Grammar: Sentence Fragments and Types

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Questions and Answers

What defines a compound sentence?

Contains one independent clause and one subordinate clause.

Contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon. (correct)

Contains more than one independent clause and no subordinate clauses.

Contains one independent clause and two subordinate clauses.

Which of the following is an example of a complex sentence?

He ran fast; however, he tripped.

She likes tea, and he likes coffee.

She enjoys reading, and he prefers writing.

Although it was raining, we went for a walk. (correct)

Which statement about sentence fragments is true?

They are acceptable in any form of writing.

They lack essential grammatical elements to form a complete sentence. (correct)

They always contain a subject and a verb.

They can stand alone as complete sentences.

What is a common reason to avoid sentence fragments?

They often make writing less clear and can confuse readers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates a compound-complex sentence?

She went to the store because she needed milk, and he stayed home. Signup and view all the answers

What element is NOT necessary for a grammatically correct complete sentence?

A complex structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about writing and fragments is accurate?

Fragments can be used stylistically by experienced writers. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence fragment from the options below.

Even though she was tired. Signup and view all the answers

What types of clauses are used in the sentence 'Have you decided to find a new job because you dislike your old job or because you want a new challenge?'

Adverbial clauses Signup and view all the answers

Identify the type of conjunctions used in 'She is interested in not where he bought the jacket but how he could afford it.'

Correlating conjunctions Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of reduced parallel structure from the content?

She is pleased not only by his attitude but also his intelligence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences demonstrates a correct use of coordinating conjunctions?

I do not mind if he comes at 7 p.m. or later. Signup and view all the answers

How many relative clauses are present in the sentence 'She is the kind of person who cares about others and who will help you out when needed'?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What type of clauses are contained in 'They sacked him either because he was always late or because he was often rude to customers'?

Adverbial clauses Signup and view all the answers

In the provided content, which sentence displays a full parallel structure?

She is pleased not only by his attitude but also by his intelligence. Signup and view all the answers

Which choice accurately represents the function of coordinating conjunctions in a sentence?

They connect different types of clauses and phrases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

To introduce the main idea or topic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of paragraph mentioned in the content?

Comparative Paragraph Signup and view all the answers

What describes the concept of unity within a paragraph?

The focus on a single idea throughout the paragraph Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a concluding sentence in a paragraph?

To wrap up the discussion and link to the next paragraph Signup and view all the answers

Which type of paragraph aims to persuade the reader to accept a particular point of view?

Persuasive Paragraph Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a descriptive paragraph?

It describes sensory details of a person, place, or thing. Signup and view all the answers

In effective writing, why is paragraphing considered important?

It enhances the readability and structure of the content. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a paragraph provides the main ideas for supporting sentences?

Topic Sentence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of technical writing?

An instructional manual for repairing machinery Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT classified as a type of technical writing?

Legal contracts Signup and view all the answers

What key role does technical writing play in a workplace?

Facilitating communication with co-workers and clients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tasks is NOT typically associated with technical writing?

Crafting poetic verses for literary magazines Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major genres of technical writing?

Theses for sharing information Signup and view all the answers

In what form can technical writing be presented?

In both printed and digital formats Signup and view all the answers

Why are writing skills important for engineers and scientists?

To effectively communicate with colleagues and clients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements describes technical writing?

It is diverse and serves various practical purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of technical writing in terms of word choice?

To use short, concise words Signup and view all the answers

How can conciseness be achieved in technical writing?

By avoiding redundancy and prepositional phrases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a drawback of using passive voice in writing?

It often leads to wordier and weaker sentences Signup and view all the answers

What does accessibility refer to in the context of technical writing?

The visual layout and readability of the document Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a redundant phrase?

The tuition will cost the sum of 30000 pesos. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates good practice in technical writing?

The researcher compiled the report. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid prepositional phrases in technical writing?

They can unnecessarily lengthen sentences and obscure meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is an example of poor conciseness?

In order to improve efficiency, the team needs more resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence lacking the necessary grammatical elements to make an independent clause.
A sentence fragment is part of a sentence, not a complete one.
A sentence fragment must be reworked to be grammatically correct.
Sentence fragments are not complete sentences because they lack one of two essential elements: a subject (explicit or implied) and a verb.
Example sentence fragments: "In so many ways" and "Once we leave for the movie".
Why sentence fragments are bad: Sentence fragments should be avoided in all writing except by very experienced writers for stylistic purposes.

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence includes two or more independent clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or a semicolon.
Example: "She likes tea, and he likes coffee."

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses.
Example: "Although it was raining, we went for a walk."

Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence combines characteristics of both compound and complex sentences.
A compound-complex sentence includes two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
Example: "She went to the store because she needed milk, and he stayed home."

Parallelism and Repetition

Parallel structures occur when the same grammatical structure is repeated for similar ideas or phrases.
Parallelism makes writing more rhythmic and easier to understand.
Parallelism can be reduced by shortening subsequent parts as long as identical words across the parts are removed.
Example: "He is not sure whether to buy a new car or to go away on holiday." can be shortened to "He is not sure whether to buy a new car or go away on holiday."

Paragraph Structure

A paragraph is divided into three structural components:
- Topic Sentence: Introduces the main idea or topic of the paragraph.
- Supporting Sentences: Provide evidence, examples, and explanations to support the topic sentence.
- Concluding Sentence: Summarizes the paragraph's discussion and links to the next paragraph.

Types of Paragraphs

Narrative Paragraph: Tells a story or narrates an event or series of events.
Descriptive Paragraph: Describes a person, place, thing, or idea.
Expository Paragraph: Explains a concept, provides information, or explores an idea.
Persuasive Paragraph: Aims to persuade the reader to accept a specific point of view or encourage certain actions.

Unity and Coherence

Two crucial features of a well-written paragraph are unity and coherence.
Unity: A paragraph discusses a single idea introduced by the topic sentence.
Coherence: Sentences within a paragraph flow smoothly and logically, making the paragraph easy to understand.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is neither literature, an expressive essay, nor an expository essay.
Technical writing encompasses various documents in the fields of instruction, communication, and sharing knowledge.
Technical writing documents are typically classified into four categories:
- Reports and communications in day-to-day business.
- Technical papers, magazine articles, books, and thesis for educational purposes.
- Patents.
- Operational manuals, instructions, or procedures.

Why Technical Writing is Important

Writing is a crucial part of everyday work in many professions.
Technical writing facilitates communication with diverse audiences.
Technical writing skills are essential for professionals in various fields like engineering and science.

Conciseness in Technical Writing

Conciseness is achieved through short words and short sentences.
Conciseness is enhanced by avoiding redundancy, prepositional phrases, and passive voice.

Accessibility in Technical Writing

Accessibility refers to the layout and visual presentation of technical writing.
Well-structured and legible writing is crucial for accessibility.

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Description

This quiz covers the concepts of sentence fragments, compound sentences, and complex sentences. It explains their structures, examples, and why avoiding fragments is important in writing. Test your understanding of these fundamental grammar elements.