Avoiding Sentence Fragments

Getting Your Sentences Right!

Because my cat loves it. (so what ?)

Since he came to New York. (what has been doing?)

Before you see me. (what will happen?)

The boy with the blue jeans.(what about him?)

These have incomplete ideas and end too quickly. They are called sentence fragments.

Sentence fragment

Sentence fragment is a part of a sentence, not a complete sentence. It is a fragment because it lacks a subject or a verb and/or does not have a complete idea.

A sentence fragment consists of one or all of the following:1.Dependent Clause

Because I was quite busy.2. Phrase

I like ice cream. Especially chocolate. 3. Word

Finally, schools.

Example # 1:

The increase in the cost of renting a house.

The cost of renting a house has increased.

It is missing a main verb

Example # 2:

After he finishes work.

After he finishes work, he will meet his friend at the café.

It is a dependent clause only

Example # 3:

Walking in the park alone this morning

I was walking in the park alone this morning.

Walking in the park alone this morning, I felt so refreshed and energized.

It is a participle phrase only

Example # 4:

Second, pollution.

Second, pollution is harmful to both people and the environment.

It is one word only, not a complete sentence

Example # 5:

To visit Cairo during summer.

To visit Cairo during summer can be very exhausting. It can be very exhausting to visit Cairo during

summer.

This is infinitive phrase, not a complete sentence

1. Decide if it is a fragment or a sentence and correct the fragments

1. Before I learned to speak English well.

2. Every night, after I finish my homework.

3. As soon as we heard the crash.

4. The bicycle racers stopped to rest before they started up the mountain.

5. Wait until you hear the bell.

6. Whenever my children have a school holiday.

7. I work at night while my husband stays home with the children.

2. Correct the following sentence fragments:

1. Hundreds of people in the streets.

2. If your parents think you are not doing your homework.

3. Having no money and being lonely in the city.

4. When you drive in the city during the evening rush hour.

5. To apply for a job at the new store in the mall.

6. As soon as Frank found out how expensive the cleaning job would be.

7. Many customers coming back three or four times over the summer.

8. Having very little time for anything else.

9. Because she didn't want to tell where she had bought the strange shirt.

10. For example, in the restaurant.

My mother’s cousin owned a hotel, and I worked there as a young woman. I enjoyed doing this work very much. Met many interesting people. One time a family came to stay in the hotel. They a daughter and she was my age. often met and talked about our lives. I invited her to my house to meet my family. We shared our customs with her. Later my mother told me something unforgettable. She said, “I know that you are going to live in America.” My mother a very smart woman, and she was right. I came to America to search for my friend. I still looking.

My mother’s cousin owned a hotel, and I worked there as a young woman. I enjoyed doing this work very much. Met many interesting people. One time a family came to stay in the hotel. They a daughter and she was my age. often met and talked about our lives. I invited her to my house to meet my family. We shared our customs with her. Later my mother told me something unforgettable. She said, “I know that you are going to live in America.” My mother a very smart woman, and she was right. I came to America to search for my friend. I still looking.

After I had gotten up. I ate my breakfast. While I was eating breakfast. I heard a squeaking sound at my door. It was a little kitten that was crying. It was really cute. I picked her up and took her inside and gave her a big bowl of warm milk and a soft blanket. I took the day off so that I could take her to the vet. The vet told me she was fine. Because I had given her what she needed: milk and a warm blanket. She still needed a home.  I asked all my friends to take her. They all wanted the little kitten. However, couldn't keep pets in their apartments. Now, she is my pet and friend.

After I had gotten up. I ate my breakfast. While I was eating breakfast.  I heard a squeaking sound at my door.  It was a little kitten that was crying. It was really cute. I picked her up and took her inside and gave her a big bowl of warm milk and a soft blanket. I took the day off so that I could take her to the vet. The vet told me she was fine. Because I had given her what she needed: milk and a warm blanket. She still needed a home.  I asked all my friends to take her. They all wanted the little kitten. However, couldn't keep pets in their apartments. Now, she is my pet and friend.