College Composition / Unit 3 CMP 0055 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Fixing a Fragment
The idea
There are two main ways to fix a fragment: attach it to the sentence it belongs to, or rewrite it as a complete sentence.
In practice
Work through the choice in order. First, find the sentence the fragment depends on; most fragments follow the sentence they expand. Second, if the fragment adds detail to that sentence, attach it with a comma or a connecting word: "Expenses kept rising, especially rent and childcare." Third, if it carries a separate idea, give it a subject and a verb: "These costs include rent and childcare." Fourth, if it is a dependent clause, either attach it to the neighboring independent clause or remove the subordinating word so it can stand alone. Fifth, reread the result to confirm that the meaning has not changed.
Where people slip
Removing because or although fixes the grammar but can delete the relationship the writer meant. When the reason matters, attach the clause instead of stripping its connecting word.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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