Sentence Fragments : Sentence Fragments Sohail Ahmed
What is a Sentence Fragment?: What is a Sentence Fragment? A sentence fragment is a phrase or clause that is punctuated as a sentence but is not a grammatical sentence because it does not express a complete thought. A fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence complete thought ; therefore, it is an incomplete senten ce but is missing a subject, a verb, or a complete idea. Sohail Ahmed 2
Following are some examples of sentence fragments. : Following are some examples of sentence fragments. 1 . In the car. 2. With a brand-new hat. 3. Running in the woods. 4. Singing a song. 5. At the party. Sohail Ahmed 3
Solutions to Sentence Fragments: Solutions to Sentence Fragments Notice that none of the five examples above contains a specific action (or predicate ) A person (or subject ) to perform the action . To transform all five sentence fragments into full-fledged sentences, then, all we need to do is to add a subject and a predicate. Lets’ use the subject “I,” and the predicate “saw him.” Sohail Ahmed 4
use the subject “I,” and the predicate “saw him.”: use the subject “I,” and the predicate “saw him.” 1. I saw him in the car. 2. I saw him with a brand-new hat. 3. I saw him running in the woods. 4. I saw him singing a song. 5. I saw him at the party. Sohail Ahmed 5
Other Solutions : Other Solutions Likewise, sentence fragments can be transformed into a full-fledged sentence by placing a subject and predicate on the other side of the fragment, as in the following examples : 1. In the car I saw him. 2. With a brand new hat I saw him. 3. Running in the woods I saw him. 4. Singing a song I saw him. 5. At the party I saw him. Sohail Ahmed 6
Lets Inspect Elements of Sentence : Lets Inspect Elements of Sentence A sentence consists of 3 components Subject: the person, place, or thing performing or doing the action Verb: the action Complete idea: the reader isn't left waiting for another word Sohail Ahmed 7
Take a look at this sentence: Take a look at this sentence I read a book. Subject: I Verb: read Complete Idea: a book The book is a direct object . Not all sentences require a direct object. Thus we can call it a complete Sentence Sohail Ahmed 8
Take a look at Other sentence: Take a look at Other sentence Birds Fly. Subject: birds Verb: fly Is it a complete idea? Yes. There is no direct object here; however, it is still a complete idea and a good sentence. Sohail Ahmed 9
An other Example: An other Example I take. Subject: I Verb: Take Is it a complete idea? NO . This sentence requires a direct object. This sentence is called a S entence Fragment . Sohail Ahmed 10
Transitive Or Intransitive VERB: Transitive Or Intransitive VERB If the sentence requires a direct object, it is called a transitive verb . If the verb does not need a direct object, it is called an intransitive verb. It is actually the verb which determines whether the sentence requires a direct object or not . Sohail Ahmed 11
SO! what's a sentence fragment? : SO! what's a sentence fragment ? A sentence fragment is a sentence that lacks a subject or lacks a verb or is not a complete idea ( one reason could be because it does not have a direct object if the verb needs one ). Sohail Ahmed 12
How To fix Sentence Fragments?: How To fix Sentence Fragments? There are three Methods to fix sentence fragments Method #1 Attach the sentence fragment to another sentence. That other sentence could be before or after the sentence fragment. After getting money . {Sentence Fragment} I bought a new dress after getting money. {A Complete Sentence} Sohail Ahmed 13
How To fix Sentence Fragments?: How To fix Sentence Fragments? Method #2 Add a subject, verb, or both to make the sentence complete . “The person I hate most in life ” {Sentence Fragment} “Sonia is the person I hate most in life.” {Complete Sentence} “ I saw the person I hate most in life.” { Complete Sentence} Sohail Ahmed 14
How To fix Sentence Fragments?: How To fix Sentence Fragments? Method #3 Take away/Erase the word or phrase that makes it a sentence fragment. While Sahil was in Paris . {Sentence fragment} Sahil was in Paris . {Complete Sentence} Because people do not believe in birth control . {Sentence fragment} People do not believe in birth control. {Complete Sentence} Sohail Ahmed 15
Rules to Remember: Rules to Remember Sentence fragments can make your writing very confusing . Avoid sentence fragments in professional writing, formal writing, essays, business letters, and compositions . Sentence fragments are written and acceptable in the following types of writing : Poetry Quotes Quoted speech Plays Sohail Ahmed 16
Suggestion : Suggestion Don’t Ask Questions Avoid Sentence Fragments Sohail Ahmed 17
PowerPoint Presentation: Sohail Ahmed 18