A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but does not express a complete thought. It lacks either a subject, a complete verb, or a full idea. As a result, a fragment cannot stand alone as a proper sentence. Readers may find fragments confusing or incomplete, so learning to recognize and fix them enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
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Definition of a Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence—one that does not meet the minimum requirement of having both a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate that forms a complete thought. A complete sentence usually needs at least one independent clause, which contains a subject and a fully expressed action or state of being.
Key Characteristics:
- Fragments often start with a capital letter and end with a period, making them look like sentences.
- They fail to form an independent clause.
- They leave the reader asking questions, such as “Who did what?” or “What happened?”
Common Causes of Sentence Fragments
- Missing Subject: A clause without a subject does not tell the reader who or what the sentence is about. Example Fragment:
“Ran to the store.”
(Who ran? The sentence doesn’t say.) How to Fix: Add a subject: “He ran to the store.” - Missing Verb or Incomplete Verb Form: Without a complete verb, the group of words cannot stand as a sentence. Example Fragment:
“The cat under the table.”
(There’s a subject “cat” and a phrase “under the table,” but no verb.) How to Fix: Add a verb to show action or being: “The cat is sitting under the table.” - Dependent Clause Left Alone: A dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction (like “because,” “when,” “if”) or a relative pronoun (like “who,” “which,” “that”) and cannot stand alone. Example Fragment:
“Because I was tired.”
(This is a dependent clause. It leaves the reader waiting for the main clause.) How to Fix: Add an independent clause: “Because I was tired, I went to bed early.” - Phrase Treated as a Complete Sentence: A phrase (e.g., a prepositional phrase, gerund phrase) can’t stand alone. Example Fragment:
“After the long journey.”
(This prepositional phrase doesn’t tell us what happened after the journey.) How to Fix: Combine it with a main clause: “After the long journey, we rested at a hotel.” - Missing a Complete Thought: Sometimes a clause may have a subject and verb but still not form a complete thought. Example Fragment:
“That he would come to the party.”
(This sounds like part of a sentence. It needs something more.) How to Fix: Attach it to an independent clause: “I was surprised that he would come to the party.”
Examples of Sentence Fragments and How to Fix Them
- Fragment: “Working late into the night.”
Issue: No subject or complete verb.
Fix: Add a subject and verb.
Corrected: “She was working late into the night.” - Fragment: “If she arrives on time.”
Issue: Dependent clause alone.
Fix: Add an independent clause.
Corrected: “If she arrives on time, we will start the meeting.” - Fragment: “The man who lives next door.”
Issue: A relative clause without a main clause.
Fix: Complete the thought.
Corrected: “The man who lives next door is very friendly.” - Fragment: “Before the sun sets.”
Issue: Phrase alone.
Fix: Add an independent clause.
Corrected: “We must finish the work before the sun sets.” - Fragment: “Such as apples and oranges.”
Issue: Phrase indicating examples without a main clause.
Fix: Integrate into a complete sentence.
Corrected: “I like many types of fruit, such as apples and oranges.”
How to Identify and Avoid Fragments
- Check for a Subject and Verb: Ask if each sentence has a subject and a verb that can stand alone. If not, it may be a fragment.
- Look for Dependent Markers: Words like “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” and “that” often indicate dependent clauses. Ensure these clauses are attached to an independent clause.
- Read Aloud: Reading your sentence out loud can reveal if the thought feels incomplete or if it prompts more information.
- Revise by Combining Sentences: Often, fragments can be fixed by attaching them to a neighboring independent clause, ensuring the final result is a complete thought.
Additional Tips
- Use Conjunctions Wisely:
If you start a sentence with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., “because”), be sure to finish the idea with an independent clause. - Don’t Confuse Fragments with Intentional Stylistic Choices:
In creative writing, short, fragment-like sentences might be used for effect. However, in formal writing, ensure complete sentences. - Keep a Checklist:
For each sentence, identify the subject and the verb. If you can’t find them, it’s likely a fragment.
Practice Exercises
- Identify the Fragments: Which of the following are fragments? a. “Running down the street.”
b. “After I finished my homework, I watched TV.”
c. “The new phone features a better camera.”
d. “Even though she was tired.” - Fix the Fragments: a. Fragment: “Because I forgot my keys.”
Corrected: _______________________ b. Fragment: “A story with no ending.”
Corrected: _______________________ c. Fragment: “When the rain stopped.”
Corrected: _______________________
Suggested Answers
- Identifying Fragments: a. Fragment (no subject and main verb)
b. Complete sentence (dependent clause “After I finished my homework,” + main clause “I watched TV.”)
c. Complete sentence (“The new phone” is subject, “features” is verb)
d. Fragment (dependent clause, no independent clause) - Fixing the Fragments: a. “Because I forgot my keys, I couldn’t get into the house.”
b. “I read a story with no ending.” or “A story with no ending is frustrating.”
c. “When the rain stopped, we continued our walk.”
Conclusion
A sentence fragment is an incomplete idea masquerading as a sentence. It often lacks a subject, verb, or complete thought. By learning to identify common causes of fragments and applying strategies to fix them, you ensure that every sentence in your writing stands alone as a clear, complete, and grammatically correct statement.