Fragments

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Sentence Structures Simple sentences Compound sentences Complex sentences

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Simple Sentences These contain a main independent clause Travelling to outer space is possible.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Compound Sentences Independent Clause + Coordinator + Independent Clause (i.e. at least two independent clauses) Travelling to outer space is possible but not many can afford it. Identify the independent clauses and the co-ordinator

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Compound Sentences Independent Clause + Coordinator + Independent Clause Travelling to outer space is possible but not many can afford it.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Complex Sentence 1 Independent Clause and at least 1 Subordinate Clause (in any order) Many people used to dream of travelling to outer space in the past when it was technologically impossible. When it was technologically impossible, many people used to dream of travelling to outer space in the past.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments A fragment is not a complete grammatical sentence. A complete sentence needs a subject in each independent and dependent clause. Although engineering feats have propelled mankind forward, they may also have caused a huge divide between the developed and the developing countries. (* fragment)

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments An it subject cannot be omitted from a clause. *Meteorologists currently find difficulty in predicting the weather because has been affected by global warming.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments An it subject cannot be omitted from a clause. Meteorologists currently find difficulty in predicting the weather because it has been affected by global warming.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments A clause needs a complete verb, with its auxilaries if any. Otherwise, it is a fragment. *The technicians been working on the project since last year.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments A clause needs a complete verb, with its auxilaries if any. The technicians have been working on the project since last year.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments A phrase (without a subject or a verb) is a fragment. The deadline for this project is drawing near. *To extend it. The deadline for this project is drawing near but we hope to extend it.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments A dependent clause always needs an independent clause to be a complete sentence. * While it appeared to be medically impossible to save the terminally ill. Stem cells seem to be a possible cure for some cancers.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Fragments While it appeared to be medically impossible to save the terminally ill, stem cells seem to be a possible cure for some cancers.

eg1471/jc/dec2008 Sources Lane, A. and Lange, E. (1999). Writing Clearly: An Editing Guide (2 nd ed.). Boston: Heinle and Heinle Publishers, Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. (2006). Writing Academic English (4 th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Raimes, A. (2006). Grammar Troublespots: A Guide for Student Writers (3 rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press,