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CAHSEE ELA 4.2 Writing: Sentence Structure 251 Views


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Description:

CAHSEE ELA Writing: Sentence Structure Drill, Problem 2. Fix this sentence.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

Here's an unshmoopy question you'll find on the exam...

00:07

Fix this sentence: I couldn't go skateboarding. Because I broke my leg.

00:13

And here are the potential answers:

00:19

So... what is this question asking?

00:21

Well, it's really about what makes a complete sentence.

00:24

On its own, "I couldn't go skateboarding" is a full and complete sentence, albeit kind

00:28

of a boring one.

00:29

It's the "because I broke my leg" part that makes this question interesting.

00:35

That phrase is... just a phrase -- it's not a sentence.

00:39

Technically it is a DEPEDNENT clause -- it depends on an INDEPENDENT clause to make it stand alone.

00:46

So...it needs some help and has to be conjoined to the first part so it's not a grammatical wipeout.

00:53

If we go through the potential answers, A and B don't work because they're using

00:56

a semi colon and a colon as a full stop and that' doesn't work here...

01:01

...the fragment has to be joined with the subject and verb -- that is, kill the comma,

01:06

kill the period and just let the words flow.

01:09

So the answer is C.

01:10

As in, "Cuts and scrapes."

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