{"id":210,"date":"2020-02-25T23:16:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T04:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/chapter\/writing-basics-what-makes-a-good-sentence\/"},"modified":"2021-08-12T14:09:14","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T18:09:14","slug":"sentence-basics","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/chapter\/sentence-basics\/","title":{"raw":"Sentence Basics","rendered":"Sentence Basics"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n\r\nIn this chapter, please refer to the following grammar key:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Subjects<\/span> are underlined.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Verbs<\/strong> are in bold.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>LV means linking verb<\/li>\r\n \t<li>HV means helping verb<\/li>\r\n \t<li>V means action verb<\/li>\r\n \t<li>N means noun<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Adj mean adjective<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Adv means adverb<\/li>\r\n \t<li>DO means direct object<\/li>\r\n \t<li>IO means indirect object<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h1>Components of a Sentence<\/h1>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Clearly written, complete sentences require key information: a subject, a verb and a complete idea. A sentence needs to make sense on its own. Sometimes, complete sentences are also called independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that may make up a sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that may stand alone as a complete, grammatically correct thought. The following sentences show independent clauses in curly brackets:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">{We went to the store.} {We bought the ingredients on out list}, and then {we went home.}<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">All complete sentences have at least one independent clause. You can identify an independent clause by reading it on its own and looking for the subject and the verb.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Subjects<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">When you read a sentence, you may first look for the subject, or what the sentence is about. The subject usually appears at the beginning of a sentence as a noun or a pronoun. A noun is a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Common pronouns are <em>I<\/em>, <em>he<\/em>, <em>she<\/em>, <em>it<\/em>, <em>you<\/em>, <em>they<\/em>, and <em>we<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Malik<\/span> is the project manager for this project. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">He<\/span> will give us our assignments.<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">In these sentences, the subject is a person: <em class=\"emphasis\">Malik<\/em>. The pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">He<\/em> replaces and refers back to <em class=\"emphasis\">Malik<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">computer lab<\/span> is where we will work. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">It<\/span> will be open twenty-four hours a day.<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">In the first sentence, the subject is a place: <em class=\"emphasis\">computer lab<\/em>. In the second sentence, the pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">It<\/em> substitutes for <em class=\"emphasis\">computer lab<\/em> as the subject.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">project<\/span> will run for three weeks. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">It<\/span> will have a quick turnaround.<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">In the first sentence, the subject is a thing: <em class=\"emphasis\">project<\/em>. In the second sentence, the pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">It<\/em> stands in for the <em class=\"emphasis\">project<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_if04\" class=\"informalfigure large\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Compound Subjects<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A sentence may have more than one person, place, or thing as the subject. These subjects are called compound subjects. Compound subjects are useful when you want to discuss several subjects at once.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Desmond<\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maria<\/span> have been working on that design for almost a year. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Books<\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">magazines<\/span>, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">online articles<\/span> are all good resources.<\/div>\r\n<div>In the first sentence, the subjects are <em>Desmond<\/em> and <em>Maria<\/em>. In the second sentence, <em>books<\/em>, <em>magazines<\/em>, and <em>online articles<\/em> are the subjects.<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Prepositional Phrases<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">You will often read a sentence that has more than one noun or pronoun in it. You may encounter a group of words that includes a preposition with a noun or a pronoun. Prepositions connect a noun, pronoun, or verb to another word that describes or modifies that noun, pronoun, or verb. Common prepositions include <em>in<\/em>, <em>on<\/em>, <em>under<\/em>, <em>near<\/em>, <em>by<\/em>, <em>with<\/em>, and <em>about<\/em>. A group of words that begin with a preposition is called a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and modifies or describes a word. It cannot act as the subject of a sentence. The following phrases inside curly brackets are examples of prepositional phrases.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">We went {on a business trip}. That restaurant {with the famous pizza} was on the way. We stopped {for lunch}.<\/div>\r\n<div>The prepositional phrases in this example include <em>on a business trip<\/em>, <em>with the famous pizza<\/em>, and <em>for lunch<\/em>.<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nRead the following sentences. Underline the subjects, and circle the prepositional phrases.\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>The gym is open until nine o\u2019clock tonight.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>We went to the store to get some ice.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The student with the most extra credit will win a homework pass.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Maya and Tia found an abandoned cat by the side of the road.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The driver of that pickup truck skidded on the ice.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Anita won the race with time to spare.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The people who work for that company were surprised about the merger.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Working in haste means that you are more likely to make mistakes.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The soundtrack has over sixty songs in languages from around the world.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>His latest invention does not work, but it has inspired the rest of us.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02_n01\" class=\"exercises editable block\">\r\n<h2>Verbs<\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Once you locate the subject of a sentence, you can move on to the next part of a complete sentence: the verb. A verb is often an action word that shows what the subject is doing. A verb can also link the subject to a describing word. There are three types of verbs that you can use in a sentence: action verbs, linking verbs, or helping verbs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Action Verbs<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A verb that connects the subject to an action is called an action verb. An action verb answers the question <em>what is the subject doing<\/em>? In the following sentences, the action verbs are in bold.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\nThe dog <strong>barked<\/strong> at the jogger.\r\n\r\nHe <strong>gave<\/strong> a short speech before we ate.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<em>Barked <\/em>and <em>gave <\/em>are action verbs.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Linking Verbs<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A verb can often connect the subject of the sentence to a describing word. This type of verb is called a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">linking verb <\/a><\/span>because it links the subject to a describing word. In the following sentences, the linking verbs are in bold.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\nThe coat <strong>was<\/strong> old and dirty.\r\n\r\nThe clock <strong>seemed<\/strong> broken.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<em>Was<\/em> and <em>seemed<\/em> are linking verbs.\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">If you have trouble telling the difference between action verbs and linking verbs, remember that an action verb shows that the subject is doing something, whereas a linking verb simply connects the subject to another word that describes or modifies the subject. A few verbs can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\nAction verb: The boy <strong>looked<\/strong> for his glove.\r\n\r\nLinking verb: The boy <strong>looked<\/strong> tired.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">Although both sentences use the same verb <em>looked<\/em>, the two sentences have completely different meanings. In the first sentence, the verb describes the boy\u2019s action. In the second sentence, the verb describes the boy\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Helping Verbs<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A third type of verb you may use as you write is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">helping verb<\/a><span class=\"glossdef\">.<\/span><\/span> Helping verbs are verbs that are used with the main verb to describe a mood or tense. Helping verbs are usually a form of <em class=\"emphasis\">be<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">do<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">have<\/em>. The word <em class=\"emphasis\">can<\/em> is also used as a helping verb.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The restaurant<\/span> <strong>is known<\/strong> for its variety of dishes.<\/div>\r\n<em>Is <\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Known<\/em> is the main verb.\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">She<\/span> <strong>does speak up<\/strong> when prompted in class.<\/div>\r\n<em>Does<\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Speak up <\/em>is the main verb.\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">We<\/span> <strong>have seen<\/strong> that movie three times.<\/div>\r\n<em>Have<\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Seen <\/em>is the main verb.\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">They<\/span> <strong>can tell<\/strong> when someone walks on their lawn.<\/div>\r\n<em>Can <\/em>is the helping verb. <em>Tell<\/em> is the main verb.\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_if01\" class=\"informalfigure large block\"><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p02\" class=\"para\">Whenever you write or edit sentences, keep the subject and verb in mind. As you write, ask yourself these questions to keep yourself on track:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Subject:<\/strong> Who or what is the sentence about?<\/li>\r\n \t<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Verb:<\/strong> Which word shows an action or links the subject to a description?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nCopy each sentence onto your own sheet of paper and circle the verb(s). Name the type of verb(s) used in the sentence in the space provided (LV, HV, or V).\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>The cat sounds ready to come back inside. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>We have not eaten dinner yet. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It took four people to move the broken-down car. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The book was filled with notes from class. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>We walked from room to room, inspecting for damages. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Harold was expecting a package in the mail. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The clothes still felt damp even though they had been through the dryer twice. ________<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The teacher who runs the studio is often praised for his restoration work on old masterpieces. ________<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h1 id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_n02\" class=\"exercises editable block\">Sentence Structure, Including Fragments and Run-ons<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Now that you know what makes a complete sentence\u2014a subject and a verb\u2014you can use other parts of speech to build on this basic structure. Good writers use a variety of sentence structures to make their work more interesting. This section covers different sentence structures that you can use to make longer, more complex sentences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Sentence Patterns<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Six basic subject-verb patterns can enhance your writing. A sample sentence is provided for each pattern. As you read each sentence, take note of where each part of the sentence falls. Notice that some sentence patterns use action verbs and others use linking verbs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb<\/h3>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>hum<\/strong>.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Linking Verb \u2013 Noun<\/h3>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>are<\/strong> tools.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s03\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Linking Verb \u2013 Adjective<\/h3>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>are<\/strong> expensive.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s04\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Adverb<\/h3>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>calculate<\/strong> quickly.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s05\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Direct Object<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">When you write a sentence with a direct object (DO), make sure that the DO receives the action of the verb.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sally<\/span> <strong>rides<\/strong> a motorcycle.<\/div>\r\n<div><em>Sally<\/em> is the subject. <em>Rides <\/em>is the verb. <em>A motorcycle<\/em> is the direct object.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Indirect Object \u2013 Direct Object<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">In this sentence structure, an <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">indirect object<\/a> <\/span>explains <em class=\"emphasis\">to whom<\/em> or <em class=\"emphasis\">to what<\/em> the action is being done. The indirect object is a noun or pronoun, and it comes before the direct object in a sentence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">My coworker<\/span> <strong>gave<\/strong> me the reports.<\/div>\r\n<em>My coworker <\/em>is the subject. <em>Gave<\/em> is the verb. <em>Me<\/em> is the indirect object. <em>Reports<\/em> is the direct object.\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_if01\" class=\"informalfigure large block\"><\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Use what you have learned so far to bring variety in your writing. Write six sentences that practice each basic sentence pattern. When you have finished, label each part of the sentence (S, V, LV, N, Adj, Adv, DO, IO).<\/li>\r\n \t<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_p03\" class=\"para\">Find an article in a newspaper, a magazine, or online that interests you. Bring it to class or post it online. Then, looking at a classmate\u2019s article, identify one example of each part of a sentence (S, V, LV, N, Adj, Adv, DO, IO). Please share or post your results.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Fragments<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">The sentences you have encountered so far have been independent clauses. As you look more closely at your past writing assignments, you may notice that some of your sentences are not complete. A sentence that is missing a subject or a verb is called a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">fragment. <\/a><\/span>A fragment may include a description or may express part of an idea, but it does not express a complete thought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p02\">Fragment: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Children<\/span> helping in the kitchen.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p03\">Complete sentence: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Children<\/span> helping in the kitchen <strong>often make a mess<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">You can easily fix a fragment by adding the missing subject or verb. In the example, the sentence was missing a verb. Adding <em class=\"emphasis\">often make a mess<\/em> creates an subject-verb-noun sentence structure.<a id=\"fig1\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_201\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<img class=\"wp-image-201\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-813x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A decision tree for how to edit fragments that are missing a subject or a verb. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"756\" \/> <a class=\"internal\" href=\"#1fig\">[Image description]<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_f01\" class=\"figure large editable block\"><\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">See whether you can identify what is missing in the following fragments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fragment:<\/strong> Told her about the broken vase.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence: <\/strong><em>I<\/em> told her about the broken vase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p08\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fragment:<\/strong> The store down on Main Street.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p09\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The store down on Main Street <em>sells music.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2 id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">Common Sentence Errors<\/h2>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Fragments often occur because of some common error, such as starting a sentence with a preposition, a dependent word, an <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">infinitive<\/a><\/span> or a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">gerund<\/a><\/span>. If you use the six basic sentence patterns when you write, you should be able to avoid these errors and thus avoid writing fragments.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">When you see a preposition, check to see that it is part of a sentence containing a subject and a verb. If it is not connected to a complete sentence, it is a fragment, and you will need to fix this type of fragment by combining it with another sentence. You can add the prepositional phrase to the end of the sentence. If you add it to the beginning of the other sentence, insert a comma after the prepositional phrase.<a id=\"fig2\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_202\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<img class=\"wp-image-202\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2.jpg\" alt=\"Decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a preposition. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"805\" \/> <a class=\"internal\" href=\"#2fig\">[Image description]<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n01\" class=\"callout block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\nExample A:\r\n\r\nIncorrect: After walking over two miles. John remembered his wallet.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> After walking over two miles, John remembered his wallet.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> John remembered his wallet <del><\/del>after walking over two miles.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"simpara\">Example B<\/p>\r\n<strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> The dog growled at the vacuum cleaner. When it was switched on.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> When the vacuum cleaner was switched on, the dog growled.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> The dog growled at the vacuum cleaner when it was switched on.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nClauses that start with a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">dependent word<\/a><\/span>\u2014such as <em class=\"emphasis\">since<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">because<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">without<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">unless<\/em>\u2014are similar to prepositional phrases. Like prepositional phrases, these clauses can be fragments if they are not connected to an independent clause containing a subject and a verb. To fix the problem, you can add such a fragment to the beginning or end of a sentence. If the fragment is added at the beginning of a sentence, add a comma.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> Because we lost power. The entire family overslept.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> Because we lost power, the entire family overslept.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> The entire family overslept because we lost power.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> He has been seeing a physical therapist. Since his accident.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> Since his accident, he has been seeing a physical therapist.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> He has been seeing a physical therapist since his accident.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">When you encounter a word ending in <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> in a sentence, identify whether or not this word is used as a verb in the sentence. You may also look for a helping verb. If the word is not used as a verb or if no helping verb is used with the <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> verb form, the verb is being used as a noun. An <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> verb form used as a noun is called a gerund.<a id=\"fromFig11.15\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_if05\" class=\"informalfigure large block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\nVerb: I <strong>was working<\/strong> on homework until midnight.\r\n\r\nNoun: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Working<\/span> until midnight makes me tired the next morning.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">Once you know whether the <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> word is acting as a noun or a verb, look at the rest of the sentence. Does the entire sentence make sense on its own? If not, what you are looking at is a fragment. You will need to either add the parts of speech that are missing or combine the fragment with a nearby sentence.<a id=\"fig3\"><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_208\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<img class=\"wp-image-208\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610.jpg\" alt=\"A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with gerunds. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"874\" \/> <a class=\"internal\" href=\"#3fig\">[Image description]<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_f02\" class=\"figure large editable block\"><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n04\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> Taking deep breaths. Saul prepared for his presentation.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Taking deep breaths, Saul prepared for his presentation.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p08\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Saul prepared for his presentation. He <strong class=\"emphasis bold\">was taking<\/strong> deep breaths.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n05\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p09\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> Congratulating the entire team. Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p10\" class=\"para\"><strong>Correct:<\/strong> She was congratulating the entire team. Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p11\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Congratulating the entire team<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">,<\/strong> Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p12\" class=\"para editable block\">Another error in sentence construction is a fragment that begins with an infinitive. An infinitive is a verb paired with the word <em class=\"emphasis\">to<\/em>; for example, <em class=\"emphasis\">to run<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">to write<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">to reach<\/em>. Although infinitives are verbs, they can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. You can correct a fragment that begins with an infinitive by either combining it with another sentence or adding the parts of speech that are missing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n06\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p13\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes. To reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p14\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes to reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p15\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes. We wanted to reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nCopy the following sentences and identify the fragments. Then combine the fragment with the independent clause to create a complete sentence.\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Working without taking a break. We try to get as much work done as we can in an hour.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>I needed to bring work home. In order to meet the deadline.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Unless the ground thaws before spring break. We won\u2019t be planting any tulips this year.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Turning the lights off after they were done in the kitchen. Kris tries to conserve energy whenever possible.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You\u2019ll find what you need if you look. On the shelf next to the potted plant.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To find the perfect apartment. Deidre scoured the classifieds each day.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Run-on Sentences<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Just as short, incomplete sentences can be problematic, lengthy sentences can be problematic too. Sentences with two or more independent clauses that have been incorrectly combined are known as <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">run-on sentences<\/a><\/span>. A run-on sentence may be either a fused sentence or a comma splice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p02\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fused sentence:<\/strong> A family of foxes lived under our shed young foxes played all over the yard.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Comma splice:<\/strong> We looked outside, the kids were hopping on the trampoline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">When two complete sentences are combined into one without any punctuation, the result is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">fused sentence<\/a><\/span>. When two complete sentences are joined by a comma, the result is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">comma splice<\/a><\/span>. Both errors can easily be fixed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Punctuation<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">One way to correct run-on sentences is to correct the punctuation. For example, adding a period will correct the run-on by creating two separate sentences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Run-on:<\/strong> There were no seats left, we had to stand in the back.\r\n\r\n<strong>Correct:<\/strong> There were no seats left. We had to stand in the back.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nUsing a semicolon between the two complete sentences will also correct the error. A semicolon allows you to keep the two closely related ideas together in one sentence. When you punctuate with a semicolon, make sure that both parts of the sentence are independent clauses.\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The accident closed both lanes of traffic we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The accident closed both lanes of traffic<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">;<\/strong> we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">When you use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, you may wish to add a transition word to show the connection between the two thoughts. After the semicolon, add the transition word and follow it with a comma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_n03\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The project was put on hold we didn\u2019t have time to slow down, so we kept working.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The project was put on hold<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">; however,<\/strong> we didn\u2019t have time to slow down, so we kept working.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Coordinating Conjunctions<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">You can also fix run-on sentences by adding a comma and a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">coordinating conjunction.<\/a> <\/span>A coordinating conjunction acts as a link between two independent clauses. <span class=\"margin_term\"><span class=\"glossdef\">Common coordinating conjunctions are <em class=\"emphasis\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">yet<\/em>, and <em class=\"emphasis\">so<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\nThese are the seven coordinating conjunctions that you can use: <em class=\"emphasis\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">yet<\/em>, and <em class=\"emphasis\">so<\/em>. Use these words appropriately when you want to link the two independent clauses. The acronym <em class=\"emphasis\">FANBOYS<\/em> will help you remember this group of coordinating conjunctions.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The new printer was installed, no one knew how to use it.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The new printer was installed<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">, but<\/strong> no one knew how to use it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Dependent Words<\/h3>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Adding dependent words is another way to link independent clauses. Like the coordinating conjunctions, dependent words show a relationship between two independent clauses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p02\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> We took the elevator, the others still got there before us.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence: Although<\/strong> we took the elevator, the others got there before us.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> Cobwebs covered the furniture, the room hadn\u2019t been used in years.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p05\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> Cobwebs covered the furniture <strong class=\"emphasis bold\">because<\/strong> the room hadn\u2019t been used in years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Image Descriptions<\/h2>\r\n<strong><a id=\"1fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing sentence fragments that are missing a subject or a verb:<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Does the sentence contain a subject?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, go to #2.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, the sentence is a fragment. Add a subject to make it a complete sentence. Then go to #2.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Does the sentence contain a verb?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, the sentence is a fragment. Add a verb to make it a complete sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig1\">[Return to image]<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"2fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a preposition:<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Can you find a preposition or prepositional phrase?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can you find a subject?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, go to #3.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can you find a verb?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\">The phrase is a fragment. Combine the prepositional phrase with another sentence. Add the prepositional phrase to the end of the combined sentence or add the prepositional phrase to the beginning of the combined sentence and add a comma after the prepositional phrase.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig2\">[Return to image]<\/a>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"3fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a gerund:<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>Does the phrase contain a word that ends in -ing?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Does the -ing word have a helping verb?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, the -ing word is a verb. Go to<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, the -ing word is a gerund, a noun.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Does the phrase make sense on its own?\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The phrase is a fragment. Correct by adding the missing part of speech or correct by combining with a nearby sentence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig3\">[Return to image]<\/a>\r\n<h3>Text Attributions<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>This chapter was adapted from \u201c<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/writingforsuccess\/chapter\/2-1-sentence-writing\/\">Sentence Writing<\/a>\u201d in <em>W<\/em><em>riting for Success<\/em> by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution (and republished by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), which is licensed under a <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>. Adapted by Allison Kilgannon.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments that Begin with a Preposition<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a\u00a0<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments That Begin with Gerunds<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a\u00a0<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox\">\n<p>In this chapter, please refer to the following grammar key:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Subjects<\/span> are underlined.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verbs<\/strong> are in bold.<\/li>\n<li>LV means linking verb<\/li>\n<li>HV means helping verb<\/li>\n<li>V means action verb<\/li>\n<li>N means noun<\/li>\n<li>Adj mean adjective<\/li>\n<li>Adv means adverb<\/li>\n<li>DO means direct object<\/li>\n<li>IO means indirect object<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h1>Components of a Sentence<\/h1>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Clearly written, complete sentences require key information: a subject, a verb and a complete idea. A sentence needs to make sense on its own. Sometimes, complete sentences are also called independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that may make up a sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that may stand alone as a complete, grammatically correct thought. The following sentences show independent clauses in curly brackets:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">{We went to the store.} {We bought the ingredients on out list}, and then {we went home.}<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">All complete sentences have at least one independent clause. You can identify an independent clause by reading it on its own and looking for the subject and the verb.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Subjects<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">When you read a sentence, you may first look for the subject, or what the sentence is about. The subject usually appears at the beginning of a sentence as a noun or a pronoun. A noun is a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Common pronouns are <em>I<\/em>, <em>he<\/em>, <em>she<\/em>, <em>it<\/em>, <em>you<\/em>, <em>they<\/em>, and <em>we<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Malik<\/span> is the project manager for this project. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">He<\/span> will give us our assignments.<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">In these sentences, the subject is a person: <em class=\"emphasis\">Malik<\/em>. The pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">He<\/em> replaces and refers back to <em class=\"emphasis\">Malik<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">computer lab<\/span> is where we will work. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">It<\/span> will be open twenty-four hours a day.<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">In the first sentence, the subject is a place: <em class=\"emphasis\">computer lab<\/em>. In the second sentence, the pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">It<\/em> substitutes for <em class=\"emphasis\">computer lab<\/em> as the subject.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">project<\/span> will run for three weeks. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">It<\/span> will have a quick turnaround.<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">In the first sentence, the subject is a thing: <em class=\"emphasis\">project<\/em>. In the second sentence, the pronoun <em class=\"emphasis\">It<\/em> stands in for the <em class=\"emphasis\">project<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_if04\" class=\"informalfigure large\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Compound Subjects<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A sentence may have more than one person, place, or thing as the subject. These subjects are called compound subjects. Compound subjects are useful when you want to discuss several subjects at once.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Desmond<\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maria<\/span> have been working on that design for almost a year. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Books<\/span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">magazines<\/span>, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">online articles<\/span> are all good resources.<\/div>\n<div>In the first sentence, the subjects are <em>Desmond<\/em> and <em>Maria<\/em>. In the second sentence, <em>books<\/em>, <em>magazines<\/em>, and <em>online articles<\/em> are the subjects.<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Prepositional Phrases<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">You will often read a sentence that has more than one noun or pronoun in it. You may encounter a group of words that includes a preposition with a noun or a pronoun. Prepositions connect a noun, pronoun, or verb to another word that describes or modifies that noun, pronoun, or verb. Common prepositions include <em>in<\/em>, <em>on<\/em>, <em>under<\/em>, <em>near<\/em>, <em>by<\/em>, <em>with<\/em>, and <em>about<\/em>. A group of words that begin with a preposition is called a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and modifies or describes a word. It cannot act as the subject of a sentence. The following phrases inside curly brackets are examples of prepositional phrases.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">We went {on a business trip}. That restaurant {with the famous pizza} was on the way. We stopped {for lunch}.<\/div>\n<div>The prepositional phrases in this example include <em>on a business trip<\/em>, <em>with the famous pizza<\/em>, and <em>for lunch<\/em>.<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Read the following sentences. Underline the subjects, and circle the prepositional phrases.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The gym is open until nine o\u2019clock tonight.<\/li>\n<li>We went to the store to get some ice.<\/li>\n<li>The student with the most extra credit will win a homework pass.<\/li>\n<li>Maya and Tia found an abandoned cat by the side of the road.<\/li>\n<li>The driver of that pickup truck skidded on the ice.<\/li>\n<li>Anita won the race with time to spare.<\/li>\n<li>The people who work for that company were surprised about the merger.<\/li>\n<li>Working in haste means that you are more likely to make mistakes.<\/li>\n<li>The soundtrack has over sixty songs in languages from around the world.<\/li>\n<li>His latest invention does not work, but it has inspired the rest of us.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s01_s02_n01\" class=\"exercises editable block\">\n<h2>Verbs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Once you locate the subject of a sentence, you can move on to the next part of a complete sentence: the verb. A verb is often an action word that shows what the subject is doing. A verb can also link the subject to a describing word. There are three types of verbs that you can use in a sentence: action verbs, linking verbs, or helping verbs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Action Verbs<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A verb that connects the subject to an action is called an action verb. An action verb answers the question <em>what is the subject doing<\/em>? In the following sentences, the action verbs are in bold.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p>The dog <strong>barked<\/strong> at the jogger.<\/p>\n<p>He <strong>gave<\/strong> a short speech before we ate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Barked <\/em>and <em>gave <\/em>are action verbs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Linking Verbs<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A verb can often connect the subject of the sentence to a describing word. This type of verb is called a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">linking verb <\/a><\/span>because it links the subject to a describing word. In the following sentences, the linking verbs are in bold.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p>The coat <strong>was<\/strong> old and dirty.<\/p>\n<p>The clock <strong>seemed<\/strong> broken.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Was<\/em> and <em>seemed<\/em> are linking verbs.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">If you have trouble telling the difference between action verbs and linking verbs, remember that an action verb shows that the subject is doing something, whereas a linking verb simply connects the subject to another word that describes or modifies the subject. A few verbs can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p>Action verb: The boy <strong>looked<\/strong> for his glove.<\/p>\n<p>Linking verb: The boy <strong>looked<\/strong> tired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s02_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">Although both sentences use the same verb <em>looked<\/em>, the two sentences have completely different meanings. In the first sentence, the verb describes the boy\u2019s action. In the second sentence, the verb describes the boy\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Helping Verbs<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A third type of verb you may use as you write is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">helping verb<\/a><span class=\"glossdef\">.<\/span><\/span> Helping verbs are verbs that are used with the main verb to describe a mood or tense. Helping verbs are usually a form of <em class=\"emphasis\">be<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">do<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">have<\/em>. The word <em class=\"emphasis\">can<\/em> is also used as a helping verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The restaurant<\/span> <strong>is known<\/strong> for its variety of dishes.<\/div>\n<p><em>Is <\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Known<\/em> is the main verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">She<\/span> <strong>does speak up<\/strong> when prompted in class.<\/div>\n<p><em>Does<\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Speak up <\/em>is the main verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">We<\/span> <strong>have seen<\/strong> that movie three times.<\/div>\n<p><em>Have<\/em> is the helping verb. <em>Seen <\/em>is the main verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">They<\/span> <strong>can tell<\/strong> when someone walks on their lawn.<\/div>\n<p><em>Can <\/em>is the helping verb. <em>Tell<\/em> is the main verb.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_if01\" class=\"informalfigure large block\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<hr \/>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p02\" class=\"para\">Whenever you write or edit sentences, keep the subject and verb in mind. As you write, ask yourself these questions to keep yourself on track:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Subject:<\/strong> Who or what is the sentence about?<\/li>\n<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Verb:<\/strong> Which word shows an action or links the subject to a description?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Copy each sentence onto your own sheet of paper and circle the verb(s). Name the type of verb(s) used in the sentence in the space provided (LV, HV, or V).<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The cat sounds ready to come back inside. ________<\/li>\n<li>We have not eaten dinner yet. ________<\/li>\n<li>It took four people to move the broken-down car. ________<\/li>\n<li>The book was filled with notes from class. ________<\/li>\n<li>We walked from room to room, inspecting for damages. ________<\/li>\n<li>Harold was expecting a package in the mail. ________<\/li>\n<li>The clothes still felt damp even though they had been through the dryer twice. ________<\/li>\n<li>The teacher who runs the studio is often praised for his restoration work on old masterpieces. ________<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s01_s02_s03_n02\" class=\"exercises editable block\">Sentence Structure, Including Fragments and Run-ons<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Now that you know what makes a complete sentence\u2014a subject and a verb\u2014you can use other parts of speech to build on this basic structure. Good writers use a variety of sentence structures to make their work more interesting. This section covers different sentence structures that you can use to make longer, more complex sentences.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Sentence Patterns<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Six basic subject-verb patterns can enhance your writing. A sample sentence is provided for each pattern. As you read each sentence, take note of where each part of the sentence falls. Notice that some sentence patterns use action verbs and others use linking verbs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb<\/h3>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>hum<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Linking Verb \u2013 Noun<\/h3>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>are<\/strong> tools.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s03\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Linking Verb \u2013 Adjective<\/h3>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>are<\/strong> expensive.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s04\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Adverb<\/h3>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Computers<\/span> <strong>calculate<\/strong> quickly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s05\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Direct Object<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">When you write a sentence with a direct object (DO), make sure that the DO receives the action of the verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sally<\/span> <strong>rides<\/strong> a motorcycle.<\/div>\n<div><em>Sally<\/em> is the subject. <em>Rides <\/em>is the verb. <em>A motorcycle<\/em> is the direct object.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Subject \u2013 Verb \u2013 Indirect Object \u2013 Direct Object<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">In this sentence structure, an <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">indirect object<\/a> <\/span>explains <em class=\"emphasis\">to whom<\/em> or <em class=\"emphasis\">to what<\/em> the action is being done. The indirect object is a noun or pronoun, and it comes before the direct object in a sentence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">My coworker<\/span> <strong>gave<\/strong> me the reports.<\/div>\n<p><em>My coworker <\/em>is the subject. <em>Gave<\/em> is the verb. <em>Me<\/em> is the indirect object. <em>Reports<\/em> is the direct object.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_if01\" class=\"informalfigure large block\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ol>\n<li>Use what you have learned so far to bring variety in your writing. Write six sentences that practice each basic sentence pattern. When you have finished, label each part of the sentence (S, V, LV, N, Adj, Adv, DO, IO).<\/li>\n<li id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s01_s06_p03\" class=\"para\">Find an article in a newspaper, a magazine, or online that interests you. Bring it to class or post it online. Then, looking at a classmate\u2019s article, identify one example of each part of a sentence (S, V, LV, N, Adj, Adv, DO, IO). Please share or post your results.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Fragments<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">The sentences you have encountered so far have been independent clauses. As you look more closely at your past writing assignments, you may notice that some of your sentences are not complete. A sentence that is missing a subject or a verb is called a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">fragment. <\/a><\/span>A fragment may include a description or may express part of an idea, but it does not express a complete thought.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p02\">Fragment: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Children<\/span> helping in the kitchen.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p03\">Complete sentence: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Children<\/span> helping in the kitchen <strong>often make a mess<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">You can easily fix a fragment by adding the missing subject or verb. In the example, the sentence was missing a verb. Adding <em class=\"emphasis\">often make a mess<\/em> creates an subject-verb-noun sentence structure.<a id=\"fig1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_201\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-201\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-201\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-813x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A decision tree for how to edit fragments that are missing a subject or a verb. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-813x1024.jpg 813w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-768x968.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-1219x1536.jpg 1219w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-1625x2048.jpg 1625w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-65x82.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-225x284.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1-350x441.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/5ffe437dffbe048be08aa06d2f3e0cf1.jpg 1783w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-201\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a class=\"internal\" href=\"#1fig\">[Image description]<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_f01\" class=\"figure large editable block\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">See whether you can identify what is missing in the following fragments.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fragment:<\/strong> Told her about the broken vase.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence: <\/strong><em>I<\/em> told her about the broken vase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p08\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fragment:<\/strong> The store down on Main Street.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_p09\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The store down on Main Street <em>sells music.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">Common Sentence Errors<\/h2>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Fragments often occur because of some common error, such as starting a sentence with a preposition, a dependent word, an <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">infinitive<\/a><\/span> or a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">gerund<\/a><\/span>. If you use the six basic sentence patterns when you write, you should be able to avoid these errors and thus avoid writing fragments.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">When you see a preposition, check to see that it is part of a sentence containing a subject and a verb. If it is not connected to a complete sentence, it is a fragment, and you will need to fix this type of fragment by combining it with another sentence. You can add the prepositional phrase to the end of the sentence. If you add it to the beginning of the other sentence, insert a comma after the prepositional phrase.<a id=\"fig2\"><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_202\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-202\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-202\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2.jpg\" alt=\"Decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a preposition. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2.jpg 1687w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-763x1024.jpg 763w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-768x1030.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-1145x1536.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-1527x2048.jpg 1527w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-65x87.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-225x302.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/72e10784613c15d2932f2179346e40a2-350x470.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-202\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a class=\"internal\" href=\"#2fig\">[Image description]<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n01\" class=\"callout block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p>Example A:<\/p>\n<p>Incorrect: After walking over two miles. John remembered his wallet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> After walking over two miles, John remembered his wallet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> John remembered his wallet <del><\/del>after walking over two miles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"simpara\">Example B<\/p>\n<p><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> The dog growled at the vacuum cleaner. When it was switched on.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> When the vacuum cleaner was switched on, the dog growled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> The dog growled at the vacuum cleaner when it was switched on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Clauses that start with a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">dependent word<\/a><\/span>\u2014such as <em class=\"emphasis\">since<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">because<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">without<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">unless<\/em>\u2014are similar to prepositional phrases. Like prepositional phrases, these clauses can be fragments if they are not connected to an independent clause containing a subject and a verb. To fix the problem, you can add such a fragment to the beginning or end of a sentence. If the fragment is added at the beginning of a sentence, add a comma.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> Because we lost power. The entire family overslept.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> Because we lost power, the entire family overslept.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> The entire family overslept because we lost power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> He has been seeing a physical therapist. Since his accident.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> Since his accident, he has been seeing a physical therapist.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> He has been seeing a physical therapist since his accident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">When you encounter a word ending in <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> in a sentence, identify whether or not this word is used as a verb in the sentence. You may also look for a helping verb. If the word is not used as a verb or if no helping verb is used with the <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> verb form, the verb is being used as a noun. An <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> verb form used as a noun is called a gerund.<a id=\"fromFig11.15\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_if05\" class=\"informalfigure large block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p>Verb: I <strong>was working<\/strong> on homework until midnight.<\/p>\n<p>Noun: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Working<\/span> until midnight makes me tired the next morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">Once you know whether the <em class=\"emphasis\">-ing<\/em> word is acting as a noun or a verb, look at the rest of the sentence. Does the entire sentence make sense on its own? If not, what you are looking at is a fragment. You will need to either add the parts of speech that are missing or combine the fragment with a nearby sentence.<a id=\"fig3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_208\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-208\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-208\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610.jpg\" alt=\"A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with gerunds. Image description available.\" width=\"600\" height=\"874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610.jpg 1669w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-703x1024.jpg 703w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-768x1118.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-1055x1536.jpg 1055w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-1407x2048.jpg 1407w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-65x95.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-225x328.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/931\/2020\/02\/c6c037e98dcc9233f17f59752aa51610-350x510.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-208\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a class=\"internal\" href=\"#3fig\">[Image description]<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_f02\" class=\"figure large editable block\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n04\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> Taking deep breaths. Saul prepared for his presentation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Taking deep breaths, Saul prepared for his presentation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p08\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Saul prepared for his presentation. He <strong class=\"emphasis bold\">was taking<\/strong> deep breaths.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n05\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p09\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> Congratulating the entire team. Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p10\" class=\"para\"><strong>Correct:<\/strong> She was congratulating the entire team. Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p11\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> Congratulating the entire team<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">,<\/strong> Sarah raised her glass to toast their success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p12\" class=\"para editable block\">Another error in sentence construction is a fragment that begins with an infinitive. An infinitive is a verb paired with the word <em class=\"emphasis\">to<\/em>; for example, <em class=\"emphasis\">to run<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">to write<\/em>, or <em class=\"emphasis\">to reach<\/em>. Although infinitives are verbs, they can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. You can correct a fragment that begins with an infinitive by either combining it with another sentence or adding the parts of speech that are missing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_n06\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p13\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Incorrect:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes. To reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p14\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes to reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s02_s01_p15\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Correct:<\/strong> We needed to make three hundred more paper cranes. We wanted to reach the one thousand mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Copy the following sentences and identify the fragments. Then combine the fragment with the independent clause to create a complete sentence.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Working without taking a break. We try to get as much work done as we can in an hour.<\/li>\n<li>I needed to bring work home. In order to meet the deadline.<\/li>\n<li>Unless the ground thaws before spring break. We won\u2019t be planting any tulips this year.<\/li>\n<li>Turning the lights off after they were done in the kitchen. Kris tries to conserve energy whenever possible.<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019ll find what you need if you look. On the shelf next to the potted plant.<\/li>\n<li>To find the perfect apartment. Deidre scoured the classifieds each day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Run-on Sentences<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Just as short, incomplete sentences can be problematic, lengthy sentences can be problematic too. Sentences with two or more independent clauses that have been incorrectly combined are known as <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">run-on sentences<\/a><\/span>. A run-on sentence may be either a fused sentence or a comma splice.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p02\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Fused sentence:<\/strong> A family of foxes lived under our shed young foxes played all over the yard.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Comma splice:<\/strong> We looked outside, the kids were hopping on the trampoline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">When two complete sentences are combined into one without any punctuation, the result is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">fused sentence<\/a><\/span>. When two complete sentences are joined by a comma, the result is a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">comma splice<\/a><\/span>. Both errors can easily be fixed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Punctuation<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">One way to correct run-on sentences is to correct the punctuation. For example, adding a period will correct the run-on by creating two separate sentences.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p><strong>Run-on:<\/strong> There were no seats left, we had to stand in the back.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Correct:<\/strong> There were no seats left. We had to stand in the back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Using a semicolon between the two complete sentences will also correct the error. A semicolon allows you to keep the two closely related ideas together in one sentence. When you punctuate with a semicolon, make sure that both parts of the sentence are independent clauses.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The accident closed both lanes of traffic we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The accident closed both lanes of traffic<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">;<\/strong> we waited an hour for the wreckage to be cleared.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">When you use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, you may wish to add a transition word to show the connection between the two thoughts. After the semicolon, add the transition word and follow it with a comma.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_n03\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p06\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The project was put on hold we didn\u2019t have time to slow down, so we kept working.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s01_p07\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The project was put on hold<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">; however,<\/strong> we didn\u2019t have time to slow down, so we kept working.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Coordinating Conjunctions<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">You can also fix run-on sentences by adding a comma and a <span class=\"margin_term\"><a class=\"glossterm\">coordinating conjunction.<\/a> <\/span>A coordinating conjunction acts as a link between two independent clauses. <span class=\"margin_term\"><span class=\"glossdef\">Common coordinating conjunctions are <em class=\"emphasis\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">yet<\/em>, and <em class=\"emphasis\">so<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>These are the seven coordinating conjunctions that you can use: <em class=\"emphasis\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"emphasis\">yet<\/em>, and <em class=\"emphasis\">so<\/em>. Use these words appropriately when you want to link the two independent clauses. The acronym <em class=\"emphasis\">FANBOYS<\/em> will help you remember this group of coordinating conjunctions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_n02\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> The new printer was installed, no one knew how to use it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s02_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> The new printer was installed<strong class=\"emphasis bold\">, but<\/strong> no one knew how to use it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03\" class=\"section\">\n<h3 class=\"title editable block\">Dependent Words<\/h3>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Adding dependent words is another way to link independent clauses. Like the coordinating conjunctions, dependent words show a relationship between two independent clauses.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_n01\" class=\"callout editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p02\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> We took the elevator, the others still got there before us.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p03\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence: Although<\/strong> we took the elevator, the others got there before us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p04\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Run-on:<\/strong> Cobwebs covered the furniture, the room hadn\u2019t been used in years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mcleanbuseng-ch01_s01_s02_s03_s03_p05\" class=\"para\"><strong class=\"emphasis bold\">Complete sentence:<\/strong> Cobwebs covered the furniture <strong class=\"emphasis bold\">because<\/strong> the room hadn\u2019t been used in years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Image Descriptions<\/h2>\n<p><strong><a id=\"1fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing sentence fragments that are missing a subject or a verb:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Does the sentence contain a subject?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, go to #2.<\/li>\n<li>If no, the sentence is a fragment. Add a subject to make it a complete sentence. Then go to #2.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Does the sentence contain a verb?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\n<li>If no, the sentence is a fragment. Add a verb to make it a complete sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig1\">[Return to image]<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"2fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a preposition:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Can you find a preposition or prepositional phrase?<\/li>\n<li>Can you find a subject?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, go to #3.<\/li>\n<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Can you find a verb?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\n<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">The phrase is a fragment. Combine the prepositional phrase with another sentence. Add the prepositional phrase to the end of the combined sentence or add the prepositional phrase to the beginning of the combined sentence and add a comma after the prepositional phrase.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig2\">[Return to image]<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"3fig\"><\/a>A decision tree for editing fragments that begin with a gerund:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Does the phrase contain a word that ends in -ing?<\/li>\n<li>Does the -ing word have a helping verb?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, the -ing word is a verb. Go to<\/li>\n<li>If no, the -ing word is a gerund, a noun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Does the phrase make sense on its own?\n<ul>\n<li>If yes, the sentence is a complete sentence.<\/li>\n<li>If no, go to #4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The phrase is a fragment. Correct by adding the missing part of speech or correct by combining with a nearby sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a style=\"text-align: initial; font-size: 1em;\" href=\"#fig3\">[Return to image]<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Text Attributions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This chapter was adapted from \u201c<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/writingforsuccess\/chapter\/2-1-sentence-writing\/\">Sentence Writing<\/a>\u201d in <em>W<\/em><em>riting for Success<\/em> by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution (and republished by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), which is licensed under a <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>. Adapted by Allison Kilgannon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments that Begin with a Preposition<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a\u00a0<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_writing-for-success\/s06-writing-basics-what-makes-a-go.html\" rel=\"cc:attributionURL\">Editing Fragments That Begin with Gerunds<\/a> by <a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saylor.org\/\" rel=\"dc:creator\">The Saylor Foundation<\/a> is licensed under a\u00a0<a class=\"internal\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\" rel=\"license\">CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":701,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[56],"class_list":["post-210","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":183,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/701"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":970,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/210\/revisions\/970"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/183"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/210\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=210"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=210"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/advancedenglish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}