Fragments 9/17/2013. F: Subordinate Clause Fragments. (F) Fragment: Key Concepts. F: Subordinate Clause Fragments. F: Common Types of Fragments

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1 (F) Fragment: Key Concepts Missing an essential part of the To correct a sentence fragment, rewrite or repunctuate the sentence to make it a complete sentence. Every fragment can be fixed by either 1) revising the fragment so that it has an independent clause or 2) connecting the fragment to an independent clause that comes before or after it. F: Subordinate Clause Fragments A subordinate (dependent) clause fragment will begin with a It will also contain a subject and a verb. Unfortunately, this combination of words will not express a complete thought by itself. Think of the problem like this: At work, there are bosses and their employees, also known as subordinates. When the bosses aren't directly supervising, many subordinates goof off. In a sentence, the independent clause is the boss. If the boss is absent, the subordinate clause goofs off, and the job doesn't get done. Sub + Verb + Complete Thought = Complete Sentence F: Common Types of Fragments Fragments Ex: Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra. Fragments Ex: Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp. Fragments Ex: To catch butterflies for her biology project F: Subordinate Clause Fragments Examples of Subordinate Fragments: Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra. Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe. Even though Fred stuck straws up his nose. F: Subordinate Clause Fragments HOW TO fix Subordinate Fragments: Option 1: Remove the Subordinate Conjunction Incorrect: Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra. Correct: 1

2 F: Subordinate Clause Fragment F: Subordinate Clause Fragment Common Subordinate Conjunctions after although as because before even if even though if in order that once provided that since so [that implied] so that than that though unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether which whichever while who whoever whom whomever whose HOW TO fix Subordinate Fragments: Option 2: Connect the subordinate clause to an independent clause near it. Incorrect: Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra. Correct: Subordinate Clause Fragment Practice Fix the following fragments using Option Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe. 2. Even though Fred stuck straws up his nose. 3. Because she wanted the new car. 4. Wherever the wind blows. F: Subordinate Clause Fragment Punctuation Reminder! When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, it is separated from the independent clause with a. Do not use a comma when the subordinate clause comes the independent clause. Do you see what I did there? Subordinate Clause Fragment Practice Fix the following fragments using Option Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe. 2. Even though Fred stuck straws up his nose. 3. Because she wanted the new car. 4. Wherever the wind blows. 2

3 A participle phrase fragment will begin with a word ending in or, or the fragment will open with an irregular verb past participle. More words will follow to finish the phrase, but will you find an to complete the thought. Common Linking Verbs (and combinations of these) am is are was were be been being can be could be may be might be should be would be shall/will be has/had been shall/will have been become appear seem look smell sound taste feel Sensory Linking Verbs Note: linking verb / action verb The pie looked delicious. / John looked at the pie. The pie tasted delicious. / John tasted the delicious pie. The flower smelled sweet. / John smelled the sweet flower. The sun felt wonderful. / She felt the sharp blade of the knife. Examples of Participle Phrase Fragments: Sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk. Twirling the baton with the speed and ferocity of helicopter blades. Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp. Participial Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following participial phrase fragments using Option Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of mismatched socks. 2. Running around in circles. 3. Forced to study for the English test all night. HOW TO fix Participle Phrase Fragments: Option 1: Add a subject with a linking verb (forms of to be and sensory linking verbs) Incorrect: Sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk. Correct: 3

4 HOW TO fix Participle Phrase Fragments: Option 2: Attach a participle phrase fragment after an independent clause, using a comma to separate the independent clause from the participial phase. Correct: The majorette marched at the front of the parade, all the while twirling her batons with the speed and ferocity of helicopter blades. HOW TO fix Participle Phrase Fragments Option 3: Separating it with a comma, the participle phrase introduces the independent clause. Correct: Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp, the dirty bath water drained from the tub. PUNCTUATION REMINDER! A participial phrase is set off with commas when it a) comes at the of a sentence b) a sentence as a element c) comes at the of a sentence AND is from the word it modifies. Participial Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following participial phrase fragments using Option Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of mismatched socks. 2. Running around in circles. 3. Forced to study for the English test all night. Participial Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following participial phrase fragments using Option Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of mismatched socks. 2. Running around in circles. 3. Forced to study for the English test all night. 4

5 An infinitive phrase fragment will begin with to followed by the base form of the verb, like this: to + verb = infinitive Ex: to run, to love, to be Although more words will follow to finish the phrase, you will not find an independent clause to finish the thought. An infinitive phrase by itself cannot be a sentence. Infinitive Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following Infinitive Phrase Fragments using Options 3: 1. To catch butterflies for her biology project. 2. To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands. Look for the to + verb as your marker for this type of fragment. Examples of Infinitive Phrase Fragments: Only to watch in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink. To catch butterflies for her biology project. To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands. HOW TO fix Infinitive Phrase Fragments Option 1: Convert an infinitive phrase fragment into a sentence by adding a subject and conjugating the verb. Incorrect: Only to watch in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink. [Who is involved/watching?] Correct: Amber watched in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink. 5

6 HOW TO fix Infinitive Phrase Fragments Option 2: Attach an infinitive phrase fragment after an independent clause. (No comma needed!) Incorrect: To catch butterflies for her biology project. Correct: Jossie enlisted the help of several spiders to catch butterflies for her biology project. HOW TO fix Infinitive Phrase Fragments: Option 3: To use an infinitive phrase to introduce the independent clause, be sure to separate the phrase from the independent clause with a comma. Incorrect: To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands. Correct: To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands, Daniel followed his karate teacher's advice and focused power. Infinitive Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following Infinitive Phrase Fragments using Options 2: Infinitive Phrase Fragment Practice Fix the following Infinitive Phrase Fragments using Options 3: 1. Only to watch in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink. 2. To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands. 1. Only to watch in dismay as Dr. Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink. 2. To catch butterflies for her biology project. 6