Fragment2 A group of words that does not have the three requirements for a complete sentence is called a fragment or sentence fragment. A group of words can be very short and still be a complete sentence or very long and still be a fragment. In the writing you do on your own and on the Language Arts, Writing Test, a fragment is an error that needs to be corrected.
Let’s look at some examples. See if you can tell which groups of words are sentences and which are fragments. Write S or F on the line for each.
F Leaving the office at noon . S The customer will be helped immediately. S This apartment has been rented. F The old graying dentist. Did you write an F for fragment in the first and last word group? The first group is missing a subject. Who is leaving the office at noon? The last group does not have a predicate. It does not tell you what the dentist did. The other two word groups are sentences. They have all three elements of a complete sentence. Directions: One group of words in each pair is a sentence and one is a fragment. Write S or F on the appropriate line for each. Example: S Working six days a week is hard on George. F Working six days a week and getting tired. 1. F Time on our hands. S We have time on our hands.
2. S The overtired baseball team next to the bus. F The overtired baseball team next to the bus.
3. F While you were sleeping on the couch. S While you were sleeping. We took your picture.
4. F The mileage on your car. S The mileage on your car is low.
5. S Tom works at the front desk. F Tom at the front desk of the hotel.
6. F The idea you had. S The idea sounds good. |