Part writing

Fragments , run-ons , complete sentences

Sentences and Fragments

Every sentence has two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject names whom or
what the sentence is about. The predicate tells what the subject does, has, or is. The
predicate can also tell what the subject is like.

Several whales / were swimming in the bay. (subject) / (predicate)

A sentence must have a subject and a predicate to express a complete thought. A group
of words that lacks a subject, a predicate, or both is a fragment. Sometimes a fragment has
a subject and a verb, but the thought still isn’t complete.

Fragment: Were swimming in the bay. [lacks of a subject]

The king and all his men. [lacks of a predicate]
Before we went to soccer practice. [incomplete thought]

Example
Lisa's album is not only influencing many teens. Helping restore the small business
economy. In her hometown of Buriram.
Complete thoughts:
Lisa's album is not only influencing many teens, but it is also helping restore the small
business economy in her hometown of Buriram.
 Run-on
A similar error occurs when writing two or more sentences together with no punctuation
at all. This is called a run-on sentence.
A sentence should express a complete thought. Each complete thought in your writing
should come to a full stop. A run on sentence is two or more complete sentences run
together as one.

Run-on: My roommate wants to look like Jackson Wang he spends hours in the gym
lifting weights.

Example
Lisa is a Thai rapper and dancer she is a member of the South Korean girl band.
How to correct:
● Lisa is a Thai rapper, dancer, and a member of the South Korean girl band.
● Lisa is a Thai rapper and dancer. She is a member of the South Korean girl band.
Practice 1: Match the term with its definition.
a. fragment b. run-on c. complete sentence
_____ 1. A sentence error caused by writing one sentence into another without
any punctuation.
_____ 2. A sentence has subjects and a predicate that expresses a complete
thought.
_____ 3. A group of words doesn’t state a complete thought.

Practice 2: Identify F=Fragment/ RO=Runs-on/ C= Complete sentence

_______1. If you don't update the drivers, you become out of date.
_______2. The company didn't make money it went out of business.
_______3. If you are an expat living in another country
_______4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose
from. It was difficult to distinguish between them.
_______5. The volunteers were divided into two groups the first
group received the medicine.
______6. I like to sing in the shower is my favorite part of the day.

______7. When I get older I want to have a big family I like big families.
______ 8. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was
a bad experience.
______ 9. Finding someone to design your company's website is easy.
______10. Tourists from Hong Kong made up the largest group of visitors
who booked activities in Thailand.
From practice 2, Rewrite the items that were fragments or runs-on.

2. The company didn't make money it went out of business.

3. If you are an expat living in another country

4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was

difficult to distinguish between them.

5. The volunteers were divided into two groups the first group received the
medicine.

6. I like to sing in the shower is my favorite part of the day.

7. When I get older I want to have a big family I like big families.

8. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad
experience.
Practice 3: Identify F=Fragment and R=Runs-on in the following paragraphs.
Underline runs-on and highlight fragments.

In the past few months, I've been trying to be healthier and feel better
overall. I now exercise regularly by going for walks or doing easy workouts at
home I'm also eating better by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
to my meals. cutting back on sugary and processed foods, too. It's not always
easy to stick to these changes, but tracking my progress and setting achievable
goals help me stay motivated. started meditating and being mindful to manage
stress and think more clearly. As I continue on this journey, I'm seeing positive
changes in my energy, mood, these encourages me to keep going with my healthy
lifestyle.
Practice 4: Identify F=Fragment and R=Runs-on in the following paragraphs.
Underline runs-on and highlight fragments.

A healthy lifestyle mainly includes following healthy eating habits,

taking adequate sleep and squeezing in some time. For physical exercise
each day. However most people get so caught up with their daily grinds
that they neglect their health. Ignoring your health is the worst thing you
can do to yourself many people realize this only after they develop some
health issues.

It is time people should understand that our health is of utmost

importance. and it is only when we are healthy would we be able to work
efficiently on other aspects of our lives. Developing healthy habits
requires just a few changes in the daily routine. These changes eventually
become a habit and. before you know you are on your way to a healthy
lifestyle.
It is better to take out some time to follow the healthy habits
shared above. When you are still young and fit to avoid health issues later
in life. It is essential to follow a healthy lifestyle to keep various illnesses
at bay and live wholly.
 PART: WRITING 2
Simple Sentences
Simple sentences are the expression of complete, single thought.
They may also be defined as an independent clause. This clause
may have:

- only one subject and one verb (SV);

Jack will go to Spain next summer.

- more than one subject (SSV);

Jack and his friends will go to Spain next summer.

- more than one verb (SVV);

Jack will go and stay at the biggest famous hotel in Spain.

- more than one subject and one verb (SSVV);

Jack and his friends will go and stay at the biggest hotel in Spain.

Example
My best friend in the whole world is coming over to my house to visit
me this afternoon.
My family usually likes to travel abroad.
I stepped through the door of the stylishly decorated room.
Professor Maple’s intelligent students completed and turned in their
homework.
 Compound Sentences

A sentence with two or more independent clauses is a compound

sentence. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that can
stand alone because it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought.
These independent clauses are joined by a conjunction (FANBOYS:
or, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Compound sentences use a conjunction (or sometimes a semicolon)
to join two or more equal, independent clauses.

• The conjunction ‘and’ combines two similar thoughts.

• ‘But’ (and 'yet') show a contrast between thoughts.
• ‘Or’ indicates that only one of the two is correct.
• 'Nor' is used like 'or' when neither thought is true.
• ‘So’ shows that the second thought follows on from the first.
• 'For' can sometimes be used to mean 'because.'

Example
I like all sports, but swimming is my favorite.
The ball went out of the park, and everyone rose to cheer.
Do you want to take them to the zoo, or would it be wiser to
go to the park?
I have never visited Moscow, nor have I been to St. Petersburg.
He felt cold, for it was snowing.
I have known Peter for a long time, yet I have never
understood him.
Paul was feeling sick, so he went to the doctor.
 Complex Sentences
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause (main clause) and one or
more dependent clause (subordinate clause).
A dependent clause either lacks a subject or a verb or has both a subject and a
verb that does not express a complete thought.
A complex sentence always has a subordinator (as, because, since, after,
although, when) or a relative pronoun (who, that, which).
The dependent clause is set off by a comma when it precedes the main clause.

Example
Although I like every sport, I enjoy golf most of all.
I will see you before you leave.
The doctor recognized the man who entered his office
Since you started the job, why not finish it?

Practice Practice 1: Match the term with its definition.

a. simple sentence b. compound sentence c. complex sentence
______ 1. a sentence that has two or more main clauses
______ 2. a sentence that has only one main clause and no
subordinate
clauses
______ 3. a sentence that has one main clause and at least one
subordinate clause.
Practice 2: Identify types of these sentences.
a. simple sentence b. compound sentence c. complex sentence
______ 1. Both interstate highways and U.S. routes generally run cross-
country.
______ 2. Interstates are bigger than local roads, but local roads are
more scenic.
______ 3. If you travel on a state road, be prepared to travel slowly.
______ 4. Most commuters take the roads that get them to work fastest.

______ 5. Local roads usually have many stop lights or stop signs.
______ 6. Black squirrels are rare, but there are many at this university.
______ 7. I can’t believe that there are so many black squirrels on this
campus.
______ 8. Some people doubt black squirrels exist until they see them.
______ 9. The black squirrels’ coats are actually quite striking.
______ 10. The squirrel that I was just observing acted tame.
Practice 3: Combine sentences into a correct compound sentence or complex
sentence with the given connectors.
1. (a) I had planned to drive to Mexico.
(b) My roommate wants to go to Canada. (but)

2. (a) You must hurry up. (b) You will miss the train.(or)

3. (a) Ms.Kathy couldn’t lecture for the entire hour. (b) She had a sore throat.
(for)

4. (a) I don’t speak French. (b) I don’t write it.(nor)

5. (a) You want to.(b) You don’t need to go.(unless)

6. (a) I refused to admit my mistake. (b) I suspected I was wrong.

(although)

7. (a) We lit the campfire. (b) Lee told ghost stories.(after)

Practice 4: Write your own simple sentences. Then, continue the simple
sentence idea using compound sentence(s) and complex sentence(s).

Example
Simple sentence: The shirts are on sale.
Compound Sentence: The shirts are on sale so I buy a shirt for my
brother’s birthday.
Complex Sentence: Even though I don’t have much money, the shirts are on
sale so I buy a shirt for my brother’s birthday.

Simple sentence:
______________________________________________________
Compound Sentence:
______________________________________________________
Complex Sentence:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Practice 5: Choose the best answer.
1. Our new director is so experienced __(and/ for/ but)___ easy-
going. I believe we will get on well.
2. The container was broken, __(and/ so/ for)___ they changed it with
the new one.
3. Amy studied very hard for the exam, __(and/ or/ but)___ she
couldn’t get a passing grade.
4. Kitty felt really sick this morning__(so/ but/ for)___ she went to
school so as not to miss anything.

5. It’s snowing outside__(and/ but/ so)___ you should take your

gloves and scarf with you.
6. We can go to the beach ___(and/ or/ but)____ to the mountain.
I don't really mind.
7. He’s overweight and feels terrible, ___(and/ or/ yet)____ he
continues to eat lots of cakes and biscuits.
8. He’s overweight, ___(so/ but/ for)____ he eats too many cakes
and biscuits.

9. He’s seventy-two, ___(so/ for/ yet)____ he still swims, runs and

plays tennis regularly.
10. I’m afraid of heights, ___(and/ or/ yet)____ I appreciate the view
from the top of this building.
11. I have to be on time, ___(and/ so/ for)____ my boss will be
annoyed if I’m late.
12. Do you like chocolate ____(and/ or/ but)_____ vanilla ice cream
better?
 PART: LANGUAGE FOCUS - Subject-verb agreement

Making subjects and verbs agree

A subject and a verb must agree in number. A singular noun subject takes a
singular form of the verb. A plural noun subject takes a plural form of the verb.
The quarterback calls the plays. The quarterbacks call the plays.

Notice that in the present tense the singular form of the verb ends in –s.
Verbs and subject pronouns must also agree in number.
He speaks. They speak.

The verbs be, do, and have can be main verbs or helping verbs. They should
always agree with the subject no matter how they are used in the sentence.
They have a truck.
In a verb phrase, it is the helping verb that must agree with the subject. I am
speaking. We are speaking.

Problems with locating the Subject

It can be difficult to make the subject and verb agree if you have trouble identifying the
subject. A prepositional phrase might come between the subject and the verb, or words
such as here or there might begin the sentence and throw you off. You can check the
subject-verb agreement by rearranging the sentence or dropping a prepositional phrase.

Here are your papers.

Your papers are here.

The nurses at the clinic are always friendly.

The nurses are always friendly.

To find the subject in the questions, make the sentence declarative

Does the bright light bother you?
The bright light does bother you.
 Collective nouns and other special subjects

A collective noun names a group. The collective noun has a

singular meaning when used to tell about a group that acts
as a unit. The noun has a plural meaning when used to
describe members of the group acting as individuals.

The jury announces its verdict. [unit]

The jury were arguing among themselves. [individuals]
Twenty dollars was the total cost. [unit]
Twenty dollars were dropped from the bag. [individuals]

Certain nouns end in –s but are singular: mathematics, mumps, news, and etc.

Other nouns, such as scissors and pliers, end in –s but take a plural verb.

The title of a book or other work of art is always singular even if the noun in the
title is plural.
“Friends” is the name of my poem.
Indefinite pronouns as subjects
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a specific
person, place, or thing. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular,
including another, anyone, each, either, everyone, much, neither, nothing,
and someone. Others are always plural, including both, few, many, others,
and several.

Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural: all, any,

most, none, and some. Whether the pronoun is singular or plural depends
upon the prepositional phrase that follows the pronoun. If the object of
the preposition is singular, the pronoun is singular and requires the
singular form of the verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, the
pronoun and the verb must be plural.
Some of the money was missing. [singular] Some of the passengers were
injured. [plural]
Practice 5: Choose the best answer.
1. Our new director is so experienced __(and/ for/ but)___ easy-going. I believe
we will get on well.
2. The container was broken, __(and/ so/ for)___ they changed it with the new
one.
3. Amy studied very hard for the exam, __(and/ or/ but)___ she couldn’t get a
passing grade.
4. Kitty felt really sick this morning__(so/ but/ for)___ she went to school so as
not to miss anything.

5. It’s snowing outside__(and/ but/ so)___ you should take your gloves and
scarf with you.
6. We can go to the beach ___(and/ or/ but)____ to the mountain. I don't really
mind.
7. He’s overweight and feels terrible, ___(and/ or/ yet)____ he continues to eat
lots of cakes and biscuits.
8. He’s overweight, ___(so/ but/ for)____ he eats too many cakes and biscuits.

9. He’s seventy-two, ___(so/ for/ yet)____ he still swims, runs and plays tennis
regularly.
10. I’m afraid of heights, ___(and/ or/ yet)____ I appreciate the view from the
top of this building.
11. I have to be on time, ___(and/ so/ for)____ my boss will be annoyed if I’m
late.
12. Do you like chocolate ____(and/ or/ but)_____ vanilla ice cream better?

13. First we drove to the airport, ___(or/ but/ and)____ then we got on the
plane.
14. I did not want to miss the train ____(and/ so/ for)____ I left home early in
the morning.
15. Sonya gained weight easily,___ (and/ but/ for)____ she always eats unhealthy
food.
 PART: LANGUAGE FOCUS
- Subject-verb agreement

Making subjects and verbs agree

A subject and a verb must agree in number. A singular noun subject
takes a singular form of the verb. A plural noun subject takes a plural
form of the verb.
The quarterback calls the plays. The quarterbacks call the plays.

Notice that in the present tense the singular form of the verb ends
in –s.
Verbs and subject pronouns must also agree in number.
He speaks. They speak.

The verbs be, do, and have can be main verbs or helping verbs. They
should always agree with the subject no matter how they are used in
the sentence.
They have a truck.
In a verb phrase, it is the helping verb that must agree with the
subject. I am speaking. We are speaking.
Problems with locating the Subject
It can be difficult to make the subject and verb agree if you have
trouble identifying the subject. A prepositional phrase might come
between the subject and the verb, or words such as here or there
might begin the sentence and throw you off. You can check the
subject-verb agreement by rearranging the sentence or dropping a
prepositional phrase.

Here are your papers.

Your papers are here.

The nurses at the clinic are always friendly.

The nurses are always friendly.

To find the subject in the questions, make the sentence declarative.

Does the bright light bother you?
The bright light does bother you.
Collective nouns and other special subjects
A collective noun names a group. The collective noun has a
singular meaning when used to tell about a group that acts as a
unit. The noun has a plural meaning when used to describe
members of the group acting as individuals.

The jury announces its verdict. [unit]

The jury were arguing among themselves. [individuals] Twenty
dollars was the total cost. [unit]
Twenty dollars were dropped from the bag. [individuals]

Certain nouns end in –s but are singular: mathematics, mumps,

news, and etc.

Other nouns, such as scissors and pliers, end in –s but take a

plural verb.

The title of a book or other work of art is always singular even if

the noun in the title is plural.
“Friends” is the name of my poem.
Indefinite pronouns as subjects
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a specific
person, place, or thing. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular,
including another, anyone, each, either, everyone, much, neither, nothing,
and someone. Others are always plural, including both, few, many, others,
and several.

Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural: all, any,

most, none, and some. Whether the pronoun is singular or plural depends
upon the prepositional phrase that follows the pronoun. If the object of
the preposition is singular, the pronoun is singular and requires the
singular form of the verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, the
pronoun and the verb must be plural.

Some of the money was missing. [singular]

Some of the passengers were injured. [plural]
Practice
Practice 1: Choose the correct verb in parentheses for each sentence.
1. The taste of the bananas ______ (is / are) delicious.
2. The sentences in the paragraph ______ (was / were) long.
3. The punctuation in the sentences ______ (seems / seem) correct.
4. Flooding of the streets ______ (causes / cause) a traffic jam.
5. Some frogs beneath the surface ______ (has / have) swum into view.

6. The biggest drawback of gardening ______ (is / are) long hours of

hard work.
7. Efforts to improve the soil almost always ______ (seems / seem) a
good
solution.
8. Different pH levels ______ (is / are) often a factor in choosing what
to grow.
9. The class ______ (voices / voice) conflicting opinions on political
issues.
10. ______ (Is /Are) “The Bells” your favorite poem by Edgar Allan Poe?
11. Many a comma and semicolon ______ (has / have) been used
incorrectly.
12. Cereal, as well as fruits, ______ (makes / make) a fine breakfast
food.
13. Maria, together with Arthur, ______ (presents / present) as the
speakers.
14. None of them ______ (is / are) ready to begin the test.
15. Either of the candidates ______ (is / are) a good choice.
Practice 2: Choose the correct subject-verb agreement.
1. a. The old gardener creates glorious gardens at the estate.
b. He have worked for the estate for nearly fifty years.
c. The owners of the estate considers him a member of the family.

2. a. The department of natural resources are holding a fund-raiser.

b. There is two requests for donations on your desk.
c. Have the new recycling bins arrived yet?

3. a. Does the broadcasters know that player’s name?

b. Here is a roster of all players and their positions.
c. The slugger, after several meetings, agree to the contract.

4. a. This computer, with all its new software, do almost anything.

b. There is a writing program and a graphics program for this
computer.
c. Has the new version of WordWise come out yet?

5. a. Has anyone seen the new movie Stand Alone?

b. Many of the critics has praised it.
c. Much of the movie take place in Oregon.

6. a. Most of this chapter concern the travels of the authors.

b. Both seems to dislike traveling most of the time.
c. Each prefers to stay at home whenever possible.

7. a. All of us perform this section of the music adequately.

b. Both soprano soloists performs arias in the show.
c. Everything depend on the performance of the orchestra.