Fragment Sentences Grammar Rule 4 What is a

Fragment Sentences Grammar Rule #4

What is a Complete Sentence? n A complete sentence is an independent clause OR an indep. clause AND a dep. clause n A complete sentence contains: n n A subject (at least a noun) A verb (action) Predicate A compliment Example: n The smelly old dog (subject) ate (verb) my shoe. (compliment)---Predicate=“ate my shoe”

What is a Fragment Sentence? n A fragment sentence is an incomplete sentence. It is missing either the subject, verb, or an independent clause to attach to. n Fragments are PHRASES or DEPENDENT CLAUSES n Phrase=group of words without subject and/or verb n Dependent clause=has a verb and subject, but cannot stand on its own, and it begins with dependent word (if, because, etc. )

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause?

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing?

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing? A verb

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n n What is it missing? A verb Because I had lost my keys. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause?

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n n What is it missing? A verb Because I had lost my keys. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause?

Examples of Fragments n A short course in history. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n n What is it missing? A verb Because I had lost my keys. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing? n An independent clause to attach to it

Examples of Fragments n To live a little longer. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing?

Examples of Fragments n To live a little longer. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing? n n A subject After you gave me the valentine. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause?

Examples of Fragments n To live a little longer. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing? n n A subject After you gave me the valentine. n Is it a phrase or a dependent clause? n What is it missing? n An independent clause to attach to it

Identifying Sentence Fragments First--Ask yourself IS THERE A VERB? NO IT’S A FRAGMENT YES Next--Ask yourself IS THERE A SUBJECT? YES NO IT’S A FRAGMENT

Identifying Sentence Fragments Next--Ask yourself Does it sound like only PART of a complete thought? (often begins with because, when, if, as, and, so, but, for, yet, nor, after, until, “ -ing” word) YES NO IT’S A COMPLETE SENTENCE IT’S A FRAGMENT

Repairing Sentence Fragments n Two ways to repair fragment sentences n n Attach the dependent clause to a nearby independent clause (complete thought) Add the missing subject or verb to the phrase to make it into a complete sentence

Attaching n n Americans have come to fear the West Nile virus. Because it is transmitted by the common mosquito. (FRAGMENT) CORRECT: Americans have come to fear the West Nile virus because it is transmitted by the common mosquito.

Adding n n Running for the bus. (fragment) CORRECT: I twisted my ankle running for the bus.

Now YOU Try! n n n Fix the fragment by ATTACHING If you think creepy costumes are scary. Then going to a Halloween haunted house will really terrify you. (Frag. ) CORRECT: If you think creepy costumes are scary, then going to a Halloween haunted house will really terrify you.

Now YOU Try! n n Fix the fragment by ADDING When my pumpkin is carved. (Frag. ) COMPLETE: I really get in the Halloween spirit when my pumpkin is carved. COMPLETE: When my pumpkin is carved, it comes to life!