 For Authors: July 06, 2011 Issue [#4483] |
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This week: Avoid Stumbling over Sentence Fragments Edited by: Vivian  
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An important part of writing well is to have sentences that are clear. Foggy sentences lose readers.
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Avoid Stumbling over Sentence Fragments
When sentences are not correct, are not finely tuned, the quality and clarity of communication is lost. One way to keep sentences from working is for readers to stumble over sentence fragments. A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated as a sentence but which lacks a subject, a verb, or both, and/or which doesn’t contain a complete thought.
Let’s examine the following paragraph to discover some sentence fragments:
Intrepid mountain climbers scaling a tall peak. Climb higher and higher. Up the frozen slopes. When they reach the top. They can look forward to an even more treacherous descent.
All of the sentence-like-punctuated groups of words in the preceding are fragments except the last. We will keep the paragraph in mind as we look at some ways to correct sentence fragments.
Sometimes a fragment lacks a subject. Therefore, adding a subject makes the fragment a sentence.
Fragment without a subject: Climb higher and higher.
Sentence: They climb higher and higher.
Another way to correct a sentence fragment would be to connect the fragment with a sentence, rewording it if necessary.
Fragment without subject or verb: Up the frozen slopes.
Sentence: They climb higher and higher up the frozen slopes.
At times a fragment lacks a verb, perhaps using a verbal or verb without a helping verb. The way to correct this type sentence fragment would be to add a verb or change a verbal to a verb.
Fragment without a verb: Intrepid mountain climbers scaling a tall peak.
Sentence by adding a helping verb: Intrepid mountain climbers are scaling a tall peak.
Sentence by changing a verbal to a verb: Intrepid mountain climbers scale a tall peak.
At times, a fragment has a subject and verb but doesn’t contain a complete thought. To create a correct sentence, usually the fragment will need to be connected to a sentence.
Fragment lacking a complete thought: When they reach the top.
Sentence: When they reach the top, they can look forward to an even more treacherous descent.
Now let’s see how the original paragraph filled with fragments can be a correctly formatted paragraph.
Intrepid mountain climbers scale a tall peak. They climb higher and higher up the frozen slopes. When they reach the top, they can look forward to an even more treacherous descent.
A side note, sometimes writers will use an occasional sentence fragment for effect, but only occasionally. The effect is easily recognized by the reader when this practice is used. Otherwise, avoiding the problem is best.
Finally, once we conquer the problem, we have no more stumbles because of sentences fragments, which could be dangerous on steep, frozen slopes.
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Words from Our Readers
Last month's issue concerned grammar. Some readers were glad to be reminded or to learn how to correct their grammar. Some, I'm not sure what they mean.
boohat 
If we can 'say' it corrctly why can't we 'write' it correctly? I just wonder? And I wonder if poeple reallly are saying it correctly, I still wonder. But, thank you, much.
Most people don't talk (say) the same way they write usually. We write a bit more formally, and usually we check our spelling when we write. However, some people think it's funny to ridicule correct grammar in writing or in speech. I'm not sure which you are doing. P.S. I did not change your wording or your spelling, left it as you wrote it.
SinfulAngel39
Thank you. After reading this issue I think I have a better grasp of the grammar part of my writing. I will keep this issue for future reference.
Zeke 
This discussion about noun verb agreement was very helpful. I trust there are other parts of your training just as good.
Philip Roberts
10 years ago on the ABC news, a reporter said, "The truck's load of bottles and cans were scattered across the highway." She was confused by the plural modifier, "bottles and cans". Clearly the noun "load" is singular, so it should be "...was scattered..."
Some of the errors by news reporters, especially on television, are horrendous, and getting worse as time passes.
billwilcox
Aww, Teach...you're the best  . *puts a small red apple on Viv's desk*
-Bill
Thanks, Bill.
Thank you for joining me this issue. Hope everyone gained some help.
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