February 5, 2010, Newsletter Issue #179: Fragments
Tip of the Week
A fragment is a group of words posed as a sentence. However, these word groupings cannot stand alone and make sense.
"Tangled in the jewelry box."
When fragments appear next to other sentences in a specific context, they can be difficult to spot.
"That's when I saw the necklace. Tangled in the jewelry box."
The fragment is usually missing either a subject or a verb. In this case, the question would be what is lying in the middle of the floor? We can answer that if the fragment is in context. In this case the answer is the necklace. To fix the fragment, many times you can put the fragment with another sentence or transform it into a sentence.
"That's when I saw the necklace tangled in the jewelry box."
Or:
"That's when I saw the necklace. It was tangled in the jewelry box."
Some writers use fragments to emphasize other sentences or certain points. If you choose to do so, always make sure the fragment will be easily understood from the surrounding text so your reader will not be confused.
About LifeTips
Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Mary White |
