14.4: Fragment

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.

1. Martha Stewart not dining with us this Thanksgiving.
2. I'm telling you in advance.
3. So don't act surprised.
4. Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming.
5. I've made a few small changes.
6. Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade paper bag luminaries.
7. After a trial run.
8. It was decided that, no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.
9. 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.
10. Instead, I've gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard.
11. The mud was their idea.
12. The dining table not covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets.
13. However, since this is Thanksgiving.
14. We will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

Answer

Fragment - Practice 1 Answer Key

 

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.

1. On the day after his father was buried.
2. James drove to the cemetery in the pink-blue glaze of dawn.
3. The plot was still crowded with wreaths of flowers.
4. Flowers with bright, colorful faces and ribbon sashes.
5. And the white, mica-sand covering of the ground was pockmarked where people had stood for the gravesite services.
6. And where chairs had been placed for the family.
7. James stood at the foot of the graves of his parents and his brother.
8. A brother he had not known.
9. A brother dead before his own birth.
10. And stared at the shadowed sand mounds.
11. Nothing was as permanent.
12. He turned and looked across the cemetery.
13. His father had said the white dog would be there.
14. To look for the white dog at sunrise.
15. His father had said the white dog was his mother.
16. His father was wrong; there was no white dog at the cemetery.
17. Suddenly, a chill struck his neck and raced across his shoulders.
18. He could feel his heart racing.
19. His eyes scanning the cemetery.
20. James walked into the plot, between the grave mounds of his mother and father, and he knelt.
21. Then he saw them.
22. Across the chest of sand on the grave of Robert Samuel Peek.
23. He saw the paw prints.
24. Prints so light that they could have been made by air.

Answer

Fragment - Practice 2 Answer Key

 

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.

1. If you understand what a fragment is.
2. Understanding, however, does not always come easily.
3. Taking the time to practice.
4. Studying long hours and seeking feedback from instructors and tutors.
5. To understand fragments is my goal.
6. Wanting to understand, but not able.
7. Since this sentence begins with a subordinate conjunction.
8. It might be a fragment.
9. For example, blueberry muffins with plenty of hot butter.
10. Driving down the road late one Sunday afternoon.
11. Seeing the Northern Lights for the first time in my life.
12. Second, the folks that drive while asleep.
13. Third, the blind-blinkers.
14. Finally, the folks that never use their turn signals.
15. All of these drivers annoy me.

Answer

Fragment - Practice 3 Answer Key

 

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.

1. February, a great day in the history of Dalton State College.
2. The announcement of the return of intercollegiate athletics.
3. Because our students say athletics is important.
4. Voting for an athletics fee to improve campus life for future students.
5. Wanting to participate in the full college experience.
6. Derek Waugh will be the college's new athletics director.
7. Launching men's and women's teams at the same time.
8. Although I enjoy college sports.
9. Dalton State's mission is to provide broad access to quality higher education for the population of Northwest Georgia.
10. Dalton State's QEP title is "Getting on the 'Write Path.'"

Answer

Fragment - Practice 4 Answer Key

References

• Dr. Mary Nielsen, Dean of the Dalton State College School of Liberal Arts.