SentenceFragments

Agenda

• Definition• Identifying Fragments• Case 1:Missing Verb• Case 2:Missing subject• Case 3:Phrase or dependent clause• Revising Clauses

Definition

Subject + Verb = Sentence

We have decoded the signals.

subject verb object (optional)

sentence

Definition

Fragments are incomplete sentences!

• They do not express a complete thought.• They lack either a subject, verb or a main

clause. • They frequently are dependent clauses.

Identifying Fragments

Does the sentence have a verb?

Does the sentence have a subject?

Does the sentence have a dependent clause?

Does the sentence have an independent clause?

yes

yes

yes

no

no

no

no

yes

Missing Verb

Missing parts of the verb:1. an -ing ending without a helping verb

Harry studying digital design.Harry is studying digital design.

2. an infinitive (to run, to go, to do, etc.)Jim to program a computerJim is learning to program a computer

verb

The verb in one sentence is never part of the next sentence!Tim has many varied interests. Such as psychology, philosophy, and politics.Tim has many varied interests, such as psychology, philosophy, and politics.

Example:No verb or incomplete verb

1.The developers thinking about starting their own business. The developers are thinking about starting their own business.

2.Thinking the test had not run. Lauren ran it for a second time. Thinking the test had not run, Lauren ran it for a second time.

3. Ever since code freeze, change requests begun to come in. Ever since code freeze, change requests have begun to come in.

verb

Missing Subject

A complete sentence must have a subject.

The program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time.

Froze after startup and then crashed the operating system.

1. Connect the fragment to preceding sentenceThe program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time, froze after startup and then crashed the operating system.

2. Put a subject into the fragment The program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time. It froze after startup and then crashed the operating system.

subject

subject?

Example: No Subject

1. Surfs at that beach because of the large waves.My friend surfs at that beach because of the large waves.

2. She was very persistent. And called me about 18 times.She was very persistent. And she called me about 18 times.

subject

Dependent and Independent Clauses• Independent Clauses are sentences in

themselves.

• Dependent Clauses are imcomplete sentences. They usually start with a transition word.

Independent Clause

I can solve this problem.

Dependent Clause

She asked me to help because I can solve this problem.

Dependent clause

You may have a fragment if the sentence:

contains ONLY a dependent clauseSince we had started the testing series.

begins with a subordinator (when, until, after, before, however, while, because, since, though, although, if, so that, so, and where).

I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn’t working out too well.

begins with a relative pronoun (that, who, whose, whom, which, and when).

Sam is our new manager. Whom Kelly had known since the third grade.

Dependent clause

Revising Clauses

Two basic strategies:1. Combine the fragment with a related independent clause.We agree with your goals. Although we do not agree with your methods.Although we do not agree with your methods, we agree with your goals.

2. Rewrite the fragment so that it contains an independent clause.We agree with your goals. We do not, however, agree with your methods.

Exercise:

Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting the fragments. The team started the season with skill and style. Determined to prove to all the noisy critics. That the new school could make the playoffs. Even in the big, tougher league. But in the past few weeks, something going wrong. The trainer is worried. Because the players gaining so much weight on their tours. Eating all those steaks and drinking too much beer. Whatever they crave. Like snacks, ice cream, or junk food. Losing their self-discipline. The coach getting pretty angry, too. Especially after that great pep talk of his that should have inspired the team. He really disgusted during the last game When they were so sluggish. Which was hard to believe. That they could have fallen so far so fast.

Answer to exercise

The team started the season with skill and style, determined to prove to all the noisy critics that the new school could make the playoffs even in the big, tougher league. But in the past few weeks, something has been going wrong. The trainer is worried because the players have been gaining so much weight on their tours by eating all those steaks and drinking too much beer. They eat whatever they crave, like snacks, ice cream, or junk food. They are losing their self-discipline. The coach is getting pretty angry, too, especially after that great pep talk of his that should have inspired the team. He was really disgusted during the last game, when they were so sluggish. It was hard to believe that they could have fallen so far so fast.

More information

Now, please read

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/sensen/part2/eight/index.html

More information can be found here:http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/fragments.htm

Sentence Fragments: Quiz Please take the Sentence Fragments Quiz on

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