ENG101- English Comprehension- Lecture 24

Virtual University ENG 101
Lesson -24
Dr.Surriya Shaffi Mir

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

Lesson 24 - Sentence Errors to be Avoided
Having considered the general elements
which make for effectiveness in sentences, we
will now take up four common errors in
sentence construction. These errors should be
avoided by all who write in English. These
errors are:
i Sentence Fragments
ii Run-on sentences
(a) fused sentences (b) comma splice
iii Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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

- My neighbour being a typical businessman
who prides himself on his efficiency.
- Because there are two computers on his desk.
The writer of these incomplete statements
apparently forgot that a sentence must express
a complete thought. You might say that
professional writers-novelists, short story
writers use incomplete sentences, but if you
look closely you will see that their fragments
convey complete thoughts and they convey
them immediately.

- My neighbour being a typical businessman
who prides himself on his efficiency.
- Because there are two computers on his desk.

Besides, they are professional writers and you
are a beginner learning to write! We shall now
look at the most common types of sentences
fragments:
1. The dependent word fragment
2. -ing and to fragments
3. Added-detail fragments
4. Missing-subject fragments.

I. Dependent Word Fragments
Some fragments contain a subject and a verb,
but they do not express a complete thought e.g
- Since Ami was tired.
- When the postman arrived.
- After I had switched off the light.
All three e.g.s begin with dependent words
since, when, after. All three word-groups
depend upon another statement to complete
the thought. See if you can add words to each

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

- Since Ami was tired, she took a nap.
- When the postman arrived, we handed him
the letters.
- There was loud knocking on the front door
after I had switched off the light.
When you begin a statement with a dependent
word, take care that you follow through and
complete the thought in the same sentence.
Otherwise, a sentence fragment will result. Here
is a list of common dependent words. You have
already seen this list in the last lesson.

- Since Ami was tired, she took a nap.
- When the postman arrived, we handed him
the letters.
- There was loud knocking on the front door
after I had switched off the light.

After even if unless where
although as until wherever
when if even though whether
because since whenever while
before though

Practice 1. Identify the part you think is not a
complete sentence.
1. After the new department store opened.
Several small shops went out of business.
2. The nurse pierced my arm four times with a
syringe. Trying to take a blood sample.
3. The old lady was trembling with excitement.
As it was her first airplane ride.
4. The police cordoned off the area. Because
there was a gas leak.
5. The small child was always active. Running,
jumping, climbing on chairs, dashing in and
out of rooms.

Some dependent - word fragments begin with
the word who, that, whose or which. e.g.
- Sarah had to clean up the mess. That the
children left in the verandah.
- I passed the chemistry course. Which I had
expected to fail.
- Yesterday I rant into a man. Who was my best
friend in school.
This type of fragment is best corrected by
attaching it to the sentence that comes before
it.

- Sarah had to clean up the mess. That the
- I passed the chemistry course. Which I had
expected to fail.
- Yesterday I rant into a man. Who was my best
friend in school.

- Sarah had to clean up the mess that the
- I passed the chemistry course which I had
expected to fail.
- Yesterday I rant into a man who was my best
friend in school.

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

1. When I rang the doorbell, the lights of the
house went out.
2. Since I had forgotten my house keys, I had
to break the door.
3. As I walked into the classroom, the fire
alarm rang.
4. Unless her temperature goes down soon,
we will have to consult a specialist.
5. Schools were closed yesterday because of
the political rally.

1. When I rang the doorbell,
______________.
2. Since I had forgotten my house keys,
______________.
3. As I walked into the classroom,
__________________.
4. Unless her temperature goes down soon,
____________.
5. Schools were closed yesterday,
__________.

II. -Ing and To Fragments
(a) When a word ending in -ing appears at the
beginning of a group of words a fragment may
result. e.g.
- Hoping to buy things cheaply. Poor people
often go the Sunday bazaars.
Here the second statement is a complete
sentence. But the first group of words lacks both
a subject and a verb, so it is a fragment.
(b) Here is an example of a to fragment.
- The ladies jogged through the park. To lose
weight.
There are two ways to correct -ing and to
fragments.

(a)
- Hoping to buy things cheaply. Poor people
often go the Sunday bazaars.
(b)
- The ladies jogged through the park. To lose
weight.

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

- Hoping to buy things cheaply, poor people
often go to the Sunday bazaar.
-Poor people often to the Sunday bazaar. They
hope to buy things cheaply.
- The ladies jogged through the park. They
wanted to lose weight.

Practice 3:
First identify the -ing or to fragment in each of
the following items. Then rewrite the correct
version using one of the two methods just
discussed.
1- Police officers stood all over the road.
Directing traffic around the accident.
- Police officers stood all over the road. They
were directing traffic around the accident.

Practice 3:
First identify the -ing or to fragment in each of
the following items. Then rewrite the correct
version using one of the two methods just
discussed.
1- Police officers stood all over the road.
Directing traffic around the accident.

2. Rising high into the sky. The huge yellow kite
could be seen for miles.
- Rising high into the sky, the huge yellow kite
3. Sarah painted a landscape. To enter the
contest.
- Sarah painted a landscape. She wanted to
enter the contest.
4. To get off the diving board. The swimmer did
a somersault.
-The swimmer wanted to get off the diving
board. He did a somersault.

2. Rising high into the sky. The huge yellow kite
3. Sarah painted a landscape. To enter the
contest.
4. To get off the diving board. The swimmer did a
somersault.

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

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

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

Practice 4
Identify the added - detail fragment in each of
the following items. Then write the correct
version using one of the two methods given
earlier.
1. The former playmates walked past one
another. Without saying a word.
- The former playmates walked past one
another without saying a word.
2. For a main dish, I often serve meat and
vegetables. For example, fish and spinach.
- For a main dish, I often serve meat and
vegetables. For example, I mix fish with spinach.

Practice 4
Identify the added - detail fragment in each of
the following items then write the correct
version using one of the two methods given
earlier.
1. The former playmates walked past one
another. Without saying a word.
2. For a main dish, I often serve meat and
vegetables. For example, fish and spinach.

3. The policeman searched the room for clues.
Such as old photographs, old letters and old
receipts.
- The policeman searched the room for clues
such as old photographs, old letters and old
receipts.
4. Oranges are full of nutrients. Especially
vitamin C.
- Oranges are full of nutrients especially
vitamin C.

3. The policeman searched the room for clues.
Such as old photographs, old letters and old
receipts.
4. Oranges are full of nutrients. Especially
vitamin C.

IV Missing - Subject Fragments
Some word groups are fragments because, while
they do have a verb, they lack a subject. e.g.
-The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But
then had little money left over for food.
- The nurse held a smiling baby. Then posed for
the photographers.
In each of the above examples the first statement
is a complete sentence and second word group is
a fragment.

IV Missing - Subject Fragments
-The poor woman paid all her utility bills. But
then had little money left over for food.
- The nurse held a smiling baby. Then posed for
the photographers.

Note that in each fragment the subject is
missing. The first fragments omits the subject
of the verb had and the second fragment omits
the subject of the verb posed.
To correct a missing-subject fragment you
again follow the same two methods that you
used for the correction of the earlier types of
fragments.
(a) Connect the missing-subject fragment to
the sentence that comes before it. Add a
joining word if needed for a smooth
connection as given in the examples that

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

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

Practice 5: Identify the missing subject-fragment in
each of the following items. Then write the correct
version using one of the two methods you have
learned.
1. The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at the
postman. And then went back to sleep.
- The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at the
postman and then it went back to sleep.
2. Each morning, my secretary checks the
answering machine for messages. Then opens the
mail.
-Each morning, my secretary checks the answering

Practice 5: Identify the missing subject-
fragment in each of the following items. Then
write the correct version using one of the two
methods you have learned.
1. The sleeping dog opened one eye to look at
the postman. And then went back to sleep.
2. Each morning, my secretary checks the
answering machine for messages. Then opens
the mail.

3. Maryam skipped her afternoon classes. And
worked on a paper due the next morning.
- Maryam skipped her afternoon. Classes and
she worked on a paper due the next
morning.
4. The movie had melodious music and popular
actors. Yet made little money at the box office.
-The movie had melodious and popular actors.
Yet it made little money at the box office.

3. Maryam skipped her afternoon classes. And
worked on a paper due the next morning.
4. The movie had melodious music and popular
actors. Yet made little money at the box office.

Lesson Review
Answer each question by filling in the correct
word/words in the blank space.
1. To be a sentence, a group of words must contain a
subject and a verb and it must express a complete
thought.
2. Words such as because, until and while are known
as dependent words because word groups that
begin with them depend on another statement to
complete the thought.

Lesson Review
Answer each question by filling in the correct
word/words in the blank space.
1. To be a sentence, a group of words must contain
a subject and a ___________and it must express
_______________________.
2. Words such as because, until and while are
known as_____words because word groups that
begin with them depend on another statement to
complete the thought.

3. Fragments that begin with words such as like,
especially, and for example are known as added-
detail fragments.
4. One way to correct an added-detail fragment is to
create a new sentence by adding a subject and verb
to the fragment.
5. One way to correct a missing-subject fragment is to
add a subject to the fragment.

3. Fragments that begin with words such as like,
especially, and for example are known as
_________fragments.
4. One way to correct an added-detail fragment is to
create a new _______ by adding a subject and
_________to the fragment.
5. One way to correct a missing-subject fragment is to
add a _______ to the fragment.

Test Sentence Fragments
Rewrite the following. Correct any fragments.
1. We go to Murree Hills during the summer
vacations. Whenever we can, of course.
- We go to Murree Hills during the summer
vacations whenever we can, of course.
2. Our literary circle has only two officers. Miss
Niazi being president and Mr. Awan being
secretary treasure.
- Our literary circle has only two officers, Miss
secretary treasure.

Test Sentence Fragments
Rewrite the following. Correct any fragments.
1. We go to Murree Hills during the summer
vacations. Whenever we can, of course.
2. Our literary circle has only two officers. Miss
secretary treasure.

3. Living in the city is not always pleasant. During
the summer months particularly.
- Living in the city is not always pleasant,
particularly during the summer months
4. He hated learning foreign languages. Latin,
French and German especially.
- He hated learning foreign languages, especially
Latin, French and German.

3. Living in the city is not always pleasant. During
the summer months particularly.
4. He hated learning foreign languages. Latin,
French and German especially.

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

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

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

6. When people are scared. The hair on their bodies
tiny muscle. Which can pull the hair straight up. The

The word groups beginning with when & which are
dependent – word fragment, so each needs to be
added to the sentence that comes before or after it.
When people are scared, the hair on their bodies
tiny muscle which can pull the hair straight up. The

With this we come to the end of
this lesson. I hope it will help
you construct more effective
sentences in your academic as
well as professional lives.
Okay then,see you next time.
Allah Hafiz

ENG101- English Comprehension- Lecture 24

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ENG101- English Comprehension- Lecture 24