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Writing Improvement Tutorials
Courtesy of Rick Bailey, A.D.
English Instructor

Directions: Print then read the following paragraphs and identify the fragments. Underline each fragment. Then correct the error by altering punctuation or rewriting. Do not radically rewrite. Make simple changes to conserve the style, tone, and sentence structure in the passage. Return to this site for the answers.

Paragraph One:

It was the first couple of months of my new driving experience. My father had just purchased a brand new Ford F-150 pick-up truck. I was taking a music class at night. While in route to my instructor's home. I was headed westbound on West Rd. crossing at Allen Rd. When out of no where I got broad sided by another car, and he took out the whole side of the truck. From the front bumper to the tailgate. Try to explain this to your dad right after he told me to be careful with the car. It was the worst feeling of my life. Something that he had worked so hard for, and I had destroyed it in a matter of minutes. There was no escaping his wrath. I had no control of the situation.

Paragraph Two:

I do not know what it is about math. Maybe it is all the numbers, the formulas, or the boring work. Nowadays there are hundred dollar calculators that pretty much do the work for you. When you get them for a class, sometimes you are not allowed to use them. I can see in grade school when you are just learning the basics. For example, your addition and subtraction, and then your multiplication and division tables. Kids should know that stuff right away and not need help from calculators doing things like that. So during this time they should not be allowed to use a calculator. Until around the sixth grade. That is when they should start using a calculator. By this time they should have a good base for most types of math being taught at the higher levels. At this time the calculators should be brought into play. Because most kids will have a good understanding of basic math. In addition, they will have to start to get familiarized with calculators for the up and coming years. For example, the high school classes which require a calculator. At this time, in high school, calculators become a big part of your supplies for math and other classes as well.

Paragraph Three:

Looking at myself and my two best friends just proves how much the times have changed. Each of us lives a very different life. Yet one thing separates us from our mothers We had the option. I am a typical college student. At school full time and working only part time as a waitress. My friend Lynn chose to get a job straight out of high school. She is full blown workaholic. Finally, Marisa, who had a child right out of high school. She manages a full time job and a child all on her own. Now which one of these women work the hardest? The answer is that they are all equal. Each has chosen her path. While remaining the best of friends and thriving off of each other.

Back to Sentence Fragment Exercise page


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