Which Of The Following Does Not Contain A Sentence Fragment?A. According To Legend, Diogenes Was Once Sunbathing When He Was Approached By Alexander The Great, Who Was A Fan Of The Eccentric Cynic.B. According To Legend. Diogenes Was Once Sunbathing
What are Sentence Fragments?
A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought or idea. It lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it incomplete and unable to stand alone as a sentence. Sentence fragments can be found in various forms of writing, including fiction, nonfiction, and even everyday conversation.
Identifying Sentence Fragments
To identify a sentence fragment, we need to look for the following characteristics:
- Lack of a subject: A sentence fragment may not have a clear subject, or the subject may be missing altogether.
- Lack of a verb: A sentence fragment may not have a verb, or the verb may be missing or incomplete.
- Incomplete thought: A sentence fragment may express an incomplete thought or idea, making it difficult to understand the intended meaning.
Analyzing the Given Sentences
Let's analyze the two given sentences to determine which one does not contain a sentence fragment.
Sentence A
According to legend, Diogenes was once sunbathing when he was approached by Alexander the Great, who was a fan of the eccentric Cynic.
This sentence is a complete sentence because it has a clear subject (Diogenes), a verb (was sunbathing), and a complete thought. The phrase "who was a fan of the eccentric Cynic" is a dependent clause that provides additional information about Alexander the Great, but it does not make the sentence incomplete.
Sentence B
According to legend. Diogenes was once sunbathing
This sentence is a sentence fragment because it lacks a complete thought. The phrase "According to legend" is a prepositional phrase that sets up the idea, but it does not provide a clear subject or verb. The phrase "Diogenes was once sunbathing" is a complete sentence, but it is not connected to the prepositional phrase, making it a sentence fragment.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, we can conclude that Sentence B does not contain a complete sentence, making it the correct answer.
Tips for Avoiding Sentence Fragments
To avoid sentence fragments, follow these tips:
- Make sure your sentence has a clear subject: Ensure that your sentence has a clear subject, whether it's a noun, a pronoun, or a group of words acting as a subject.
- Use a complete verb: Use a complete verb that expresses the action or state of being in your sentence.
- Connect your ideas: Connect your ideas using conjunctions, prepositions, or other linking words to create complete sentences.
- Read your work aloud: Read your work aloud to ensure that your sentences are clear and complete.
Common Types of Sentence Fragments
Here are some common types of sentence fragments:
- Dependent clauses: Dependent clauses are clauses that cannot stand alone as a sentence. They often start with a subordinating conjunction like "because," "although," or "if."
- Prepositional phrases: Prepositional phrases are phrases that begin with a preposition like "in," "on," or "at." They often express location, time, or manner.
- Infinitive phrases: Infinitive phrases are phrases that begin with the word "to" followed by a verb. They often express purpose or intention.
Examples of Sentence Fragments
Here are some examples of sentence fragments:
- Because I was tired, I went to bed. (This sentence is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a sentence.)
- In the park, the children were playing. (This sentence is a prepositional phrase because it expresses location.)
- To eat a sandwich, you need bread, meat, and cheese. (This sentence is an infinitive phrase because it expresses purpose.)
Conclusion
Q: What is the difference between a sentence fragment and a complete sentence?
A: A complete sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought or idea. It has a clear subject, a verb, and a complete thought. A sentence fragment, on the other hand, is a group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it incomplete and unable to stand alone as a sentence.
Q: Can a sentence fragment be a complete sentence if it is connected to another sentence?
A: No, a sentence fragment cannot be a complete sentence even if it is connected to another sentence. A sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it incomplete and unable to stand alone as a sentence.
Q: What are some common types of sentence fragments?
A: Some common types of sentence fragments include:
- Dependent clauses: Dependent clauses are clauses that cannot stand alone as a sentence. They often start with a subordinating conjunction like "because," "although," or "if."
- Prepositional phrases: Prepositional phrases are phrases that begin with a preposition like "in," "on," or "at." They often express location, time, or manner.
- Infinitive phrases: Infinitive phrases are phrases that begin with the word "to" followed by a verb. They often express purpose or intention.
Q: How can I identify a sentence fragment?
A: To identify a sentence fragment, look for the following characteristics:
- Lack of a subject: A sentence fragment may not have a clear subject, or the subject may be missing altogether.
- Lack of a verb: A sentence fragment may not have a verb, or the verb may be missing or incomplete.
- Incomplete thought: A sentence fragment may express an incomplete thought or idea, making it difficult to understand the intended meaning.
Q: Can a sentence fragment be a complete sentence if it is a quotation?
A: No, a sentence fragment cannot be a complete sentence even if it is a quotation. A sentence fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it incomplete and unable to stand alone as a sentence.
Q: How can I avoid sentence fragments in my writing?
A: To avoid sentence fragments in your writing, follow these tips:
- Make sure your sentence has a clear subject: Ensure that your sentence has a clear subject, whether it's a noun, a pronoun, or a group of words acting as a subject.
- Use a complete verb: Use a complete verb that expresses the action or state of being in your sentence.
- Connect your ideas: Connect your ideas using conjunctions, prepositions, or other linking words to create complete sentences.
- Read your work aloud: Read your work aloud to ensure that your sentences are clear and complete.
Q: What are some common mistakes that can lead to sentence fragments?
A: Some common mistakes that can lead to sentence fragments include:
- Omitting a subject: Omitting a subject can lead to a sentence fragment.
- Omitting a verb: Omitting a verb can lead to a sentence fragment.
- Using a dependent clause as a complete sentence: Using a dependent clause as a complete sentence can lead to a sentence fragment.
- Using a prepositional phrase as a complete sentence: Using a prepositional phrase as a complete sentence can lead to a sentence fragment.
Q: Can sentence fragments be used effectively in writing?
A: Yes, sentence fragments can be used effectively in writing. They can be used to create emphasis, add variety, or convey a sense of urgency. However, they should be used sparingly and with caution to avoid confusing the reader.
Q: How can I use sentence fragments effectively in my writing?
A: To use sentence fragments effectively in your writing, follow these tips:
- Use them sparingly: Use sentence fragments sparingly to avoid confusing the reader.
- Use them to create emphasis: Use sentence fragments to create emphasis or add variety to your writing.
- Use them to convey a sense of urgency: Use sentence fragments to convey a sense of urgency or importance.
- Use them to create a sense of drama: Use sentence fragments to create a sense of drama or tension.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sentence fragments are groups of words that do not express a complete thought or idea. They lack a subject, a verb, or both, making them incomplete and unable to stand alone as a sentence. By understanding the characteristics of sentence fragments and following the tips for avoiding them, you can improve your writing and communication skills.