The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor, marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the sentences in the group is a fragment. Could you tell these writers why the fragments are incomplete sentences?
1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.
2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.
3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did not encourage students' questions.
4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult to distinguish between them.
5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and a few glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for anything.
6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially when you are on your first date, you feel that you should be in control.
7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious, and elite group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.
8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to himself and his parents that he is a man.
9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that we would never enter that door in her home again.
10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this makes me happy.
11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife. Hoping she would accept his apology.
12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends had a little too much to drink.
13. Although it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour. My old rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me.
14. With my brother standing by my side, I reached for the pot handle. Tilting the pot way too much caused the boiling water to spill.
15. The small, one-story houses are all the same size and style. With no difference except the color.
16. Being a friend of mine like he was when we first joined the soccer team. Together we learned a lot.
Locate fragments in the following sentences.
1. How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for the club.
2. For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" being all levels of government, and "quasi-political" churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.
3. For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder. Adding worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.
4. Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face. As if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.
5. A president is an appointed leader. Someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes. Assumes through his past record as a politician, over the years' buildup of experience and handling situations.
Rewrite the following sentences.
1. He enjoys walking through the country. He often goes backpacking on his vacations.
2. He often watched TV when there were only reruns. She preferred to read instead.
3. They weren't dangerous criminals they were detectives in disguise.
4. I didn't know which job I wanted I was too confused to decide.