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These are all fragments
because they are not complete thoughts.
Every sentence needs an independent clause.
To turn these fragments into sentences,
we can turn these dependent clauses
into independent clauses.
Because the roads were slippery
is a fragment
because it is not a complete thought.
The roads were slippery
is a complete sentence
because it is a complete thought.
When Leng finishes his homework
is a fragment
because it is not a complete thought.
Leng will finish his homework
is a complete sentence
because it is a complete thought.
Another way to turn these
dependent clause fragments
into complete sentences
is to combine them
with independent clauses
to create complex sentences.
If we hurry
is a fragment
because it is a dependent clause only.
If we hurry, we will make it to the movie on time
is a complete sentence
because it is a dependent clause
and an independent clause together.
Likewise,
We will make it to the movie on time if we hurry
is a complete sentence
for the same reason.
When the Rodriguez family goes on vacation
is a fragment.
When the Rodriguez family goes on vacation,
Tabitha will feed and walk their dogs
is a complete sentence.
Although they played their best game of the season
is a fragment.
Although they played their best game of the season,
the Wildcats lost in overtime
is a complete sentence.
Compare these two sentences.
In the first sentence,
the prepositional phrase that is surrounded by commas
explaines how the teacher addressed the audience.
In the second sentence,
the prepositional phrase
identifies which teacher addressed the audience.
Even though these two sentences have the same words
in the same order,
they have slightly different meaniings.
Compare this sentence to the following sentence
that has a very different meaninig.
An adjectival prepositional phrase
will describe the noun
that comes directly before it.
Here, the infinitive phrase is an adverb
because it explains why
Julie will send a letter of interest.
Here, the infinitive phrase
is part of the independent clause
because it is the subject of the sentence.
Here, the infinitive phrase
is part of the independent clause
because it is the predicate nominative.
Here, the infinitive phrase
is the direct object
of the independent clause.
Notice in these three sentences
the only sentence that requires a comma
is the sentence that begins with the present participial phrase.
Notice in these two sentences
that the only sentence that requires a comma
is the sentence that begins with a past participial phrase.
These are both sentence fragments
because neither contains an independent clause.
For example is a prepositional phrase
used as a transitional expression.
As this video has discussed,
it is fine to begin a sentence with a prepostitional phrase,
but an independent clause must follow.
Here, we begin with a sentence that makes a claim.
The prepositional phrase FOR EXAMPLE
transitions from the claim to specific examples.
The examples are presented in an independent clause.
Therefore, the second sentence is a complete sentence.
A similar meaning can be created with the phrase
SUCH AS.
Unlike the phrase FOR EXAMPLE,
The phrase SUCH AS
will never begin a sentence.
Also, a comma will never come directly after
the words SUCH AS.
A comma will come before the words SUCH AS
if the entire phrase is not essential to the meanining of the sentence.
However, if the phrase is essential to the meaning of the sentence,
no comma is necessary.
Compare this sentence to the following sentence.
In the second sentence,
the phrase
SUCH AS GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE AND FINDING TIME TO EXERCISE
is essential to the overall meaning of the sentence.
Therefore, a comma is not needed.