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Chapter 17: Sentence Fragments. A sentence fragment is a group of words that might look like a sentence and be punctuated like a sentence, but is NOT a sentence. A sentence fragment is considered a major error in grammar, so make sure you know how to identify and correct a fragment.
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Chapter 17: Sentence Fragments • A sentence fragment is a group of words that might look like a sentence and be punctuated like a sentence, but is NOT a sentence. • A sentence fragment is considered a major error in grammar, so make sure you know how to identify and correct a fragment. • Example fragment: After we went to the store. • Example corrected: We went to the store. • Example corrected: After we went to the store, we had no money. • Note: Dependent clauses begin with subordinate conjunctions and are fragments. A dependent clause must be followed by an independent clause to create a sentence. A subordinate conjunction (after, although, during, while, etc.) creates a dependent (or subordinate) clause.
Chapter 16: Sentence Fragments 1. In a fragment, the verb could be missing: • Example fragment: The puppy behind the store window. • Subject check: puppy • Verb check: no verb • Does this make a complete statement: no • Example corrected: The puppy is behind the store window. OR The puppy behind the store window is cute. 2. In a fragment, the subject could be missing: • Example fragment: Fought long and hard. • Subject check: no subject • Verb check: fought • Does this make a complete statement: no • Example corrected: He fought long and hard.
Chapter 16: Sentence Fragments 3. In a fragment, the subject and the verb could be missing: • Example fragment: On a misty night. • Subject check: no subject • Verb check: no verb • Does this make a complete statement: No, it is a prepositional phrase. • Example corrected: I wandered on a misty night. Or On a misty night I wandered. 4. In a fragment, the clause could begin with a subordinating conjunction that is not followed by an independent clause: • Example fragment: Because he ate the entire platter of cheese. • Subject check: he • Verb check: ate • Does this make a complete statement: No, it begins with subordinating conjunction because. This is a dependent clause. • Example corrected: He ate the entire platter of cheese. Or Because he ate the entire platter of cheese, he didn’t ask for supper.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments. Q. Over the hill and through the woods. A. I went over the hill and through the woods. Q. Slowly walking through the computer store. A. He was slowly walking through the computer store. Q. On the warm summer day when we saw the white doves. A. On the warm summer day, we saw the white doves.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments in two ways: 1. Add an independent clause. 2. Remove the subordinate conjunction. Q. When my dog was a little puppy. A. When my dog was a little puppy, he weighed only 2 pounds. A. My dog was a little puppy. Q. Although Halloween is a lot of fun. A. Although Halloween is a lot of fun, I typically gain a stomachache from all of the candy. A. Halloween is a lot of fun.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments in two ways: 1. Add an independent clause. 2. Remove the subordinate conjunction. Q. After the party in Manhattan was over. A. After the party in Manhattan was over, we took the ferry to Staten Island. A. The party in Manhattan was over. Q. While I attended college last semester. A. While I attended college last semester, I discovered a love for sushi. A. I attended college last semester.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments in two ways: 1. Add an independent clause. 2. Remove the subordinate conjunction. Q. Even though I majored in history. A. Even though I majored in history, I found that I enjoy math more. A. I majored in history. Q. Before my children will go to sleep at night. A. Before my children will go to sleep at night, I have to read them two bedtime stories. A. My children will go to sleep at night.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments in two ways: 1. Add an independent clause. 2. Remove the subordinate conjunction. Q. Although I only spent one hour at the mall. A. Although I only spent one hour at the mall, my cat unraveled an entire roll of toilet paper. A. I only spent one hour at the mall. Q. After Sue and Janet help students understand the class schedule. A. After Sue and Janet help students understand the class schedule, the students are excited to begin the semester. A. Sue and Janet help students understand the class schedule.
Chapter 16: Sentence FragmentsExercises • Correct the sentence fragments: Q. By the lake on the other side of town. A. I went golfing by the lake on the other side of town. Q. Singing in the shower when the doorbell rang. A. Mr. Zippy was singing in the shower when the doorbell rang. Q. Tired and hungry after the hike. A. Sammy was tired and hungry after the hike. A. Tired and hungry after the hike, Sammy stopped by a diner.
