Virtual University ENG 101Lesson -24

Dr.Surriya Shaffi Mir

In earlier lessons we have been exploring ways of writing more effective sentences. In today’s lesson we will look at the errors we all make and how to revise these errors.

Let us begin……………..

Lesson 24 - Sentence Errors to be Avoided

Having considered the general elements which make for effectiveness in sentences, we will now take up four common errors in sentence construction. These errors should be avoided by all who write in English. These errors are:

i Sentence Fragmentsii Run-on sentences

(a) fused sentences (b) comma spliceiii Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Sentence Fragments

We said that a sentence is a group of words that must contain a subject and a verb. It must also express one complete thought. Therefore a number of ideas must not be huddled together in a simple unit. Now a sentence fragment, as the phrase tells you, is less than a sentence - it is a fragment because it lacks a subject or a verb or because it does not express a complete thought. The following are samples of fragments.

Today’s lesson sentence fragments only

- My neighbour being a typical businessman who prides himself on his efficiency.

- Because there are two computers on his desk.

The writer of these incomplete statements apparently forgot that a sentence must express a complete thought. You might say that professional writers-novelists, short story writers use incomplete sentences, but if you look closely you will see that their fragments convey complete thoughts and they convey them immediately.

- My neighbour being a typical businessman who prides himself on his efficiency.

- Because there are two computers on his desk.

Besides, they are professional writers and you are a beginner learning to write! We shall now look at the most common types of sentences fragments:

1. The dependent word fragment

2. -ing and to fragments

3. Added-detail fragments

4. Missing-subject fragments.

I. Dependent Word Fragments

Some fragments contain a subject and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought e.g - Since Ami was tired.- When the postman arrived.- After I had switched off the light.

All three e.g.s begin with dependent words since, when, after. All three word-groups depend upon another statement to complete the thought. See if you can add words to each fragment that would complete the thought.

I. Dependent Word Fragments

Some fragments contain a subject and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought. e.g - Since Ami was tired.- When the postman arrived.- After I had switched off the light.

- Since Ami was tired, she took a nap.

- When the postman arrived, we handed him the letters.

- There was loud knocking on the front door after I had switched off the light.

When you begin a statement with a dependent word, take care that you follow through and complete the thought in the same sentence. Otherwise, a sentence fragment will result. Here is a list of common dependent words. You have already seen this list in the last lesson.

- Since Ami was tired, she took a nap.

- When the postman arrived, we handed him the letters.

- There was loud knocking on the front door after I had switched off the light.

After even if unless wherealthough as until whereverwhen if even though whetherbecause since whenever whilebefore though

Practice 1. Identify the part you think is not a complete sentence.

1. After the new department store opened. Several small shops went out of business. 2. The nurse pierced my arm four times with a syringe. Trying to take a blood sample.3. The old lady was trembling with excitement. As it was her first airplane ride. 4. The police cordoned off the area. Because there was a gas leak.5. The small child was always active. Running, jumping, climbing on chairs, dashing in and out of rooms.

Practice 1. Identify the part you think is not a complete sentence.

1. After the new department store opened. Several small shops went out of business.

2. The nurse pierced my arm four times with a syringe. Trying to take a blood sample.

3. The old lady was trembling with excitement. As it was her first airplane ride.

4. The police cordoned off the area. Because there was a gas leak.

5. The small child was always active. Running, jumping, climbing on chairs, dashing in and out of rooms.

Some dependent - word fragments begin with the word who, that, whose or which. e.g.

- Sarah had to clean up the mess. That the children left in the verandah.

- I passed the chemistry course. Which I had expected to fail.

- Yesterday I rant into a man. Who was my best friend in school.

This type of fragment is best corrected by attaching it to the sentence that comes before it.

- Sarah had to clean up the mess. That the children left in the verandah.

- I passed the chemistry course. Which I had expected to fail.

- Yesterday I rant into a man. Who was my best friend in school.

- Sarah had to clean up the mess that the children left in the verandah.

- I passed the chemistry course which I had expected to fail.

- Yesterday I rant into a man who was my best friend in school.

Practice 2: This practice will give you a sense of the difference between a dependent-word fragment and a complete sentence. Turn each fragment into a sentence by adding a statement that completes the thought.

1. When I rang the doorbell, the lights of the house went out.

2. Since I had forgotten my house keys, I had to break the door.

3. As I walked into the classroom, the fire alarm rang.

4. Unless her temperature goes down soon, we will have to consult a specialist.

5. Schools were closed yesterday because of the political rally.

1. When I rang the doorbell, ______________.

2. Since I had forgotten my house keys, ______________.

3. As I walked into the classroom, __________________.

4. Unless her temperature goes down soon, ____________.

5. Schools were closed yesterday, __________.

II. -Ing and To Fragments

(a) When a word ending in -ing appears at the beginning of a group of words a fragment may result. e.g.- Hoping to buy things cheaply. Poor people

often go the Sunday bazaars.Here the second statement is a complete sentence. But the first group of words lacks both a subject and a verb, so it is a fragment.(b) Here is an example of a to fragment.- The ladies jogged through the park. To lose

weight. There are two ways to correct -ing and to fragments.

(a)

- Hoping to buy things cheaply. Poor people often go the Sunday bazaars.

(b)

- The ladies jogged through the park. To lose weight.

There are two ways to correct -ing and to fragmentsa)Connect the fragment to the sentence it explains. e.g.- Hoping to buy things cheaply, poor people often go to the Sunday bazaar. Remember to put a comma after an-ing or a to word group that starts a sentence.b)Create a complete sentence by adding a subject and a verb to the fragment and revise the material as necessary. e.g. -Poor people often to the Sunday bazaar. They hope to buy things cheaply.- The ladies jogged through the park. They wanted to lose weight.

- Hoping to buy things cheaply, poor people often go to the Sunday bazaar.

-Poor people often to the Sunday bazaar. They hope to buy things cheaply.

- The ladies jogged through the park. They wanted to lose weight.

Practice 3:

First identify the -ing or to fragment in each of the following items. Then rewrite the correct version using one of the two methods just discussed.

1- Police officers stood all over the road. Directing traffic around the accident.

- Police officers stood all over the road. They were directing traffic around the accident.

Practice 3:

First identify the -ing or to fragment in each of the following items. Then rewrite the correct version using one of the two methods just discussed.

1- Police officers stood all over the road. Directing traffic around the accident.

2. Rising high into the sky. The huge yellow kite could be seen for miles.

- Rising high into the sky, the huge yellow kite could be seen for miles.

3. Sarah painted a landscape. To enter the contest.

- Sarah painted a landscape. She wanted to enter the contest.

4. To get off the diving board. The swimmer did a somersault.

-The swimmer wanted to get off the diving board. He did a somersault.

2. Rising high into the sky. The huge yellow kite could be seen for miles.

3. Sarah painted a landscape. To enter the contest.

4. To get off the diving board. The swimmer did a somersault.

III. Added-Detail Fragment

Another common kind of fragment begins with one of the following words: like, including, such as, for example, for instance, except, without, especially, and also. All these words introduce an additional point or example to what has already been stated. e.g.- Everyone enjoyed the feast. Except the fish.- We had to read several novels. Including ‘The Ice Age’.

III. Added-Detail Fragment

- Everyone enjoyed the feast. Except the fish.- We had to read several novels. Including ‘The Ice Age’.

- In each of these examples, the second word group lacks both a subject and a verb. Note that each of these fragments begins with an Added Detail word or phrase: except and including. To correct an Added Detail fragment you follow the same two methods as used for the last type of fragment -ing and to fragments. A. Add the fragment to the sentence it explains.B. Create a new sentence by adding a subject and verb to the fragment and revise the material as necessary.

Practice 4

Identify the added - detail fragment in each of the following items. Then write the correct version using one of the two methods given earlier. 1. The former playmates walked past one another. Without saying a word.- The former playmates walked past one another without saying a word. 2. For a main dish, I often serve meat and vegetables. For example, fish and spinach.- For a main dish, I often serve meat and vegetables. For example, I mix fish with spinach.

Practice 4

Identify the added - detail fragment in each of the following items then write the correct version using one of the two methods given earlier. 1. The former playmates walked past one another. Without saying a word.2. For a main dish, I often serve meat and vegetables. For example, fish and spinach.

3. The policeman searched the room for clues. Such as old photographs, old letters and old receipts.

- The policeman searched the room for clues such as old photographs, old letters and old receipts.

4. Oranges are full of nutrients. Especially vitamin C.

- Oranges are full of nutrients especially vitamin C.

3. The policeman searched the room for clues. Such as old photographs, old letters and old receipts.

4. Oranges are full of nutrients. Especially vitamin C.

IV Missing - Subject Fragments

Some word groups are fragments because, while they do have a verb, they lack a subject. e.g.

-The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But then had little money left over for food.

- The nurse held a smiling baby. Then posed for the photographers.

In each of the above examples the first statement is a complete sentence and second word group is a fragment.

IV Missing - Subject Fragments

-The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But then had little money left over for food.

- The nurse held a smiling baby. Then posed for the photographers.

Note that in each fragment the subject is missing. The first fragments omits the subject of the verb had and the second fragment omits the subject of the verb posed.

To correct a missing-subject fragment you again follow the same two methods that you used for the correction of the earlier types of fragments. (a) Connect the missing-subject fragment to the sentence that comes before it. Add a joining word if needed for a smooth connection as given in the examples that follow.

- The poor woman paid all her utility bills but had little money left for her food. - The nurse held a smiling baby and then posed for the photographers. OR

(b) Create new sentence by adding a subject to the fragment. Normally you will add a pronoun that stands for the subject of the previous sentence. - The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But she had little money left for her food. - The nurse held a smiling baby. Then she posed for the photographers.

(a) - The poor woman paid all her utility bills but had little money left for her food. - The nurse held a smiling baby and then posed for the photographers. OR

(b) - The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But she had little money left for her food. - The nurse held a smiling baby. Then she posed for the photographers.

Practice 5: Identify the missing subject-fragment in each of the following items. Then write the correct version using one of the two methods you have learned.

1. The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at the postman. And then went back to sleep.

- The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at the postman and then it went back to sleep.

2. Each morning, my secretary checks the answering machine for messages. Then opens the mail.

-Each morning, my secretary checks the answering machine for messages. Then she opens the mail.

Practice 5: Identify the missing subject-fragment in each of the following items. Then write the correct version using one of the two methods you have learned.

1. The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at the postman. And then went back to sleep.

2. Each morning, my secretary checks the answering machine for messages. Then opens the mail.

3. Maryam skipped her afternoon classes. And worked on a paper due the next morning.

- Maryam skipped her afternoon. Classes and she worked on a paper due the next morning.

4. The movie had melodious music and popular actors. Yet made little money at the box office.

-The movie had melodious and popular actors. Yet it made little money at the box office.

3. Maryam skipped her afternoon classes. And worked on a paper due the next morning.

4. The movie had melodious music and popular actors. Yet made little money at the box office.

Lesson Review

Answer each question by filling in the correct word/words in the blank space.

1. To be a sentence, a group of words must contain a subject and a verb and it must express a complete thought.

2. Words such as because, until and while are known as dependent words because word groups that begin with them depend on another statement to complete the thought.

Lesson Review

Answer each question by filling in the correct word/words in the blank space.

1. To be a sentence, a group of words must contain a subject and a ___________and it must express _______________________.

2. Words such as because, until and while are known as_____words because word groups that begin with them depend on another statement to complete the thought.

3. Fragments that begin with words such as like, especially, and for example are known as added- detail fragments.

4. One way to correct an added-detail fragment is to create a new sentence by adding a subject and verb to the fragment.

5. One way to correct a missing-subject fragment is to add a subject to the fragment.

3. Fragments that begin with words such as like, especially, and for example are known as _________fragments.

4. One way to correct an added-detail fragment is to create a new _______ by adding a subject and _________to the fragment.

5. One way to correct a missing-subject fragment is to add a _______ to the fragment.

Test Sentence Fragments

Rewrite the following. Correct any fragments.

1. We go to Murree Hills during the summer vacations. Whenever we can, of course.

- We go to Murree Hills during the summer vacations whenever we can, of course.

2. Our literary circle has only two officers. Miss Niazi being president and Mr. Awan being secretary treasure.

- Our literary circle has only two officers, Miss Niazi being president and Mr. Awan being secretary treasure.

Test Sentence Fragments

Rewrite the following. Correct any fragments.

1. We go to Murree Hills during the summer vacations. Whenever we can, of course.

2. Our literary circle has only two officers. Miss Niazi being president and Mr. Awan being secretary treasure.

3. Living in the city is not always pleasant. During the summer months particularly.

- Living in the city is not always pleasant, particularly during the summer months

4. He hated learning foreign languages. Latin, French and German especially.

- He hated learning foreign languages, especially Latin, French and German.

3. Living in the city is not always pleasant. During the summer months particularly.

4. He hated learning foreign languages. Latin, French and German especially.

5. Moving up the mountain at a fast pace. The soldiers were soon exhausted. They were not used to climbing at high altitudes. Where the air was thinner.

- Moving up the mountain at a fast pace, the soldiers were soon exhausted. They were not used to climbing at high altitudes where the air was thinner.

5. Moving up the mountain at a fast pace. The soldiers were soon exhausted. They were not used to climbing at high altitudes. Where the air was thinner.

6. When people are scared. The hair on their bodies really can “stand on end”. Each hair is attached to a tiny muscle. Which can pull the hair straight up. The muscles react together in response to a great fright.

[The word groups beginning with when & which are dependent – word fragment, so each needs to be added to the sentence that comes before or after it.]

-When people are scared, the hair on their bodies really can “stand on end”. Each hair is attached to a tiny muscle which can pull the hair straight up. The muscles react together in response to a great fright.

6. When people are scared. The hair on their bodies

really can “stand on end”. Each hair is attached to a

tiny muscle. Which can pull the hair straight up. The

muscles react together in response to a great fright.

The word groups beginning with when & which are dependent – word fragment, so each needs to be added to the sentence that comes before or after it. When people are scared, the hair on their bodies really can “stand on end”. Each hair is attached to a tiny muscle which can pull the hair straight up. The muscles react together in response to a great fright.

With this we come to the end of this lesson. I hope it will help you construct more effective

sentences in your academic as well as professional lives.

Okay then,see you next time. Allah Hafiz