for English Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
Session 2: Fragments (Phrases and Clauses)
Part A:
Diagnostic Test
Identify and underline the sentence fragments (incomplete sentences) in the
following passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between the lines.
(1) In late February, Mr. Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR,
introduced the Three-Child Policy.
Kong.
(2) In order to solve the aging problem in Hong
(3) No one can deny that there are many advantages for the Three-Child Policy.
(4) However, before having any babies, married couple should carefully consider various
factors. (5) Such as the possible impacts on the society, their children and themselves.
Part B: Grammatical Sentences Review
Complete Sentence
A complete sentence consists of three components: (a) a subject, (b) a main verb, and
(c) a complete thought.
A complete sentence can be very short as long as it has all the above components:
Example: John came.
Phrase
A phrase is a sequence of two or more words that cannot stand alone as a comple te
sentence but only as a unit in one sentence.
Example: A presentation with interesting points
Clause
A clause contains a subject and a main verb.
An independent clause is a complete sentence.
Example: Emily studied in the library.
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and begins
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English for Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
with subordinating conjunctions like if, before, although, etc.
Example: After she had finished all her classes.
MAIN CLAUSE
(Independent)
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
(Dependent - rely on the
independent clause for their
meaning.)
PHRASE
SUBJECT
MAIN VERB
COMPLETE BY ITSELF?
Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence, lacking a subject, a verb, or a
complete thought.
In the above examples, a phrase and a dependent clause are sentence fragments.
To convert a phrase into a sentence, we may need to add a subject or a main verb.
Example: A presentation with interesting points A sentence fragment
Revision: She delivered a presentation with interesting points.
To change a dependent clause into a sentence, we have to complete its meaning.
Example: After she had finished all her classes. A sentence fragment
Revision: After she had finished all her classes, Emily studied in the library.
Part C: Concept Boosting Exercises
Exercise C1 (Continued from Part A): Identify and underline the sentence
fragments (incomplete sentences) in the following passage. Then, correct the
sentence errors in the space between the lines.
(1) First of all, married couples should think about their willingness and suitability
of having children.
(2) If they dont want to have a baby for whatever reason, they had
better not to have any.
(3) Otherwise, for those babies accidentally brought to the
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English for Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
world.
(4) They would just suffer in their life.
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
(5) Being a parent is not an easy task.
(6) Married couples should think carefully if they have enough time for their children.
(7) As parents are responsible for the growth of their children.
(8) They need to take
care of both the physical and mental health of their children.
(9) Another point that young couples should consider is their financial situation.
(10) Actually, it can be quite expensive to raise a child.
(11) Therefore, married people
should have a steady income and a reasonably sound financial position.
(12) In order to
ensure their children can have a high quality of life.
Exercise C2: Identify and underline the sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
in the following passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between
the lines.
(1) Although the policy of CMI (Chinese as the Medium of Instruction) has been
introduced for over 10 years.
(2) Many students and their parents still think it reduces
class time for learning English.
(3) As a result, it affects students English However, proficiency.
(4) this is just a misconception about the correlation between the teaching
medium and language learning.
impart knowledge.
(5) The teaching medium is only a tool to be used to
(6) Rather than a means for language learning.
(7) In fact, English
learning is not confined to classroom but can be conducted in many other ways.
(8) For
example, reading English newspapers, listening to English songs and watching English
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English for Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
movies or television programmes.
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
(9) In addition, schools can introduce other measures
to boost students English competence.
(10) Such as hiring more native English
teachers, reducing the class size for English lessons, and organising more English
activities.
(11) These can help students overcome their fear of learning English.
(12)
Which in turn can improve their language ability.
Exercise C3: Identify and underline the sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
in the following passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between
the lines.
(1) What is the meaning of launching a war?
(2) It just means death.
(3)
Sorrowful tears, *relentless unrest and heart-breaking cries will *afflict every individual
during war time.
(4) Is it right for a country to fight a war?
never a reasonable ground for any country to initiate a war.
inhumane.
(5) In my opinion, there is
(6) Because it is simply
(7) It is not an effective way to solve conflicts and it will ruin the economies
of the countries involved.
(8) Besides damaging the economy of a country.
impacts on us.
and injuries.
(9) Wars will have more adverse
(10) One of the most heartrending outcomes would be countless deaths
(11) With most innocent and unarmed citizens being the victims.
(12)
Therefore, we should strive to avoid starting a war as much as possible.
(13)
Unfortunately, there were just many unjustifiable wars in our history.
(14) For instance,
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English for Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
the one against Iraq.
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
(15) Although the US claimed it was necessary to fight this battle
to identify if any nuclear weapons had been produced by Iraq.
(16) There should be
other ways to achieve the same purpose.
*Relentless: Never stops or never becomes less intense
*Afflict: To cause continuous suffering
Exercise C4: Identify and underline the sentence fragments (incomplete sentences)
in the following passage. Then, correct the sentence errors in the space between
the lines.
(1) In this proposal, we wish to recommend ways to enhance the competitiveness of
the tourism industry.
(2) And attract more tourists to come to Hong Kong.
(3) First, we can build a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak.
only one cruise terminal in Hong Kong.
Sha Tsui.
its limit.
(4) Currently, we have
(5) And that is, the Ocean Terminal in Tsim
(6) As it was built many years ago.
(7) Its capacity has now almost reached
(8) It can hardly cope with the increasing number of tourists who like to travel
on a cruise liner.
(9) A new cruise terminal at Kai Tak can not only ease the capacity
pressure of the Ocean Terminal, but can also enhance our competitiveness against other
Asian countries.
(10) Like Japan, Singapore and Thailand in attracting high-spending
tourists.
(11) Secondly, we may consider opening a niche shopping centre.
(12) Where
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English for Academic Studies (Workshop)
Semester 1, 2011/12
Session 2: Fragments
PolyU HKCC
tourists can buy special local products.
(13) From our survey, we found that many
tourists wish to enjoy a different shopping experience in Hong Kong.
(14) Although
there are lots of gigantic shopping malls in different Hong Kong districts and the prices
are attractive with no sales tax imposed.
products in those shopping malls.
(15) However, tourists can only find branded
(16) We suggest the government collaborate with
some property developers to create a unique shopping centre that sells special local
products to broaden tourists shopping experience in Hong Kong.
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