How to Spot a Fragment

Put each phrase through a simple test:

• Does it have a verb?
• Does it have a subject?
• Can the phrase make sense standing alone (is it a dependent clause or phrase)?

Any phrase that answers "yes" to all three questions is a sentence. If any of the answers are "no," then it is a fragment.

What is a fragment , how can you fix it?

A FRAGMENT IS AN INCOMPLETE SENTENCE.

Correcting a Fragment
There are two easy ways to correct a fragment. We'll use the example above to demonstrate each method:

1) Add a comma and connect the clause to the sentence

"In class today we talked about Byron's poem and its main characters, as well as Byron's own life and how it related to his works."

2) If the sentence becomes too long or wordy, add the necessary subject-verb to the clause, creating a second sentence.

"I class today we talked about Byron's poem and its main characters. We also discussed Byron's own life and how it related to his works."

Formal and informal vocabulary

Dear students
I have entered some examples of formal and informal words to our blog. When we write to people we contact for education, business or other formal matters, we prefer to use formal vocabulary. When we write to friends and family, we prefer informal vocabulary.
For example when we are doing the following, we prefer to use formal language:

•          filling in application forms
•          making reservations
•          writing a job application
•          writing a CV
•          writing a personal statement
•          writing e-mails of letters to our business contacts
•          making requests or enquiries from our professors/teachers via e-mail

On the other hand, when we are doing the following we use informal language:

•            contacting friends and family
•            writing to fiends to plan leisure time activities  
•            writing to friends to share recent news
•            writing invitations to friends and family

When you know the difference, it is easier for you to choose vocabulary and language.

formal and informal vocabulary

MORE MIXED EXAMPLES
INFORMAL                        FORMAL
a bit                                      a little
a lot                                      a great deal
about                                    approximately
about                                    concerning
ask about                              enquire
ask for                                  request
big                                        major
bigger                                   greater
but                                        however
buy                                       purchase
choose                                 select
earlier                                   previous
find                                       locate
get                                        obtain/acquire
get smaller                            decrease

keep                                     retain
let                                         permit
make sure                            ensure
many                                    numerous
need                                    require
promise                               assure

so                                       consequently
unhappy                              dissatisfied
want                                    wish

formal and informal words

NOUNS

INFORMAL                                FORMAL
money                                           funds/funding 
exam                                             examination
job, work                                      employment
home                                             house
sadness                                         grief
thing                                              matter/issue