7.4: Fragment
- Page ID
- 6957
Practice 1
Identify any fragments in the following "sentences." Keep in mind that a sentence must have a subject, have a verb, and express a complete thought.
Remember that the "ing" form of a verb is not a true verb unless it is preceded by a helping verb.
Remember that the "to" form of the verb (the infinitive) is not a verb.
- Martha Stewart not dining with us this Thanksgiving.
- I'm telling you in advance.
- So don't act surprised.
- Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming.
- I've made a few small changes.
- Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade paper bag luminaries.
- After a trial run.
- It was decided that, no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.
- Once inside, our guests noting that the entry is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage that I had planned to make.
- Instead, I've gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard.
- The mud was their idea.
- The dining table not covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets.
- However, since this is Thanksgiving.
- We will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.
Practice 2
Identify any fragments in the following "sentences." Keep in mind that a sentence must have a subject, have a verb, and express a complete thought.
Remember that the "ing" form of a verb is not a true verb unless it is preceded by a helping verb.
Remember that the "to" form of the verb (the infinitive) is not a verb.
The following selection was adapted from Terry Kay's To Dance with the White Dog.
- On the day after his father was buried.
- James drove to the cemetery in the pink-blue glaze of dawn.
- The plot was still crowded with wreaths of flowers.
- Flowers with bright, colorful faces and ribbon sashes.
- And the white, mica-sand covering of the ground was pockmarked where people had stood for the gravesite services.
- And where chairs had been placed for the family.
- James stood at the foot of the graves of his parents and his brother.
- A brother he had not known.
- A brother dead before his own birth.
- And stared at the shadowed sand mounds.
- Nothing was as permanent.
- He turned and looked across the cemetery.
- His father had said the white dog would be there.
- To look for the white dog at sunrise.
- His father had said the white dog was his mother.
- His father was wrong; there was no white dog at the cemetery.
- Suddenly, a chill struck his neck and raced across his shoulders.
- He could feel his heart racing.
- His eyes scanning the cemetery.
- James walked into the plot, between the grave mounds of his mother and father, and he knelt.
- Then he saw them.
- Across the chest of sand on the grave of Robert Samuel Peek.
- He saw the paw prints.
- Prints so light that they could have been made by air.
Practice 3
Identify any fragments in the following "sentences." Keep in mind that a sentence must have a subject, have a verb, and express a complete thought.
Remember that the "ing" form of a verb is not a true verb unless it is preceded by a helping verb.
Remember that the "to" form of the verb (the infinitive) is not a verb.
- If you understand what a fragment is.
- Understanding, however, does not always come easily.
- Taking the time to practice.
- Studying long hours and seeking feedback from instructors and tutors.
- To understand fragments is my goal.
- Wanting to understand, but not able.
- Since this sentence begins with a subordinate conjunction.
- It might be a fragment.
- For example, blueberry muffins with plenty of hot butter.
- Driving down the road late one Sunday afternoon.
- Seeing the Northern Lights for the first time in my life.
- Second, the folks that drive while asleep.
- Third, the blind-blinkers.
- Finally, the folks that never use their turn signals.
- All of these drivers annoy me.
Practice 5
Identify any fragments in the following "sentences." Keep in mind that a sentence must have a subject, have a verb, and express a complete thought.
Remember that the "ing" form of a verb is not a true verb unless it is preceded by a helping verb.
Remember that the "to" form of the verb (the infinitive) is not a verb.
- February, a great day in the history of Dalton State College.
- The announcement of the return of intercollegiate athletics.
- Because our students say athletics is important.
- Voting for an athletics fee to improve campus life for future students.
- Wanting to participate in the full college experience.
- Derek Waugh will be the college's new athletics director.
- Launching men's and women's teams at the same time.
- Although I enjoy college sports.
- Dalton State's mission is to provide broad access to quality higher education for the population of Northwest Georgia.
- Dalton State's QEP title is "Getting on the 'Write Path.'"
References
- Dr. Mary Nielsen, Dean of the Dalton State College School of Liberal Arts.