Understanding Sentence Fragments: Types and Corrections

1. Chapter Twenty-Three Fragments

2. Sentence Fragments • A sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject or a verb and does not express a complete thought. The most common types of fragments are: • Dependent-word • -ing and –to • Added-detail • Missing-subject

3. Dependent-Word Fragments • A clause that begins with a subordinator (ordependent word) is adependent clause. • These examples are notindependent clauses. • If a tornado sweeps across the plains. • Because snow is beautiful in the moonlight.

4. Correcting Dependent Clause Fragments • Dependent clause fragments begin with a subordinating conjunction (because, since, before). • Although air traffic controllers regulate flight patterns. • Corrected:Although air traffic controllers regulate traffic patterns, they cannot control the weather.

5. -ing and -to Fragments • -ing Fragment: • Jogging in the park on a beautiful day. • -to Fragment: • To take advantage of sunlight in photography.

6. Added-Detail Fragments Lack a subject and a verb • While we sat there waiting. • For example, how he ate his food.

7. Missing-Subject Fragments • The subject in one sentence cannot apply to the next sentence. A subject and a verb must be present in each sentence. • But then changed his mind and walked anyway. • Revised:Bob didn’t want to walk all the way to town, but then changed his mind and walked anyway.

8. Checking for Sentence Fragments • Read your paper aloud from the last sentence to the first. • Locate a subject, verb, and complete thought. • Be on the lookout for the four most common fragments: • Dependent-word • -ing and –to • Added-detail • Missing-subject

9. Checking for Sentence Fragments • Locate the subject. • Locate the verb. • Inspires many poets and song writers.(This lacks a subject.) • The pleasant weather of May.(This lacks a verb.)

10. Correcting Sentence Fragments • Combine the fragment with the sentence that precedes it or with the sentence that follows it. • Dramatic weather conditions do not always cause disasters. But at times create beautiful situations as well. • Correction:Dramatic weather conditions do not always cause disasters but at times create beautiful situations.

11. Be aware of situations that can lead to sentence fragments. • Examine a sentence that begins with a subordinating word. • Because hail fell on the peach blossoms. • Carefully select transitional words or phrases which introduce examples or a list. • For example, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

12. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. (Click to see the answer.) Fragment My Aunt Marie being a good cook.

13. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. Correct She can spend hours reading a cook book.

14. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. Although she says that she doesn’t like to read. Fragment

15. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. Special desserts such as pecan pies, chocolate cheese-cakes, and pumpkin cake roll. Fragment

16. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. Aunt Marie’s desserts are not for those who are watching their diet. Correct

17. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. Filled with cream and sugar, these delicacies contain hundreds of calories. Correct

18. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. It often seems that any food item that tastes good is fattening. Correct

19. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. For example, ice cream and chocolate cake. Fragment