2019-10-22 Writing: fragments

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - Notes from all classes
---
Homework: p. 5 and 6 - Read the paragraphs and answer the questions about each one.
1 The conclusion. (It includes the main reason, not just the opinion.)
2 11 (All the sentences between the topic and conclusion are supporting sentences.)
  It tells a story.
1 The concluding sentence is longer and has surprising information.
2 11. They give examples.
---
p. 7 - Use the words from part B to match synonyms with part A. Then complete the sentences in part C.
angry - mad
patient - calm
grown up - mature
funny - amusing
trustworthy - dependable
caring - kind
tense - nervous
sad - unhappy
1 mad
2 calm (“patient” is better)
3 nervous
4 mature
5 dependable (“trustworthy” is better)
6 amusing
---
“amusing” and “I’m using” sound almost the same when you speak quickly

[verb]able = able to be [verb]ed / we can [verb] it
reasonable = able to be reasoned (with) / we can reason with him/her
acceptable = able to be accepted / we can accept it
affordable = able to be afforded / we can afford it
dependable = able to be depended (on) / we can depend on him/her

Remember that “fun” and “funny” have different meanings.
---
Sentence Fragments
---
A sentence needs at least one subject and one verb.
	(Some verbs additionally need one or two objects, possibly together with a preposition or two.)
	I put. - fragment, because there’s no object
	I put the book. - still fragment, because there’s only one object
	I put the book on the table. - correct
---
Exception: Imperative sentences (instructions) don’t need a subject. We understand the subject is “you”.
Don’t send text messages. = This is an order. I am instructing you not to send texts.
You don’t send text messages. = This is a fact. You (for whatever reason) don’t text other people.
---
A sentence also needs to express a complete thought.
	When I got home. - fragment, because the meaning is just a specific time, not an action
	If it rains. - fragment, because the meaning is a condition, not what will happen in that condition
---
Fragments are always incorrect in academic writing, but they are very common in conversations, because we don’t repeat information that the other person already said or asked.
---
predicate = the verb and any objects and/or prepositions that go with it
---
Homework: englishforeveryone.org handout - identify Sentences and Fragments, and add words to fix the fragments