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Square Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Sentence without a subject and a main verb

Yet, in 1790, the nation was on the threshold of a new era of road development. Unable to finance road construction, organized by merchants and land speculators who had a personal interest in improved communications with the interior.

Source: "Transportation in the United States".
Link: http://element9527.wordpress.com/201...united-states/

In my opinion, the bold sentence is ungramatical. There are no "subject" and the main verb here.
I'd like to know you view on this.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

The main clause is missing: Unable to finance road construction, the states turned for help to private companies , organized by merchants and land speculators who had a personal interest in improved communications with the interior. Source: Jefferson's America, 1760-1815 - Norman K. Risjord - Google Books

— RandomGuy

  • The main clause is missing: Unable to finance road construction, the states turned for help to private companies , organized by merchants and land speculators who had a personal interest in improved communications with the interior.
  • Source: Jefferson's America, 1760-1815 - Norman K.
  • Risjord - Google Books
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4 Answers
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The main clause is missing:

Unable to finance road construction, the states turned for help to private companies, organized by merchants and land speculators who had a personal interest in improved communications with the interior.

Source:
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Thank you, AG.
That makes more sense now. I'd like ask another question.
Can I write "the states turned to private companies for help" instead of "the states turned for help to private companies"?
If so, which one is better?
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SquareCan I write "the states turned to private companies for help" instead of "the states turned for help to private companies"?
Yes.
SquareIf so, which one is better?
In this context the original order is preferable. The sentence reads better with the organized clause immediately following the noun it modifies.
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Thanks a lot. I see the relation between parts of a sentence and how they affect each other now.
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