FRAGMENTS AND RUN-ON REVIEW



Grammar

SENTENCE FRAGMENT

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It may be missing a verb, it may be missing a subject, it may be missing a subject and a verb or it may be just phrase that starts with a word indicating time or the word “because.”

For example:

A sentence fragment may be missing a verb- A young boy.

(A young boy did what? Cried? Yelled? Thought?)

It may be missing a subject-Asked for more pasta.

(Who asked for more pasta? Your mom? The coach? Frank?)

It may be missing a subject and a verb- To the back of the classroom.

(Who? And what did they do? Walked? Ran? Looked?)

It may be just a phrase that starts with a word about time or “because”- After I ran the marathon.

(What happened? You fainted? You cried?)

The opposite of a sentence fragment is a complete sentence

How do you recognize a fragment?

Just look to make sure that the sentence has a subject (who or what is doing the action) and a verb (the action.) If a sentence starts with a word about time or the word because, there must be something after it to explain the reasoning. For example, “Because I was ready, we left early.”

Consider a very short sentence. “I am.” It is only three letters, but it has a subject “I” and a verb “am.” If it does not have these two things it is a fragment.

However you will be able to recognize most fragments. They just won’t sound right!

Practice Exercise #1- Decide if the sentences below are sentence fragments or complete sentences. If they are fragments, edit or add to the sentences to become complete.

1. My uncle Dan. Fragment? ____________

2. Ran down the street. Fragment? ____________

3. The cast of the musical sang. Fragment? ____________

4. Because I am fourteen. Fragment? ____________

Practice Exercise #2: Mark C for a complete sentence, and mark F for a fragment.

1. _______ As we wait for the rain to stop

2. _______ When Alex phones

3. _______ She goes to Centennial College

4. _______ Until you eat your vegetables

5. _______ They plan to visit Nova Scotia this summer

6. _______ Ate at a famous restaurant

7. _______ Even though I was tired

8. _______ While working the night shift

9. _______ For example, hockey and skating

10. _______ Expecting to hear from you soon

11. _______ Before you leave

12. _______ While they were gone to the grocery store.

13. _______ Going to Florida and to Jamaica for Spring Break.

14. _______ Before the children have to go to bed.

15. _______ They are beautiful.

16. _______ Three of us went on the retreat.

17. _______ Because she had gone to her friend's house late at night without asking for permission.

18. _______ She won't eat them.

19. _______ I don't know when she's coming back.

20. _______ Since they left early in the morning.

21. _______ Mike doesn't know.

22. _______ Don't go into that room alone.

23. _______ After you return from the store.

24. _______ Because education is important.

25. _______ We are leaving at 3:00.

26. _______ Since she was dressed in white.

27. _______ While he is planning to be in Europe for the summer.

28. _______ There is nobody to help her.

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