1. Sentence Fragments

2. Agenda Definition Identifying Fragments Case 1:Missing Verb Case 2:Missing subject Case 3:Phrase or dependent clause Revising Clauses

3. Definition Subject + Verb = Sentence We have decoded the signals. subjectverbobject (optional) sentence

4. Definition Fragments are incomplete sentences! They do not express a complete thought. They lack either a subject, verb or a main clause. They frequently are dependent clauses.

5. Identifying Fragments Does the sentence have a verb? Does the sentence have a subject? Does the sentence have a dependent clause? Does the sentence have an independent clause? yes no yes

6. Missing Verb Missing parts of the verb: 1. an -ing ending without a helping verb Harry studying digital design. Harry is studying digital design. 2. an infinitive (to run, to go, to do, etc.) Jim to program a computer Jim is learning to program a computer verb The verb in one sentence is never part of the next sentence! Tim has many varied interests. Such as psychology, philosophy, and politics. Tim has many varied interests, such as psychology, philosophy, and politics.

7. Example: No verb or incomplete verb 1. The developers thinking about starting their own business. The developers are thinking about starting their own business. 2.Thinking the test had not run. Lauren ran it for a second time. Thinking the test had not run, Lauren ran it for a second time. 3. Ever since code freeze, change requests begun to come in. Ever since code freeze, change requests have begun to come in. verb

8. Missing Subject A complete sentence must have a subject. The program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time. Froze after startup and then crashed the operating system. 1. Connect the fragment to preceding sentence The program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time, froze after startup and then crashed the operating system. 2. Put a subject into the fragment The program’s defects were apparent as it ran for the first time. It froze after startup and then crashed the operating system. subject subject?

9. Example: No Subject 1.Surfs at that beach because of the large waves. My friend surfs at that beach because of the large waves. 2.She was very persistent. And called me about 18 times. She was very persistent. And she called me about 18 times. subject

10. Dependent and Independent Clauses Independent Clauses are sentences in themselves. Dependent Clauses are imcomplete sentences. They usually start with a transition word. Independent Clause I can solve this problem. Dependent Clause She asked me to help because I can solve this problem.

11. Dependent clause You may have a fragment if the sentence:  contains ONLY a dependent clause Since we had started the testing series.  begins with a subordinator (when, until, after, before, however, while, because, since, though, although, if, so that, so, and where). I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn’t working out too well.  begins with a relative pronoun (that, who, whose, whom, which, and when). Sam is our new manager. Whom Kelly had known since the third grade. Dependent clause

12. Revising Clauses Two basic strategies: 1. Combine the fragment with a related independent clause. We agree with your goals. Although we do not agree with your methods. Although we do not agree with your methods, we agree with your goals. 2. Rewrite the fragment so that it contains an independent clause. We agree with your goals. We do not, however, agree with your methods.

13. Exercise: Rewrite the following paragraph, correcting the fragments. The team started the season with skill and style. Determined to prove to all the noisy critics. That the new school could make the playoffs. Even in the big, tougher league. But in the past few weeks, something going wrong. The trainer is worried. Because the players gaining so much weight on their tours. Eating all those steaks and drinking too much beer. Whatever they crave. Like snacks, ice cream, or junk food. Losing their self-discipline. The coach getting pretty angry, too. Especially after that great pep talk of his that should have inspired the team. He really disgusted during the last game When they were so sluggish. Which was hard to believe. That they could have fallen so far so fast.

14. Answer to exercise The team started the season with skill and style, determined to prove to all the noisy critics that the new school could make the playoffs even in the big, tougher league. But in the past few weeks, something has been going wrong. The trainer is worried because the players have been gaining so much weight on their tours by eating all those steaks and drinking too much beer. They eat whatever they crave, like snacks, ice cream, or junk food. They are losing their self- discipline. The coach is getting pretty angry, too, especially after that great pep talk of his that should have inspired the team. He was really disgusted during the last game, when they were so sluggish. It was hard to believe that they could have fallen so far so fast.

15. More information Now, please read http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/sensen/part2/eight/index.html More information can be found here: http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/fragments.htm

16. Sentence Fragments: Quiz Please take the Sentence Fragments Quiz on WebCT now.