Sentence Fragments
A
is a group of words that is
capitalized and punctuated as a sentence but is not a
sentence.
Example: Johnny wanted to go home. Went to the
park, then drove around.
Sentence Fragments
A sentence needs at least one
which contains a
and
with a
.
,
and does not start
NO SUBJECT The catcher batted fifth. Fouled out,
ending the inning.
Who fouled out?
NO VERB
The first two batters walked. Manny
Ramirez again.
What did Ramirez do again?
Sentence Fragments
A sentence needs at least one
which contains a
and
with a
.
SUBORDINATE
CLAUSE
,
and does not start
Although the Yankees loaded the
bases.
There is a subject (Yankees) and a verb (loaded),
but
makes this into a subordinate
clause. What happened after the Yankees loaded
the bases?
Some subordinating words
after
since
where
although
so that
whether
as
that
while
as if
though
who
because
unless
which
before
until
why
if
when
Sentence Fragments
Writers often use sentence fragments for
be
.
or to
FOR EMPHASIS
Throughout my elementary and middle school years, I
was a strong student, always on the honor roll. I never
had a GPA below 3.0. I was smart, and I knew it. That is,
until I got the results of the proficiency test.
Sentence Fragments
Writers often use sentence fragments for
be
.
or to
TO BE INFORMAL
The SAT writing test predicts how successful a student will
be in college. Since when?
Editing Fragments
Since some readers regard fragments as errors, it’s
generally better to write complete sentences. Here are
four ways to make fragments into sentences.
1. Remove the subordinating word
I’m thinking about moving to a large city. Because I dislike
the lack of privacy in my country town of three thousand.
Editing Fragments
Since some readers regard fragments as errors, it’s
generally better to write complete sentences. Here are
four ways to make fragments into sentences.
2. Add a subject
The catcher batted fifth. Fouled out, ending the inning.
The catcher batted fifth.
out, ending the inning.
Editing Fragments
Since some readers regard fragments as errors, it’s
generally better to write complete sentences. Here are
four ways to make fragments into sentences.
3. Add a verb
The first two batters walked. Manny Ramirez again.
The first two batters walked. Manny
again.
.
Ramirez
Editing Fragments
Sometimes a fragment contains a verb form, such as a
present or past participle, that cannot function as the
main verb of a sentence. In these cases, you can either
substitute an appropriate verb form or add a
.
Substitute a verb form
• As the game progressed, the fan’s excitement
diminished. The pitcher’s arm weakening
,
and the fielders making
a number of errors.
Editing Fragments
Sometimes a fragment contains a verb form, such as a present
or past participle, that cannot function as the main verb of a
sentence. In these cases, you can either substitute an
appropriate verb form or add a
.
Add a helping verb
• The media influence the election process. Political
commercials appearing on television more
frequently than in years past.
Editing Fragments
Since some readers regard fragments as errors, it’s
generally better to write complete sentences. Here are
four ways to make fragments into sentences.
3. Attach the fragment to a nearby sentence
• Some candidates spread nasty stories. About
their opponents.
• Put off by negative campaigning. Some
decide not to vote at all.
people
Exercise: Paragraph Writing
and Finding Fragments
Write a paragraph about your worst school experience.
Make sure that you begin with a topic sentence and
provide at least two supporting details. Include in your
paragraph two sentence fragments—yes, I want you to
write two fragments
. Write them normally,
and don’t indicate where they are.