Correcting the Problem
There are many ways to correct the sentences above. In the first sentence, introduce the subject and in the second add the main verb.
Correct: |
I went to the store yesterday. |
Correct: |
After the classes, I am going to the library. This happens to be my life nowadays. |
Aside from typographical errors, the two most common causes of fragments are the misuse of subordinators and the misuse of prepositions. In order to understand how these errors occur, it is first necessary to define clauses in English.
In English, a clause is defined as a unit that contains both a verb and its subject. As the following examples illustrate, a sentence may consist of a single clause or may contain multiple clauses:
One clause: |
I hate listening to political pundits. |
Two clauses: |
Students dislike Mr. Jones because his classes can be tough. |
Two clauses: |
I am upset that it is snowing in the middle of April. |
Three clauses: |
Since you drew the short straw, you must walk to the gas station while we stay here. |
The easiest way to count the number of clauses in a sentence is to count the number of verbs, then find their corresponding subjects.
Phrase fragments
Incorrect: |
Since I was done with the exam, I put my pen and paper down. Waiting for the teacher to start collecting papers. |
Unattached phrases must be made part of a complete sentence. We can join them either using a comma or a conjunction.
Correct: |
Since I was done with the exam, I put my pen and paper down, waiting for the teacher to start collecting papers. |
Correct: |
I was done with the exam; I put my pen and paper down and was waiting for the teacher to start collecting papers. |