conjunction (and, but, so).
- Separate ideas into two sentences.
PSLE Sample Question – Fixing a Run-on Sentence
Choose the correct revision of the run-on sentence:
"The weather was cold we forgot to bring our jackets."
- The weather was cold, so we forgot to bring our jackets.
- The weather was cold, so we forgot to bring our jackets.
- The weather was cold. We forgot to bring our jackets.
- Both 2 and 3 are correct.
Answer: Option 4 (Both 2 and 3 are correct.)
2. Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought.
- Incorrect: Because he was late.
- Correct: He was late because he missed the bus.
PSLE Sample Question – Identifying Sentence Fragments
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
- Since I was feeling tired.
- I completed my homework before dinner.
- Although I wanted to go outside.
- Because she was excited.
Answer: Option 2 (I completed my homework before dinner.)
Grammar Rules for Sentence Formation
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
- Singular subjects take singular verbs (She is happy.).
- Plural subjects take plural verbs (They are happy.).
2. Correct Verb Tenses
- Incorrect: Yesterday, he go to school.
- Correct: Yesterday, he went to school.
3. Proper Use of Prepositions
- Incorrect: She is good in maths.
- Correct: She is good at maths.
How to Improve Sentence Structure for PSLE
Use varied sentence lengths in writing
- Avoid using only short or long sentences.
Practice rewriting incorrect sentences
- Example correction exercises.
Read model essays and comprehension passages
- Learn correct sentence structures from well-written texts.
Use sentence expansion techniques
- Start with a simple sentence and add details:
- She ran. → She ran quickly. → She ran quickly to catch the bus.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify and Correct Errors
Rewrite the incorrect sentence correctly:
"She enjoy reading but she do not have time."
Correct Answer: She enjoys reading, but she does not have time.
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Sentence Structure
Which of the following is a well-structured sentence?
- Since the rain started, we went home.
- We went home since the rain started.
- We went home because the rain started.
- Since the rain started, we had to go home.
Answer: Option 4 (Since the rain started, we had to go home.)
Conclusion
Mastering sentence structure is essential for PSLE success. To improve, practise daily through reading and writing. Review past PSLE papers, focus on common mistakes, and apply the correct sentence structures in writing exercises.
