Identify sentence fragments

key notes :

Sentence Fragments:

1. Definition:
   • A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but does not express a complete thought. It lacks one of the essential components of a complete sentence: a subject, a verb, or both.
2. Components of a Complete Sentence:
   • Subject: The person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about.
   • Verb: The action or state of being in the sentence.
   • Complete Thought: The sentence must make sense on its own and convey a full idea.
3. Characteristics of a Sentence Fragment:
   • Missing Subject: “Ran quickly to the store.” (Who ran quickly?)
   • Missing Verb: “The girl with the blue dress.” (What did the girl do?)
   • Incomplete Thought: “Because I was late.” (What happened because you were late?)
4. Common Types of Fragments:
   • Dependent Clause Fragment: Begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, if) but doesn’t complete the thought. Example: “Although she was tired.”
   • Phrase Fragment: A group of words that lacks a subject and a verb. Example: “In the middle of the night.”
   • Appositive Fragment: Renames or identifies a noun but is not a complete sentence. Example: “A tall, lanky boy.”
5. How to Identify Sentence Fragments:
   • Check for a Subject and Verb: Ensure the sentence has both a subject and a verb. Example: “While waiting for the bus.” (What happened while waiting for the bus?)
   • Look for Complete Thoughts: Ensure the sentence expresses a complete thought. If the sentence leaves you asking “What happened next?” it may be a fragment.
   • Watch for Subordinating Conjunctions: Words like because, although, when, if, since, etc., often introduce dependent clauses. Ensure they are connected to a main clause. Example: “Since it was raining.” (What happened because it was raining?)
6. Correcting Sentence Fragments:
   • Add Missing Elements: If the fragment is missing a subject or verb, add the necessary components. Example: “Running late.” can be corrected to “She was running late.”
   • Connect to a Main Clause: Attach the fragment to a complete sentence to provide context. Example: “Because I was tired.” can be corrected to “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
   • Rephrase the Sentence: Sometimes rephrasing can turn a fragment into a complete sentence. Example: “A beautiful sunset.” can become “The sunset was beautiful.”
7. Examples:
   • Fragment: “After the game was over.”
     • Correction: “After the game was over, we went out for ice cream.”
   • Fragment: “Running through the park.”
     • Correction: “He was running through the park.”
   • Fragment: “Which was the last piece of cake.”
     • Correction: “I ate the last piece of cake.”

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