What is a Fragment One kind of fragment

What is a Fragment? One kind of fragment looks a lot like a complete sentence: Click to begin If. If I knew the answer to the last algebra problem. While Mike was waiting for the downtown bus. While Because Harriet did not attend the meeting last night. since after Click here to see although so that as some common though as long as until dependentunless words because before when even if whenever even though whereas if wherever now that while Each If Good. notof for The these highlighted fragments dependent part haswords inathe subject at fragments the and beginning, a verb, abovejust are we would subject-verb like a normal have three pairs. sentence complete But don’t would. sentences. be. . fooled. Click into on Instead, the thinking subject we have of three these the first dependent fragments fragment. are clauses, complete and each sentences! one is a fragment. Each of these dependent words, when placed in front of a complete sentence, creates athese fragment. Click here to learn how Click here to learn why these. In this case, the fragment is called a dependent clause; in other fragments are like sentences “sentences” are really fragments words, it is no longer capable of standing alone. Click here to learn one way to fix these fragments. That is not correct. Please try again. Skip this demo

Fixing Dependent Clause Fragments Here are the One way to by fix them isan tofirst remove the A second waysame to fixthree thesefragments is to complete them independent Click here to adding learn the way to from slide: in other words, you can adddependent word at the clausethe to first the end; a comma and finish thebeginning sentence: fix dependent clause fragments If I knew the answer to the last algebra problem. , I would explain it to you. (Click onon thethe period dependent at the end word ofinthisfragment) Good. We. Correct! replace the Without period the with word a comma “if” at the andbeginning, then add an this dependent clause independent becomes clauseindependent, to complete the turning sentence. the fragment into a complete sentence. While Mike was waiting for the downtown bus. , he finished the crossword puzzle. (Click onon thethe period dependent at the end word ofinthisfragment) Good. We. Correct! replace the period with a comma then add an this dependent clause Without the word “while”and at the beginning, independent clauseindependent, to complete the sentence. becomes turning the fragment into a complete sentence. Because Harriet did not attend the meeting last night. , she did not cast a vote. (Clickon onthe theperiod dependent at theword end of in this fragment) Good. We replace a comma andbeginning, then add this an dependent clause Correct! Withoutthe theperiod word with “because” at the independent clause to complete becomes independent, turningthe thesentence. fragment into a complete sentence. But what if we want to keep the dependent word? Click here to. Click learn thetosecond way to fixdependentclausefragments here practice fixing That is not correct. Please try again. Skip this demo

Fixing Dependent Clause Fragments In the following examples, click on the dependent word that creates the dependent clause fragment. If the example is a complete sentence, however, click on “Correct. ” 1. Unless Michael failed to install the new water heater earlier this morning. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “unless” Try makes again. this clause a fragment. 2. Because the flu vaccine did not effectively prevent the disease last winter. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “because” Try again. makes this clause a fragment. 3. After the movie was over, we had some buffalo wings and watched the game. Correct DONE! Good! Even Actually, thisthough sentence thisis sentence complete. starts “After” with does a dependent start an dependent clause, anclause, independent but “we” clause starts comes an independent after it. one. 4. When seventeen inches of snow accumulates over a twelve-month period. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “when” Trymakes again. this clause a fragment. 5. If either of the boys had noticed the ice on the road while driving home. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “if” makes Try again. this clause a fragment. 6. Because my younger sister is sick, we had to cancel our trip to the beach. Correct DONE! Good! Even Actually, thisthough sentence thisis sentence complete. starts “Because” with adoes dependent start anclause, dependent an independent clause, butclause “we” starts comesanafter independent it. one. 7. After we saw the movie last Thursday night and came back to the house. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “after” Try makes again. this clause a fragment. 8. While Theodore and Ally were updating their Facebook accounts last week. Correct DONE! Actually, Good! The thisdependent clause is aword fragment. “while” Trymakes again. this clause a fragment. Please pick a dependent word or click “Correct” Do More Practice

Fixing Dependent Clause Fragments In the following paragraph, click on the number in front of each dependent clause fragment. For each fragment you find, click on the best correction from the choices that appear in the grey box below the paragraph. 1 A Mighty Wind is a movie about a fictitious singing group from the 1960 s. 2 It was directed by Christopher Guest. 3 After after he directed Best in Show, an absolutely over-the-top spoof of dog shows. 4 A Mighty Wind stars Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. 55 Although these two actors have worked together before, they have never been as funny as they are in this film. 6 Because because the script and the comic situations are so hilarious. 77 This movie made me laugh so hard that I almost fell off my futon. 8 When when I was watching it. 9 Even though the major actors are superb. , 10 The the supporting cast members play the most memorable roles. 11 11 Famous actors such as Jennifer Coolidge, Parker Posey, and Fred Willard steal the show. 12 12 I will definitely watch the next movie by Christopher Guest. 13 Ifif and when he ever directs again. Good! Now click on the option below that would best fix the fragment you found: Actually, this item is NOT a fragment. It is does a complete start withsentence a dependent with aword subject-verb subjectpair a. Combine with previous followingsentence(“. . . . By (“When (“. . actors dog are Christopher I was so shows, are hilarious watching superb, A Mighty Guest; this it, the movie even if. Wind supporting andthough made stars when. me. cast the he. . ”)ever. . ”) pair that (“although”), verb that can pairstand can thatstand but can on an its stand onown. independent itson own. “A its. Mighty own. “A “It”Mighty “This “Famous clause is“I” “The movie” the Wind” isactors” subject, follows supporting the Wind” issubject, the isand the subject, the introduction, cast and “was subject, members” “will and directed” and “stars” definitely “made” andso “steal” “is” is the isis the isthe item watch” the isverb. ) the verb. ) is averb. . . ”)b. Combine with previous sentence (“. . . fell Christopher in this off film, my futon because Guest when after the. I was he script. directed watching. . ”) Best it. ”). . complete subject, is the verb. and sentence. “play” is. The thefirst verb. subject-verb pair cannot stand on its own, but the. ”) b. c. Combine with previous followingsentence(“. (“When. . By in this Christopher IIwas film watching because Guest, itthe even ifscript. and though when. . ”)the he ever. . ”) second one can. “They” is the subject, and “have never been” is the verb. . . ”)c. Combine with following previous sentence (“. . please. . . Christopher actors are superb; Guest; the aftersupporting he directed cast Best. . Try again, . ”) c. Combine with previous sentence (“. . . By Christopher Guest if and when he ever. . . ”) Please make choosea achoice number in the from grey thebox passage Click Here to Exit!