Complete Sentences/Fragments
Before we get started, watch this video and introduce yourself to sentence fragments.
Fragments, or incomplete sentences, occur quite frequently when we speak, so it's no wonder sentence fragments are often found in formal writing. Consider this example:
"Hey, Sam, do you want to get some lunch?"
"I can't. Too much homework to finish before class."
Sam's response demonstrates the way we use fragmentation in speech. Though the remark includes the verb "finish" and several nouns, the sentence is a fragment. It lacks a subject and verb to define the sentence. A corrected response would include a subject and verb:
"I can't. I have too much homework to finish before class."
Learning how we use fragments in our speech will help us avoid sentence fragments in our writing.
Adopted from http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/fragment.html
"Hey, Sam, do you want to get some lunch?"
"I can't. Too much homework to finish before class."
Sam's response demonstrates the way we use fragmentation in speech. Though the remark includes the verb "finish" and several nouns, the sentence is a fragment. It lacks a subject and verb to define the sentence. A corrected response would include a subject and verb:
"I can't. I have too much homework to finish before class."
Learning how we use fragments in our speech will help us avoid sentence fragments in our writing.
Adopted from http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/fragment.html
But how we spot a sentence fragment?
Put each phrase through a simple test:
- Does it have a verb?
- Does it have a subject?
- Can the phrase make sense standing alone (is it a dependent clause or phrase)?
Before we go any further, take this quiz to test your skills!
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/fragment_fixing.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/fragment_fixing.htm
Take another quiz. It's a little easier than the last one so don't worry:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/fragments_add1.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/fragments_add1.htm
Still not doing so well? Click here for another great review of fragment sentences.
http://ww2.odu.edu/al/wts/sentfrag.htm
http://ww2.odu.edu/al/wts/sentfrag.htm
Sick of all the quizzes? Try this game and test your skills:
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/g/compsentp.cfm
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/g/compsentp.cfm
For those of you that want to be challenged, here is a tough game you might enjoy:
http://www.uvu.edu/owl/infor/test_n_games/games/fragments/gameshow/gameshow/
http://www.uvu.edu/owl/infor/test_n_games/games/fragments/gameshow/gameshow/
Take this quiz:
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/fragments_ex1.htm
Here is one final quiz to test your skills:
http://www.niu.edu/writingtutorial/punctuation/quizzes/SentenceFragments.htm
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/fragments_ex1.htm
Here is one final quiz to test your skills:
http://www.niu.edu/writingtutorial/punctuation/quizzes/SentenceFragments.htm
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1f Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1f Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
