Which convention emphasizes that a sentence should express a complete thought so the reader can understand it?

• A. Punctuation
• B. Ambiguity
• C. Correctness in Sentence Structure
• D. Stylistic Variation

Answer: (C)

Expressing a complete thought is the standard for a well-made sentence. A sentence should present a clear idea with a subject and a predicate, so the reader can understand it without extra context. This focus on forming sentences that stand on their own is what correctness in sentence structure is about. It guards against fragments (like “The team” or “Went to the store”) and run-ons, ensuring every sentence conveys a full idea in a coherent way.

Punctuation helps readability by showing where ideas end and begin, but it doesn’t by itself guarantee that a sentence expresses a complete thought. Ambiguity signals unclear meaning, which makes communication harder, not stronger. Stylistic variation deals with how something is said—the tone, rhythm, or flair—rather than whether a sentence is complete.