Directions:

1. Use a chart to help you with verb recognition for half verbs.

2. In column 1, list 10 different verbs at random.

3. In columns 2, 3, and 4, type each verb as an infinitive, a present participle, and a past participle.

4. Use a dictionary to check the accuracy of your answers.

Examples:

Note: In these random verb selections, only the verb talk has a regular past participle -ed ending.

Summary:

If you label a group of words as a fragment, classify it by its dominant structure.

• If you have a dependent clause as well as phrases, call it a dependent clause fragment.

  Because it has a complete subject and a complete verb, it is easiest to fix.

  Simply eliminate the subordinate connective.

• If you do not have a dependent clause, your next best answer is an infinitiveor a present or past participle phrase fragment.

  With that kind of fragment, you will have a half verb.

  You may also have a subject.

• The lowest type of fragment error we have examined is the prepositionalphrase fragment.

  It has no subject and no verb.