Fragments Chapter 23
Fragments:
1. Some word groups that begin with a dependent word are fragments. See Chapter 23 page 403 for "Dependent words" 2. How to correct a Fragment, in most cases you can correct a dependent-word fragment by attaching it to the sentence that comes after it or the sentence that comes before it. Tips: a.) Use a comma if a dependent-word group comes at the beginning of a sentence. Before Independent clause, no fanboy is needed EXAMPLE: After I cashed my paycheck, I treated myself to dinner. EXAMPLE: However, do not use a comma if the dependent-word group comes at the end of a sentence. b.) Sometimes the dependent words "who", "that", "which", or "where" appear not at the very start, but near the start, of a word group. A fragment often results: EXAMPLE: I drove slowly past the old brick house. The place where I grew up. LAST SENTENCE IS A FRAGMENT, IT SHOULD READ: CORRECT: I drove slowly past the old brick house, the place where I grew up. REMOVE PERIOD AND ADD A "," COMMA AFTER HOUSE!
Chapter 23 Added-Detail Fragments Added-detail fragments lack a subject and a verb.
Added Detail Fragments often begin with: ALSO, LIKE, ESPECIALLY, INCLUDING, EXCEPT, SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE. People often write added detail fragments for much the same reason they write -ING fragments. They think the subject and verb in one sentence will serve for the next word group. BUT the subject and verb must be in each word group. How to Correct Added-Detail Fragments: 1. a) Before a race, I eat starchy foods. Such as bread and spaghetti. The carbohydrates provide quick energy. Attach the fragment to the complete thought that precedes it by removing period after the word foods and making the letter "S" in Such to a small "s" Item 1 could read: "Before a race, I eat starchy foods such as bread and spaghetti" 2.a) Bob is taking a night course in auto mechanics. Also, one in plumbing. He wants to save money on household repairs. Add a subject and a verb to the fragment to make it a complete sentence. Subject & Verb was added to second sentence "he" the subject and "taking" the verb. Item 2 could read: "Bob is taking a night course in auto mechanics. Also, he is taking one in plumbing". 3.a) My son keeps several pets in his room. Including hamsters and mice. Insert the fragment within the preceding sentence. Rearrange sentence below Item 3 can read: "My son keeps several pets, including hamsters and mice, in his room".
Fragments Chapter 23 Dependent-Word Fragments. Dependent clauses are often recognized by a dependent word. Every sentence must have a subject and a verb and must express a complete thought. A word group that lacks a subject or a verb and does not express a complete thought is a fragment. Some word groups that begin with a dependent word are fragments. Following is a list of common dependent words. Whenever you start a sentence with one of these words, you must be careful that a fragment does not result. See Definitions next door
Dependent-Word Fragments: AFTER, ALTHOUGH, THOUGH, AS, BECAUSE, BEFORE, EVEN THOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, HOW, IF, EVEN IF, IN ORDER THAT, SINCE, THAT, SO THAT, UNLESS, UNTIL, WHAT, WHATEVER, INCLUDING, WHEN, WHENEVER, WHERE, WHEREVER, WHETHER, WHICH, WHICHEVER, WHILE, WHO, WHOSE. Fragment Example: "After I cashed my paycheck. I treated myself to dinner". (this is a dependent statement, one starting with a dependent word like AFTER, it cannot stand along.) It needs to depend on another statement to complete the thought. It leave us hanging. We expect to find out, in the same sentence, "What Happened after the writer cashed the check. When a writer does not follow through and complete a thought, a fragment results. How to Correct a Dependent-Word Fragment: For Example: 1.) "After I cashed my paycheck, I treated myself to dinner" (the period was removed and a comma was added after paycheck). 2.) Another way of connecting a dependent-word fragment is simply to eliminate the dependent word by rewriting the sentence. Tips: a.) Use a comma if a dependent-word group comes at the beginning of a sentence (see pg 499), use comma after a dependent clause, DO NOT USE FANBOYS, put comma before beginning your independent clause, BUT DO NOT USE COMMA WHEN Independent clause comes first. b.) Sometimes the dependent words such as: WHO, THAT, WHICH, or WHERE appear not at the vary start, but near the start, of a word group, a fragment often results, (see page 405) You can correct a fragment by attaching it to the sentence that comes after it or the sentence that comes before it. NOTE: Dependent is also referred Subordinate toSubordinating words. See pages 110-112
Fragments Chapter 23 -ing and to Fragments
Example Sentences, how to correct (-ING) Fragments: 1.) Ellen walked all over the neighborhood yesterday. Trying to find her dog Bo. Several people claimed they had seen him only hours before. Note: Attach the fragment to the sentence that comes before it or the sentence that comes after it, whichever makes sense. Item 1 can read: "Ellen walked all over the neighborhood yesterday, trying to find her dog Bo." changing the period to a comma and making into a complete sentence. 2.) "We sat back to watch the movie. "Not expecting anything special". To our surprise, we clapped, cheered, and cried for the next two hours." Note: Add a subject and change the -ing verb part to the correct form of the verb. Remove "Not & Expecting" to "We & Expect" Item 2 can read: "We didn't expect anything special". 3.) "I telephoned the balloon store. It BEING the day before our wedding anniversary" I knew my wife would be surprised to receive a dozen heart-shaped balloons. Note: Change being to the correct form of the verb be (AM, ARE, IS, WAS, WERE). Change word "BEING" to "WAS" items 3 can read: "IT WAS" the day before our wedding anniversary" How to correct (TO) Fragments: when "to" appears at or near the start of a word group, a fragment some-times results: "At the Chinese restaurant, Tim used chopsticks. To impress his date. He spent one hour eating a small bowl of rice". The second word group is a fragment and can be corrected by adding it to the preceding sentence. Remove period after chopsticks and put a comma instead. (see page 407 for example sentences) "At the Chinese restaurant, Tim used chopsticks to impress his date".
Chapter 23 Missing-Subject Fragments
How to Correct Missing-Subject Fragments: Example sentences below: Missing-Subject Fragments: 1. "Alicia loved getting wedding presents. But hated writing thank-you notes". Attach the fragment to the preceding sentence. Item can read: "Alicia loved getting wedding presents but hated writing thank-you notes." 2. "Mickey has orange soda and potato chips for breakfast. Then eats more junk food, like root beer and cookies, for lunch". Add a subject (which can often be a pronoun standing for the subject in the preceding sentence) by making sentence into one sentence instead of two sentences. Item 2 could read: "Then he eats more junk food, like root beer and cookies, for lunch." How to Correct Missing-Subject Fragments 1. Attach the fragment to the preceding sentence. Item 1 could read: "Alicia loved getting wedding presents but hated writing thank-you notes." 2. Add a subject (which can often be a pronoun standing for the subject in the preceding sentence). Item 2 could read: "Their he easts more junk food, like root beer and cookies, for lunch.
