Fragments are simply incomplete sentences. In order to be complete, a sentence must contain an independent clause. That simply means that the words must contain a subject and a verb, and together they must make a complete thought.

Examples

Example 1 – When she went to the store to buy some eggs to make Lilly a pie.  Incomplete – There is a subject and a verb here, but the thought is incomplete. The phrase above is what is known as a dependent clause. It needs an independent clause to finish it off. When she went to the store to buy some eggs to make Lilly a pie, she realized she forgot her wallet. Complete – The last part of this sentence is an independent clause, making it compete.

Example 2 - Unable to ride on the train. Incomplete – The verb is fine here, but there is no subject. Who is unable to ride on the train? Nellie Badilly is unable to ride on the train. Complete – Nellie Badilly is the subject.

Example 3 – One of the young readers, asking about the story. Incomplete – Ing verbs cannot stand on their own. They require a helping verb. One of the young readers, asking about the story, wondered why the spider was so mean. Complete – “wondered” saves the day here.

So teach your kids to make sure their sentences are complete – not run on sentences, but concise and complete, containing independent clauses.

If not you be not happy. If yes, you happy. All of us happy.

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!