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Prepared by Prepared by Professors Paul HarrisProfessors Paul Harris

& Rita Perkins & Rita Perkins

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A A sentence fragmentsentence fragment is a group of words is a group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but is not that is punctuated as a sentence but is not grammatically correct.grammatically correct.

A sentence fragment may lack a subject, a A sentence fragment may lack a subject, a verb, or an independent clause.verb, or an independent clause.– The wind velocity in hurricanes and The wind velocity in hurricanes and

monsoons.monsoons.– The winds raging in hurricanes The winds raging in hurricanes

and monsoons.and monsoons.

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Locate the subject.Locate the subject. Locate the verb.Locate the verb.– Inspires many poets and song writers. Inspires many poets and song writers.

(This lacks a subject.)(This lacks a subject.)– The pleasant weather of May. The pleasant weather of May. (This lacks (This lacks

a verb.)a verb.)

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Verb phrase:Verb phrase:– To take advantage of sunlight in To take advantage of sunlight in

photography.photography. Prepositional phrase:Prepositional phrase:– Within the eye of the hurricane.Within the eye of the hurricane.

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Noun phrase:Noun phrase:– Various theories for weather Various theories for weather

forecasting.forecasting. Appositive phrase:Appositive phrase:– One popular weather topic, el Nino.One popular weather topic, el Nino.

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A clause that begins with a A clause that begins with a subordinator (or dependent word) is subordinator (or dependent word) is a dependent clause.a dependent clause.

These examples These examples are notare not independent independent clauses.clauses.

• If a tornado sweeps across the plains.If a tornado sweeps across the plains.• Because snow is beautiful in the Because snow is beautiful in the

moonlight.moonlight.

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Look for Look for relative pronounsrelative pronouns.. Relative pronounsRelative pronouns introduce clauses that introduce clauses that

modify nouns or pronouns (who, which, modify nouns or pronouns (who, which, that).that).– The instructor who argued against class The instructor who argued against class

cancellations for snow.cancellations for snow. Revised:Revised:The instructor who argued The instructor who argued

against class cancellations for snow was against class cancellations for snow was very unrealistic.very unrealistic.

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Although relative clause fragments have Although relative clause fragments have both a subject and a verb, they cannot both a subject and a verb, they cannot stand alone.stand alone.– Bob who intends to buy a small tractor Bob who intends to buy a small tractor

and a plow.and a plow. Revised:Revised: Bob, who intends to buy a small Bob, who intends to buy a small

tractor and a plow, thinks he will earn tractor and a plow, thinks he will earn money removing snow this winter.money removing snow this winter.

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Combine the fragment with the sentence that Combine the fragment with the sentence that precedes it or with the sentence that follows precedes it or with the sentence that follows it.it.– Dramatic weather conditions do not Dramatic weather conditions do not

always cause disasters. But at times always cause disasters. But at times create beautiful situations as well.create beautiful situations as well.

– Correction:Correction: Dramatic weather conditions do Dramatic weather conditions do not always cause disasters but at times not always cause disasters but at times create beautiful situations.create beautiful situations.

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The jet stream can pull cold air down The jet stream can pull cold air down from Canada. Or bring warm air up from Canada. Or bring warm air up from Mexico.from Mexico.

The jet stream can pull cold air down The jet stream can pull cold air down from Canada or bring warm air up from Canada or bring warm air up from Mexico.from Mexico.

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Dependent clause fragments begin Dependent clause fragments begin with a subordinating conjunction with a subordinating conjunction (because, since, before).(because, since, before).

Although air traffic controllers Although air traffic controllers regulate flight patterns.regulate flight patterns.– Corrected: Although air traffic Corrected: Although air traffic

controllers regulate traffic patterns, they controllers regulate traffic patterns, they cannot control the weather.cannot control the weather.

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Be aware of situations that can lead to Be aware of situations that can lead to sentence fragments.sentence fragments.– Examine a sentence that begins with a Examine a sentence that begins with a

subordinating word.subordinating word.• Because hail fell on the peach blossoms.Because hail fell on the peach blossoms.

– Carefully select transitional words or Carefully select transitional words or phrases which introduce examples or a list.phrases which introduce examples or a list.• For example, floods, hurricanes, and For example, floods, hurricanes, and

tornadoes.tornadoes.

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

My Aunt MarieMy Aunt Mariebeing a good being a good cookcook.

FragmentFragment

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

She can spend She can spend hours readinghours readinga cook book.a cook book.CorrectCorrect

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

Although sheAlthough she says that shesays that she doesn’tdoesn’tlike to read.like to read.

Fragment

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

Special dessertsSpecial dessertssuch as pecan pies,such as pecan pies,chocolate cheesecakes,chocolate cheesecakes,and pumpkin cake and pumpkin cake roll.roll.

Fragment

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

Aunt Marie’s Aunt Marie’s desserts are notdesserts are notfor those who are for those who are watching their diet.watching their diet.

CorrectCorrect

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

Filled with cream and Filled with cream and sugar, these delicacies sugar, these delicacies contain hundredscontain hundredsof calories.of calories.

CorrectCorrect

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

It often seems It often seems that any food that any food item that tastesitem that tastesgood is fattening.good is fattening.

CorrectCorrect

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Decide whether each sentenceDecide whether each sentencegroup is a correct sentence orgroup is a correct sentence orif it is a sentence fragment.if it is a sentence fragment.

For example,For example,ice cream and ice cream and chocolate cake.chocolate cake.Fragment

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Any Any Questions?Questions?