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How to Avoid Writing a Sentence Fragment

Using correct grammar and sentence structure is vital if you want to convey your thoughts accurately. You also want your writing to hold the reader's attention. Nothing is more annoying than reading a manuscript littered with grammatical errors. The error of writing sentence fragments is a common error. Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that don't express a complete thought.

Instructions

    • 1

      Have a subject for every verb. The subject is the actor in the sentence. The verb is the action taken in a sentence.

    • 2

      Make sure all of your dependent clauses have a completing thought. An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. A dependent clause may have a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought. Thus, dependent clauses need to be joined with an independent clause. Sentences that begin with after, when, because, before, since, etc., need a completing thought.

    • 3

      Proofread your writing. All writers benefit from proofreading. Make sure that each sentence makes sense when you read it back to yourself.

    • 4

      Read great literature. When you read great literature, you learn how master's of the craft write. Reading great literature also teaches you proper sentence structure and style. By knowing what good writing is, you will recognize the bad.

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