How To Change Sentence Fragments?

1. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

While waiting for her neighbor to move the car that blocked the driveway.

To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn.

By making sure that no one will park across the driveway again.

The sentence "To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn." is a complete sentence because it has a subject (Michael) and a predicate (had to back across the corner of the lawn). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought and are missing either a subject or a predicate.

Explanation

The sentence "To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn." is a complete sentence because it has a subject (Michael) and a predicate (had to back across the corner of the lawn). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought and are missing either a subject or a predicate.

2. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by her dress.

Because she didn't want to tell where she had bought the strange outfit.

When we finally heard that she had made the dress herself.

The sentence "Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by her dress." is a complete sentence because it has a subject ("I") and a predicate ("was still shocked by her dress"). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought or lack a subject or predicate.

Explanation

The sentence "Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by her dress." is a complete sentence because it has a subject ("I") and a predicate ("was still shocked by her dress"). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought or lack a subject or predicate.

3. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

In the hiding place that Carl had been using for years to get away from the noisy house.

By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was over.

Before planning another family get-together at the already crowded park.

The sentence "By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was over." is a complete sentence because it has a subject ("my favorite television show") and a predicate ("was over"). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they are missing either a subject or a predicate, or they do not express a complete thought.

Explanation

The sentence "By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was over." is a complete sentence because it has a subject ("my favorite television show") and a predicate ("was over"). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they are missing either a subject or a predicate, or they do not express a complete thought.

4. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

By the time Frances found out how expensive the wallpapering job would be.

After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself.

Before picking out an interesting wallpaper pattern that went well with her furniture.

The sentence "After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself" is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject (she) and a predicate (decided to do the work herself) and expresses a complete thought. The other two sentences in the group are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought and are missing either a subject or a predicate.

Explanation

The sentence "After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself" is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject (she) and a predicate (decided to do the work herself) and expresses a complete thought. The other two sentences in the group are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought and are missing either a subject or a predicate.

5. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment

Who borrowed Stefanie's car Saturday night.

The nineteen-year-old car looked out of place next to the new models.

Which the salesman was surprised to find in such good shape.

The sentence "The nineteen-year-old car looked out of place next to the new models" is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject ("The nineteen-year-old car") and a predicate ("looked out of place next to the new models"). It forms a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought or lack a subject and/or predicate.

Explanation

The sentence "The nineteen-year-old car looked out of place next to the new models" is not a sentence fragment because it contains a subject ("The nineteen-year-old car") and a predicate ("looked out of place next to the new models"). It forms a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they do not express a complete thought or lack a subject and/or predicate.

6. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

Because Manuel was sure he had heard the same strange story many months ago.

Although I will never forget how cold we were when we lost our heat last winter.

Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything.

The correct answer is "Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything." This sentence is a complete sentence because it contains a subject (I) and a predicate (took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything." This sentence is a complete sentence because it contains a subject (I) and a predicate (took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

7. Coach Moyer exemplified her frustrated behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her team at a time when they needed her.

Complete

The correct answer is "Complete" because the sentence is grammatically correct and expresses a complete thought. The phrase "by walking off the field in the middle of a game" provides additional information about how Coach Moyer exemplified her frustrated behavior, while the clause "leaving her team at a time when they needed her" explains the consequence of her actions.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Complete" because the sentence is grammatically correct and expresses a complete thought. The phrase "by walking off the field in the middle of a game" provides additional information about how Coach Moyer exemplified her frustrated behavior, while the clause "leaving her team at a time when they needed her" explains the consequence of her actions.

8. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

To apply for a job at the new store in the mall.

Asking the interviewer how often he would have to work on weekends.

Shaking his new boss's hand, Tony knew he would like working there.

The correct answer is "Shaking his new boss's hand, Tony knew he would like working there." This sentence is a complete sentence because it has both a subject (Tony) and a predicate (knew he would like working there). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they are missing a subject or a predicate, or they do not express a complete thought. "To apply for a job at the new store in the mall" is a prepositional phrase and does not have a subject or predicate. "Asking the interviewer how often he would have to work on weekends" is a gerund phrase and does not have a subject or predicate.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Shaking his new boss's hand, Tony knew he would like working there." This sentence is a complete sentence because it has both a subject (Tony) and a predicate (knew he would like working there). It expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. The other two sentences are sentence fragments because they are missing a subject or a predicate, or they do not express a complete thought. "To apply for a job at the new store in the mall" is a prepositional phrase and does not have a subject or predicate. "Asking the interviewer how often he would have to work on weekends" is a gerund phrase and does not have a subject or predicate.

9. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years.

Many of his customers coming back three or four times over the summer.

His business been so busy that he has very little time for anything else.

The sentence "My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years." is a complete sentence because it contains a subject (my brother) and a predicate (has been running a charter fishing boat for five years).

Explanation

The sentence "My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years." is a complete sentence because it contains a subject (my brother) and a predicate (has been running a charter fishing boat for five years).

10. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

When my cousin moved to Troy, New York, after he finished school.

After he went to all the trouble of fixing up his apartment.

While living there, he made very few friends.

The correct answer is "While living there, he made very few friends." This sentence is not a fragment because it contains a subject ("he") and a verb ("made"). It also expresses a complete thought by indicating that the person made very few friends while living in Troy, New York.

Explanation

The correct answer is "While living there, he made very few friends." This sentence is not a fragment because it contains a subject ("he") and a verb ("made"). It also expresses a complete thought by indicating that the person made very few friends while living in Troy, New York.

11. Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.

Mrs. Blanco gone to visit her mother at the hospital.

Finding a parking space there is usually easy during the week.

Driving in the city during the evening rush hour.

The sentence "Mrs. Blanco gone to visit her mother at the hospital" is not a complete sentence because it is missing a subject and a verb. It should be "Mrs. Blanco has gone to visit her mother at the hospital" to be a complete sentence.

Explanation

The sentence "Mrs. Blanco gone to visit her mother at the hospital" is not a complete sentence because it is missing a subject and a verb. It should be "Mrs. Blanco has gone to visit her mother at the hospital" to be a complete sentence.

12. Cebu Technological University offers many majors in engineering, such as electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering.

Complete

Fragment: dependent; Because the Cebu Technological University offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

Fragment: after thought; Cebu Technological University offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering.

The given answer is "Complete" because it provides a full and grammatically correct sentence that can stand alone. It does not require any additional information or context to make sense.

Explanation

The given answer is "Complete" because it provides a full and grammatically correct sentence that can stand alone. It does not require any additional information or context to make sense.

13. Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands, we believe the proposed amendments should be passed.

Complete

The given correct answer is "Complete" because the sentence includes a dependent clause (Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands) followed by an independent clause (We believe the proposed amendments should be passed). The sentence has a clear subject (We) and a verb (believe), and it expresses a complete thought.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "Complete" because the sentence includes a dependent clause (Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands) followed by an independent clause (We believe the proposed amendments should be passed). The sentence has a clear subject (We) and a verb (believe), and it expresses a complete thought.

14. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife.

Complete

Fragment: dependent; Making up his mind quickly since Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife.

Fragment: -ing; Making up his mind quickly, Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife.

The correct answer is "Fragment: -ing; Making up his mind quickly, Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife." This is because the sentence starts with the present participle phrase "Making up his mind quickly," followed by the main clause "Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife." The phrase "Making up his mind quickly" is a dependent clause and does not express a complete thought on its own, making it a fragment.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Fragment: -ing; Making up his mind quickly, Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife." This is because the sentence starts with the present participle phrase "Making up his mind quickly," followed by the main clause "Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife." The phrase "Making up his mind quickly" is a dependent clause and does not express a complete thought on its own, making it a fragment.

15. Since 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.

Complete

The given correct answer is "Fragment: dependent" because the sentence starts with a dependent clause ("Since it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour") which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It lacks a main subject and verb. The rest of the sentence ("my old rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me") is an independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Therefore, the sentence is a fragment.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "Fragment: dependent" because the sentence starts with a dependent clause ("Since it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour") which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It lacks a main subject and verb. The rest of the sentence ("my old rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me") is an independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Therefore, the sentence is a fragment.