Sentence Fragments
A complete sentence consists of what TWO major components?
Subject and predicate.
What is a run-on sentence?
Two or more sentences that have been incorrectly written as one sentence without proper punctuation or other words to help separate them.
Why do we want to shorten our sentences sometimes?
To get straight to the point. Otherwise, our readers may get bored/confused by all of the extra words and information.
What is the definition of a sentence fragment?
An incomplete sentence or thought that is missing either a subject or a predicate, or both.
Why should we not use run-on sentences?
The sentence is grammatically incorrect. And sometimes, it just does not make any sense. It makes the writing hard for the reader to understand.
What should we keep in our sentences when we are trying to shorten them?
We should only include what is essential to the point that we are trying to make.
Which of these 3 sentences is a fragment? How do you know?
1) I'm looking forward to the camping trip .
2) Elle ran to the grocery store in hopes that she would make it before it closed.
3) Because of the heavy, pitter-patter of the rain.
#3 because it only consists of a subject and no predicate.
1) Separating the run-on sentence into two sentences.
2) Separating the two sentences by adding a comma and a conjunction.
TWO-PART QUESTION:
1) What does it mean to use an active voice?
2) Shorten the following sentence using an ACTIVE voice:
"The Science Fair project was completed by the student himself."
1) Using an active voice means changing the format of your sentence so that the subject comes before the verb.
2) The student completed the Science Fair project himself.
Read the following sentence fragment. Determine what is missing to make it a complete sentence, then correct the sentence:
"At nighttime."
It is missing a subject AND a predicate.
Example of a correction:
"At nighttime, the family decided to have game night by playing Scrabble, Monopoly, and Charades."
Which of these 3 sentences is a run-on? How do you know? And how could you fix it?
1) I'm looking forward to the camping trip, it sounds like a lot fun.
2) Adir couldn't see through the thick fog on the shoreline, which ruined his plans to sightsee.
3) Because of the heavy rain, Eliana decided to stay home that day.
#1 is the run-on because there is only a comma connecting the two complete sentences/thoughts.
You can fix it by:
a) "I'm looking forward to the camping trip. It sounds like a lot fun."
b) "I'm looking forward to the camping trip, for it sounds like a lot fun."
Name the THREE ways to shorten sentences.
1) Eliminate unnecessary repetition.
2) Replace a group of words with fewer words (ideally, just one word!)
3) Use an ACTIVE voice.