avoiding fragments. a fragment is simply an incomplete sentence. because my meeting ran late. which...
TRANSCRIPT
Avoiding Fragments
A fragment is simply an incomplete sentence.
Because my meeting ran late.Which was damaged by a tornado.Looking for a gift for my mother.
By themselves, these fragments are obvious. They’re incomplete thoughts, unconnected to the rest of the idea.
A complete sentence has three features:
1. It has a subject.2. It has a complete verb.3. It makes sense.
Our town will rebuild the historic library. (“Town” is the subject, and “will rebuild” is the verb.)
Here’s a fragment that’s missing the subject:
I spent all day at the mall on Saturday. Looking for a gift for my mother.
Notice that the passage as a whole makes sense, but each sentence, from the capital letter to the period, must make sense on its own.
Here’s a fragment that’s missing a main verb:
Matt, a truly great supervisor who anticipates his employee’s needs.
Notice that the verb “anticipates” is not the main verb of the sentence. “Matt” doesn’t have a verb.
This common type of fragment is called a dependent clause:
Because my meeting ran late.
The word “because” makes this sentence incomplete. It’s hanging around, waiting to be finished.
Can you find the fragment in this passage?
Fifty years ago, when I was a boy of fifteen and helping to inhabit a Missourian village on the banks of the Mississippi. I had a friend whose society was very dear to me because I was forbidden by my mother to partake of it.
Mark Twain
The fragment is highlighted.
Fifty years ago, when I was a boy of fifteen and helping to inhabit a Missourian village on the banks of the Mississippi. I had a friend whose society was very dear to me because I was forbidden by my mother to partake of it.
Mark Twain
Isolated, it’s easy to see that this passage does not complete a thought.
Fifty years ago, when I was a boy of fifteen and helping to inhabit a Missourian village on the banks of the Mississippi.
Note that if the word “when” were removed, the passage would then be complete.
Can you find the fragment in this passage?
One way to begin to grasp the destructive power of present-day nuclear weapons is to describe the consequences of the detonation of a one-megaton bomb. Which possesses eighty times the explosive power of the Hiroshima bomb. Jonathan Schell
The fragment is highlighted.
One way to begin to grasp the destructive power of present-day nuclear weapons is to describe the consequences of the detonation of a one-megaton bomb. Which possesses eighty times the explosive power of the Hiroshima bomb. Jonathan Schell
Correcting fragments
Most fragments can be connected to the appropriate complete sentence.
Fragment: I overslept. Because I forgot to set my alarm.
Correction: I overslept because I forgot to set my alarm.
Another correction:
Fragment: Jack spent most of the afternoon in the library. Looking for information on raising bees.
Correction: Jack spent most of the afternoon in the library, looking for information on raising bees.
A subject can be added to correct a fragment.
Fragment: Discouraged by the low score on his geometry test. Frank decided to see a tutor.
Correction: Frank was discouraged by the low score on his geometry test. He decided to see a tutor.
Remember that a complete sentence must pass three tests:
It must have a subject.
It must have a verb.
It must make sense by itself.
Click on the complete sentence:
He is tonight's speaker.
Which surprises us all.
Understanding that the DVD, once opened, cannot be refunded.
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Which sentence is complete?
Whenever it rains.
Only if it isn't raining.
Give me that, please.
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You’re right!
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Which of the following passages contains no fragment? (Click on “A” or “B.”
A. We decided to drive to the Bon Jovi concert rather than fly since we wanted to save money. The concert is only 300 miles away. B. We decided to drive to the Bon Jovi concert rather than fly. Since we wanted to save money. The concert is only 300 miles away.
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Correct!
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.
Which passage contains no fragment?
A. Ernest Hemingway wrote several novels about war. For example, For Whom the Bell Tolls. I remember reading this novel in high school.
B. Ernest Hemingway wrote several novels about war, for example, For Whom the Bell Tolls. I remember reading this novel in high school.
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Correct!
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Which passage contains no fragment? Choose A or B.
A. I need to replace my old car. Which has over 200,000 miles on it. This time, I want a car with an automatic transmission.
B. I need to replace my old car, which has over 200,000 miles on it. This time, I want a car with an automatic transmission.
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Correct!
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.
Which passage contains no fragment? Click on “A” or “B.”
A. We have always admired Ms. White, a reporter who asks insightful questions. Her show gets top ratings.
B. We have always admired Ms. White. A reporter who asks insightful questions. Her show gets top ratings.
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Correct!
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Which passage contains no fragments?
A. The budget committee members recommended a new pay scale system because the current system proved unfair to long-term employees. B. The budget committee members recommended a new pay scale system. Because the current system proved unfair to long-term employees.
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Correct!
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Which passage is correct?
A. Sarah McLachlan, an accomplished singer and songwriter. Organized Lilith Fair, an all-female music tour in 1997. B. Sarah McLachlan, an accomplished singer and songwriter, organized Lilith Fair, an all-female music tour in 1997.
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Correct!
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Which passage is correct?
A. Participants in the Lilith Fair tour included well-known female singers. Such as Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, and Jewel.B. Participants in the Lilith Fair tour included well-known female singers such as Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, and Jewel.
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Correct!
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Which passage is correct?
A. Looking out the plane’s window as it flew over Salt Lake City at night, Sissy marveled at the beauty of thousands of twinkling city lights.B. Looking out the plane’s window as it flew over Salt Lake City at night. Sissy marveled at the beauty of thousands of twinkling city lights.
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Correct!
Click here for the final sentence.
Which passage is correct?
A. We should nurture solitude. Whether it’s listening to music, taking a walk, painting, reading, or going for a drive. We need time to listen to our hearts. B. We should nurture solitude. Whether it’s listening to music, taking a walk, painting, reading, or going for a drive, we need time to listen to our hearts.
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Right!
You have completed the lesson on fragments.