Grammar Unit #2 - Sentences

Today’s Lesson: CommonSentence Errors

• Fragments

Fragment Sentences• A complete sentence will have at least one subject and one verb.

Sentences are considered fragments when they are missing either a subject or a verb.

– No Subject: Went to the store to buy brownie mix.Added Subject: My dad went to the store to buy brownie mix.

– No Verb: Brownie mix at the store expensive.Added Verb: Brownie mix at the store was expensive.

• In addition to containing a subject and verb, a complete sentence will express a complete thought.

– Incomplete: When he went to the checkout counter to pay for the brownie mix.Complete: When he went to the checkout counter to pay for the brownie mix, he got distracted by a display of cake mixes.

– Incomplete: The variety of yummy cake mixes.Complete: The variety of yummy cake mixes convinced him that he’d rather bake a cake than brownies tonight.

Let’s Practice: Fragments• Could you tell these writers why the fragments are

incomplete sentences? • Also, how would you tell the writers to fix these

sentences?

1. She opened the door. And sneezed.

2. Me and Julio down by the schoolyard.

3. Somewhere over the rainbow.

Answers: Fragments• Fragment sentences are in italics.

1. She opened the door. And sneezed. Problem: Missing a subject.

1. Correction: Combine to make a She opened the door and sneezed.compound predicate.

__________________________________________________________________________2. Me and Julio down by the schoolyard. Problem: Missing a verb.

2. Correction: Add a verb. Me and Julio live down by the schoolyard.

_________________________________________________________________________3. Somewhere over the rainbow. Problem: Missing

subject and verb.

3. Correction: Add a subject and verb. Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly.

Work Time: Popular Song Titles Fragments:

1. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – needs a subject and predicate

2. “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.” – needs a predicate

3. “In the Still of the Night.”– needs a subject and predicate

4. “Under the Boardwalk.”– needs a subject and predicate

• Add 6 of your own using your iPod or CD.

• Explain what should be added to create a sentence.

Sentences:

1. “You Are My

Sunshine”

2. “I Walk the Line”

3. “I Want to Hold Your

Hand.”

• Add 6 of your own using your iPod or CD.

• Prove you are right using color-coding!