On the back, of this sheet, write a brief news report about a concert, a big game, or some other group event. Circle each collective noun you use. Be sure to use the correct verb form. | NAME DATE DEVELOPING SENTENCES Avoiding and Correcting Fragments I A fragment is a group of words that has been incorrectly punctuated as a complete sentence. But a fragment is only part of a sentence. examples Hatch in the spring. no subject The colorful hummingbird. no verb When the bird swoops and soars. incomplete thought A. Write C for complete or F for fragment beside each item below. 1. 2. _ 3. _ 4. _ 5. _ 6. _ 7. _ 8. _ Each day hummingbirds drink twice their weight in nectar. Fly to tropical climates for the winter. Attracted to the colorful flowers in our yard. Did you know that hummingbirds can be mean Weigh about as much as a nickel. The tiny birds regularly explore new habitats. Some species migrate 500 miles from their summer home. Lay eggs the size of a pea. B. What does each fragment need to become a complete sentence Circle subject or verb. 1. subject verb Attack each other like little dive bombers. 2. subject verb Chicks in their nests on the tree branches. 3. subject verb Feeds the chicks with her four-inch bill. 4. subject verb Need to keep feeders out year around. 5. subject verb Can best be seen hovering at dusk. CHALLENGE On the back of this sheet rewrite two fragments from Part B as complete sentences. Underline the subject and verb. 28 Beginning Writing 1 Saddleback Publishing Inc. 2001 Three Watson Irvine CA 92618 Phone 888 735-2225 Fax 888 734-4010 NAME DATE 0 DEVELOPING SENTENCES Avoiding and Correcting Fragments II 0 Fragments are not complete thoughts. Most fragments are missing either a subject or a verb. A. Each item below contains a fragment. Rearrange the words or change the punctuation to make a complete sentence. You may need to add or remove some words. 1. Thinking she might miss the bus. Jane hurried faster. 2. She stumbled on the curb. Also dropped her books. 3. Got on the bus. Jane saw her friend. 4. When I travel by bus. Can read or sleep. 5. Jane pulled the
