Sentence Fragments

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Sentence Fragments

• Writing incomplete thoughts is like
• coming to class in underwear.

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What are sentence fragments?

• Fragments are incomplete thoughts.
• They are phrases or dependent clauses rather
  than complete sentences or independent clauses.
  
• The following are the four types of fragments.

• Four Types of Fragments
• 1. Dependent-word fragments
• 2. Ing/to phrase fragments
• 3. Added-detail fragments
• 4. Missing-subject fragments

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1. What are dependent clause fragments?

• Never punctuate a dependent clause as a full
  sentence
  
• She doesnt like her sister. Because she wears
  her clothes.
  
• Marco didnt care about school. Until his dad
  died.
  
• Adri would have eaten another burrito. Except her
  stomach felt full.

• To make a clause dependent, use marker words
  such as
  
• Because
• Until
• Except
• Although
• When
• If
• Before
• These marker words connect two clauses into one
  sentence.

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2.What are -ING and TO phrase fragments?

• Fragments often begin with ing and to verb
  phrases
  
• To finish college. A student needs dedication.
• Knowing that it was time. Karla starting taking
  the VISTA quiz.
  
• Any person has to work hard. To finish any
  serious task.
  
• She was on the phone for hours. Talking with her
  favorite cousin from India.

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3. What are added-detail fragments?

• Some fragments add a detail to a previous
  thought
  
• A good nurse should have some good qualities.
  Such as being caring, careful and competent.
  
• No one understands how Alfredo fears the COMPASS
  test. Not even his instructor.
  
• Marta watched the cartoons all evening.
  Entertaining to her amusement.
  
• Around 8 in the evening, Abir opened the
  computer. For information searching.
  

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4. What are missing-subject fragments?

• Fragments often occur when there is no subject
• Americans are wasteful because throw away food,
  clothes, and even cars.
  
• Is difficult for night people to attend early
  morning classes.
  
• While Marcelo got dressed, heard a crashing sound
  in the kitchen.
  
• Were several reasons that Nisha left the exam
  early.

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Can you match fragment types?

• Identify fragment types as
• Dependent-word, ING or TO phrase,
• Added-detail, or Missing-subject
• Having enjoyed spring break.
• Feel very energized.
• I ready to do my school work.
• Such as finishing my essays and researching for
  my history class.
  
• When the assignments are due.
• Will turn in all my work on time.
• Getting a good grade.

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Here are the fragment types

• Having enjoyed spring break.
• Feel very energized.
• I ready to do my school work.
• Such as finishing my essays and researching for
  my history class.
  
• When the assignments are due.
• Will turn in all my work on time.
• Getting a good grade.

• ING phrase
• Missing subject
• Missing verb
• Added detail
• Dependent marker
• Missing subject
• Missing verb

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How do we correct fragments?
I. Use a comma to connect the fragment
to the independent clause
Example 1
Because there was a mosquito in the room. I could
not fall asleep.
Because there was a mosquito in the room, I could
not fall asleep.
Rule When you start a sentence with because,
put a commanot a periodin the middle.
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Fragment example 2
Sitting quietly on the couch.The dog didnt look
as if hed eaten my sandwich.
Sitting quietly on the couch, the dog didnt look
as if hed eaten my sandwich.
Rule Connect ING phrases to the main clause
with a commanever a period!
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Fragment example 3

• Almost everyone loves ice cream. Especially
  vanilla.
  
• Almost everyone loves ice cream, especially
  chocolate and vanilla.

Rule Connect added-thought phrases to the main
clause
with a commanever a period!
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Fill in the missing part and turn the
fragment into a complete sentence
Example 1
The day-long rain was good for the garden. But
__ flooded the basement.
The day-long rain was good for the garden, but it
flooded the basement.
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How to Correct Fragments

• Always connect fragments to the main sentence by
  eliminating the overused period mark
  
• A mouses face popped out of a hole near the
  sink. Then disappeared quickly.
  
• A mouses face popped out of a hole near the
  sink. Then it disappeared quickly.
  

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Can you identify fragments?

• 1. Martha Stewart not dining with us this
  Thanksgiving.
  
• 2. I'm telling you in advance.
• 3. Don't act surprised.
• 4. Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming.
• 5. We have made a just a very few small changes.

6. Our sidewalk will not be lined with stars.
7. After a trial run. 8. Rows of lunch sacks do n
ot have the desired effect. 9. Our guests noting
that the entry is not decorated with the swags of
Indian corn . 10. The kids having fun in colorful
autumn leaves from the front yard.
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Can you identify fragments?

• 11. The mud was their bad idea.
• 12. The dining table not covered with expensive
  linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets.
  
• 13. However, since this is Easter.
• 14. We no using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate
  and the Santa napkins.
  
• 15. Was necessary to escape from the boring
  lecture.

16. Except for my favorite grandmother.
17. Along with everyone else, knew that the car
would not run properly. 18. Joni in the shopping
mall looking at all of the passers by.
19. She almost forgot to go to work on time.
20. Arriving late at the office, asked her boss
to forgive her.
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Can you identify fragments?

• 21. Although most of the class understood the
  question.
  
• 22. Mona didnt even know it was a question.
• 23. Looking blankly at the instructor.
• 24. She didnt answer at anything all.
• 25. The professor thought she was dumb, but hoped
  that she would wake up.

26. Without even looking up at the instructor.
27. Mona called a friend on her cell phone.
28. The professor very angry with Mona.
29. Saying, What is your problem, girl?
30. Then Mona, running from the class in an
emotional fit, looking back at her laughing
friends.