Navigating the Nuances of Sentence Construction in English

English sentence construction can be a complex affair, full of subtle rules and exceptions. One common area of confusion is the proper use of conjunctions, articles, and verb forms. Let's delve into the intricacies of these rules and explore how to construct sentences more effectively.

Using the Proper Article and Verb Form

When constructing a sentence, choosing the correct article and verb form is crucial. Consider the statement, 'One of my friends who have completed an LL.B this year is the son of Mr. X.' Here, the sentence is slightly flawed due to the mixed subject-verb agreement. To correct this, we need to adjust the verb to match the subject.

Example 1: One of my friends who has completed LL.B this year is the son of Mr. X. (Here, 'one' is the subject, and the verb should agree with 'one.'

Example 2: One of my friends who have completed their LL.B this year are the sons of Mr. X. (In this case, the plural 'friends' is the subject, and the verb should agree with it.)

Parenthetical Phrases and Comma Usage

Parenthetical phrases, which provide additional information, should be separated from the main clause with commas. This helps to maintain a clear and readable sentence structure. For example:

A friend, who completed the LL.B this year, is the son of Mr. X. (Notice the comma following 'friend' to separate the parenthetical phrase.)

A friend who completed the LL.B this year is a son of Mr. X. (This version leaves out the parenthetical phrase, making the sentence simpler and more direct.)

Hyphenation in Abbreviations

Abbreviations in English can sometimes be tricky, especially when they involve abbreviations of words ending in the same letter. The correct form often omits the period at the end of the abbreviated word. For instance:

LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) requires no period at the end of the 'B.'

It's also important to note that in British English, the trailing period is often omitted in such abbreviations. For example:

Dr, Mr, Mrs, Cpl, Mlle, ft, cwt (these are all British English abbreviations where the trailing period is not used.)

Combining Ideas in One Sentence

Combining multiple ideas in one sentence is a common practice but can sometimes lead to confusion. For instance, the sentence 'One of my friends who have completed L.L.B this year is the son of Mr. X' can be improved by separating the ideas. This can be achieved by using conjunctions, commas, or creating separate sentences:

A friend who completed the LLB this year is the son of Mr. X. (This version separates the two ideas, making the sentence clearer.)

A friend who completed the LLB this year is a son of Mr. X. (This version maintains the singular 'son' and is more straightforward.)

One of my friends completed the LLB this year. He is the son of Mr. X. (This version breaks the ideas into two sentences, which can be more effective for clarity.)

One of my friends, who completed the LLB this year, is the son of Mr. X. (This version uses a comma to separate the relative clause, making it clearer.)

Conclusion

Constructing clear and effective sentences is essential for good communication. By paying attention to the proper use of articles, verb forms, and punctuation, you can ensure that your writing is both precise and understandable. Remember to break down complex ideas into simpler, more digestible sentences. This approach not only enhances readability but also helps to convey your thoughts more effectively.

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