Sentence fragments:

New Topic: All about sentence fragments:


Sentences are like the infrastructures basic to a city’s needs. When sentences are not in good working order, communication may grind to a halt.

A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated like a sentence, but does not express a complete thought. To correct a fragment, you can add information to complete the thought or combine the fragment with a nearby sentence.

Problem 1:      A fragment that lacks a subject

Error:               Students tried out for different roles. Wanted to play the part of Scrooge or one of the ghosts.

Revision:         Students tried out for different roles. Many wanted to play the part of Scrooge or one of the ghosts. (Add a subject to make the fragment a complete sentence.)

Revision:         Students tried out for different roles, such as the part of Scrooge or one of the ghosts. (Combine the fragment with a sentence.)

Problem 2:      A fragment that lacks a verb.

Error:               Several of my friends chose to be on the tech crew. The group in charge of scenery, lighting and props.

Revision:         Several of my friends chose to be on the tech crew.

The group is in charge of scenery, lighting, and props.

(Make the fragment a sentence by adding a verb.)

Or

Revision:         Several of my friends chose to be on the tech crew, the group in charge of scenery, lighting, and props.

                        (Combine the fragment with a sentence.)

Error:               Auditions began after school. Students sitting eagerly in the auditorium.

Revision:         auditions began after school. Students were sitting eagerly in the auditorium.

                        (Add a verb to the fragment.)

Problem 3:      A fragment that is a subordinate clause

Error:               After everyone had read a passage. Our director announced his casting decisions.

Revision:         After everyone had read a passage, our director announced his casting decisions.

                        (Combine the fragment with another sentence.)

                       

Or       

Revision:         Everyone read a passage. Our director then announced his casting decisions.

                        (Rewrite the fragment as a sentence.)

Problem 4:      A fragment that lacks both a subject and verb

Error:               Our schedule is going to be hectic. With only three weeks of rehearsals before the first performance.

Revision:         With only three weeks of rehearsals before the first performance, our schedule is going to be hectic.

                        (Combine the fragment with a sentence.)