Final answer:
To link phrases and form correct sentences, you need to identify parts of speech, sort words into groups, and use proper punctuation. Additionally, you can improve sentence structure by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases. Subject complements can be identified by the preposition 'like'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When working with English grammar and composition, it is essential to understand the function of different parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. These components are the building blocks of sentences and are grouped because of their similarities in function. For instance, 'running quickly' could be described as a verb phrase that includes an adverb 'quickly' modifying the verb 'running'.
Furthermore, in the editing process, it's important to be meticulous when sorting words into these grammatical categories as many words can belong to more than one group. Ignoring this advice may lead to errors, as the functionality of a word can change depending on its context within the sentence. For example, 'fast' can be both an adjective ('He is a fast runner.') and an adverb ('He runs fast.').
Another crucial aspect of writing is the accurate use of punctuation, such as commas. Commas help clarify the meaning of sentences by indicating separation of ideas or elements within the sentence. For example, in the sentence 'I finally found my keys, and I got to work just in time.', a comma is correctly used before the conjunction 'and' to separate two independent clauses.
Lastly, identifying parts of sentences, such as the subject, linking verb, and subject complement, can be integral in understanding sentence construction. For instance, 'The taxi driver seemed like a nice man' has 'The taxi driver' as the subject, 'seemed' as the linking verb, and 'a nice man' as the subject complement introduced by 'like'.