Hello everyone:

Today’s blog is about sentence fragments. They can be the bane of your existence, if you let them. Here are some examples from papers I received on both the undergraduate and graduate levels just this past week:

Input, process and output

One being having little to no human interaction

Also, somewhat unfair if others with the same pay don’t have to work such hours.

In this arena, information, advertising, and entertainment.

Let’s take them one at a time. First, “input, process and output.” How could anyone even think those three nouns and an article make up a worthwhile sentence? I’m sorry but those words did not make any sense even when they were surrounded by other sentences. I believe what the author was trying to say was the following: “One must input information, process it, and evaluate the output.”

Next, we can look at “one being having little to no human interaction.” Now this is obviously something to do with interpersonal communication, so it is easier to figure out. It could be re-written as the following: “There are several difficulties with the development of our personalities, one of which is having little to no human interaction.”

The next fragment could become something like this: “Also, it is somewhat unfair to make some individuals work long hours while others making the same pay do not.”

Finally, we could write: “In this arena, the most important things to consider are information, advertising, and entertainment.”

It doesn’t pay to be stingy with your words; use them to give your sentences subjects and verbs. This will lead to a better grade and will prevent your instructor from sitting there scratching his or her head.

Best,

Dr. Sheri