University:
Montgomery College
Course:
ENGL 110: Principles of English Grammar
Academic year:

2021
Views:

358

Pages:

1
Author:

gildnar99xu

GRAMMAR Fragments A fragment is an incomplete sentence: it lacks either a subject, a verb, or both. A sentence that includes both a subject and a verb can have an independent or a dependent clause. A dependent clause is incomplete if no other idea is added to complete it. An independent clause can stand alone; it does not need any additional comment. Most fragments need to add a conjunction or to delete a preposition to become a complete sentence. A complete sentence has: A subject: the actor in the sentence. A verb: the action posed by the subject. A complete thought; it makes sense; it can stand alone. Examples of Fragments: After the rain stops. (What will happen?) Since you asked the question. (You receive an answer?) If you want to come with me. (What should I do?) For the player to score. (What does he have to do?) These sentences are incomplete because of the conjunctions/prepositions they use at the beginning: after, since, if, for. To eliminate fragments, writers should either delete these conjunctions/prepositions or join the fragments with other clauses to indicate a logical relationship. After the rain stops, John will ride his bike. Since you asked the question, an expert will come over to answer it for the whole class. If you want to come with me, you must be prepared to bring your passport. For the player to score, he must receive the pass in a split of a second. How to find and fix fragments: Remember the basics: subject, verb, complete thought. If you have a conjunction, identify which part goes with it, that is the dependent clause. Make sure the dependent clause is attached to an independent clause. Because his car was in the shop (Dependent clause). John took the bus (Independent clause). John took the bus because his car was in the shop. Because his car was in the shop, John took the bus.