Module 1: Sentences and Fragments

Posted by: Carlo A. Sangutan

Sources:  English Plus A Communicative Approach by Ida Yap Patron

                 www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/fragments.html

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This module intends to let the students:

• identify sentence fragments, run-on sentences and complete sentences;
• correct run-on sentences as well as transform fragments into sensible sentences; and
• construct complete sentences out of the given fragments

Introduction

       Every language has its own grammar. Since we are now tackling English language, we must know how its grammar differs from others and how it works in giving information. As a college student, you should know the English grammar such as identifying sentences and fragments.

Language Focused

        A sentence is a grammatical unit that is composed of one or more clauses. It expresses a complete thought. It has the two parts: the subject and the predicate.

Examples:

       Sheila went to the market.

               ---> Sheila (subject) and went to the market (predicate)

       They buy four boxes for their projects.

                ---> They (subject) and buy four boxes for their projects (predicate)

       Any group of words that is not expressing a complete thought is called sentence fragments. It may only have the subject alone without the predicate or vice versa (the predicate alone without the subject).

Examples:

       The store owner (subject alone)

       Drives the car slowly (predicate alone)

Q: Are phrases sentence fragments?

       Actually, a phrase is a group of words functioning as a single syntax of a sentence. It means that it is only a part of a sentence. A sentence fragment is  also called phrases. Some sentence fragments have both the subject and predicate but they don't have the complete thought like of the phrases.

Q: What makes phrases different from complete sentences?

       Phrases don't express a complete idea. They are only part of the complete sentences. Again, a complete sentence has a subject, a predicate, and expresses a complete thought. It begins with a capital letter and ends with any of the following punctuation marks: a period(.), an exclamation point(!), or a question mark(?). A period is used for declarative and imperative sentences; an exclamation point for an exclamatory sentences and a question mark for an interrogative sentences.

Q: There are also what we call "run-on" sentences. What are they?

       Run-on sentences are sentences consisting two or more sentences written as one sentence.


Example:
       Women during the Spanish times had no voice they were considered second-class citizens.


(The example given consists of two sentences in one statement.)


The sentences are:
       Women during the Spanish times had no voice.
       They were considered second-class citizens.

Test of Learning

      I. Write SF if the given statement is a sentence fragment, RN for a run-on sentence, and CS if it is a complete sentence.


___1. Jusepe Chua was a Chinese from Amoy his wife, Maria Rhodora Rodriguez was a Filipina
___2. Baptized on November 5, 1972 at Holy Trinity Church
___3. The place for converted Chinese
___4. She grew up in Talamban, Cebu City
___5. By helping others in need
___6. It seemed that marriage
___7. The way they lived never caused any gossip
___8. They gave them Christian education they gave them shelter they gave them retreats
___9. They had a special concern for women
___10. I love my pet I also love my parents


    II. Correct the run-on sentences by separating two or more ideas with a period. Make them into complete sentences.


1. The approval became a landmark in the Philippines it is characterized by racial discrimination.
2. The role of women in the past cannot be ignored they were prime movers of social change they also fought for freedom.
3. Rheena is studying in a technological university she is responsible in her studies.
4. The group adopted the name "Highlanders" they frequently visited the church of St. Peter.
5. Frank loves to eat fruits and vegetables he likes to sleep on a soft bed he wants to travel around the world.