Sentence Problems - Fragments

Sentence Problems Fragments

Sentence Fragments

• are incomplete sentences or parts of sentences.

• Remember that a complete sentence must contain at least one main independent clause.

Example 1

i. Because some students work part-time while taking a full load of classes.

Problem

This is a dependent clause. It begins with a subordinator (because). It does not express a complete thought because there is no independent clause.

To correct

(1) Add an independent clause.

Because some students work part-time while taking a full load of courses, they have very little free time.

OR

(2) Delete the subordinator (because).

Some students work part-time while taking a full load of classes.

Example 2

i. For example, the increase in the cost of renting an apartment.

ii. To live and work for at least a year in a foreign country.

Problem

Neither sentence has a verb. (Renting, to live and work are acting as nouns) *Gerunds and infinitives

To correct

Rewrite each sentence so that it has a verb.

For example, the increase in the cost of renting an apartment is one reason for more people being homeless.

To live and work for at least a year in a foreign country has always been my dream.

Example 3

i. Teachers who give too much homework.

Problem

This is a noun (teachers) + an adjective clause (who give too much homework). The noun is the beginning of an independent clause that was never finished.

Relative pronouns used to introduce adjective clauses: who, which, that, whom and the elliptical relative pronoun, e.g., The instrument (that) I love is the piano. ('that' is implied in the sentence)

To correct

Finish the dependent clause.

Teachers who give too much homework are unpopular.

To sum up

Always check your own writing for sentence fragments. Pay particular attention to:

1) sentences beginning with subordinators (although, since, because, if, before, and so on). Make sure that every clause beginning with these words is attached to an independent clause.

2) Missing verbs

3) Sentences with relative pronouns (who, which, that, whom and the elliptical relative pronoun)

Multiple Choice

Question 1

The desire of all humankind to live in peace and freedom, for example.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 2

Second, a fact that men are physically stronger than women.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 3

The best movie I saw last year.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 4

Titanic was the most financially successful movie ever made, worldwide.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 5

For example, many students have part-time jobs.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 6

Although people want to believe that all men are created equal.

• Fragment

• Complete

Multiple Choice

Question 7

Finding a suitable marriage partner is a challenging task.

• Fragment

• Complete

Open Ended

Question 8

Rewrite each fragment to make a complete sentence.

Working during the morning and attending classes during the afternoon.

Working during the morning and attending classes during the afternoon are exhausting tasks some students face.

Open Ended

Question 8

Rewrite each fragment to make a complete sentence.

Many of my friends who did not have the opportunity to go to college.

Many of my friends who did not have the opportunity to go to college are still making money.

Many of my friends did not have the opportunity to go to college.