WR 95

Fragment sentences

Definition of a fragment sentence

A group of words that lacks a subject or

a verb and doesnt express a complete
thought is called a fragment sentence.

The four most common types of

fragments are:
Dependent word fragments
-ing and to fragments
Added-detail fragments
Missing subject fragments

Dependent word fragments:

Some word phrases that begin with a
dependent word are fragments. Some
common dependent words include:

After Although As Because

How If Since Unless Until
Where While Whether Who

Before
When
Whose

Dependent-Word fragment

Heres an example of a dependent word

fragment:
After I learned the price of new cars. I
decided to keep my old Buick.

Note that the underlined phrase is a

fragment. Why?

Dependent-Word fragments:

You can correct a dependent word

fragment by completing the thought:

Example: After I learned the price of new

cars, I decided to keep my old Buick.
OR
I decided to keep my old Buick after I
learned the price of new cars.

Dependent-Word fragments:
You can also fix dependent-word
fragments simply by eliminating the
dependent word.
Instead of: After I learned the price of
new cars, I decided to keep my old
Buick.
Rewrite the sentence without the
dependent word: I learned the price of
new cars and decided to keep my old
Buick.

-ing and to fragments:

Sometimes when an ing word starts or
is near the start of a sentence, a
fragment can occur. This type of
fragment often lacks a subject and part
of a verb.
Fragment: I spent almost two hours
yesterday. Trying to find a garage to
repair my car.

-ing and to fragments:

To fix the fragment, attach the ing

phrase to the sentence that comes
before or after it, whichever makes
sense.

Correction: I spent almost two hours

yesterday, trying to find a garage to
repair my car.

-ing and to fragments:

Sometimes a fragment occurs when to

starts or is near the start of a sentence.

Fragment: I plan on working overtime.

To get this job finished.

-ing and to fragments:

To fix the fragment, attach the to phrase

to the sentence that comes before or
after it, whichever makes sense.

Correction: I plan on working overtime

to get this job finished.

Added-detail fragments

Added-detail fragments are missing a

subject and verb and often begin with
one of the following words:
also
such as

except
for example

including
especially

Added-detail fragments

One way to fix an added-detail fragment

is to hook the fragment to the complete
thought that precedes it.

Fragment: I love desserts. Especially

pumpkin pie.
Correction: I love desserts, especially
pumpkin pie.

Added-detail fragments

Another way to correct an added-detail

fragment is to add a subject and verb.

Fragment: I love desserts. Especially

pumpkin pie.
Correction: I love desserts. My favorite
dessert is pumpkin pie.

Missing subject fragments

Missing subject fragments occur when a

writer assumes that the subject in the
previous sentence will apply to the next
sentence. But every sentence must
have a subject and a verb to convey a
complete thought (independent
clause).

Missing subject fragments

To fix a missing subject fragment, add a
subject (noun or pronoun) to the
sentence.
Fragment: The truck skidded on the road.
But missed the oncoming car.

Correction: The truck skidded on the

road. It missed the oncoming car.

Missing subject fragments

You can also fix the missing subject

fragment by attaching it to the preceding
sentence:

Fragment: The truck skidded on the road.

But missed the oncoming car.
Correction: The truck skidded on the road
but missed the oncoming car.

Fragment Sentences

Remember, every sentence must have a

subject (noun=person, place or thing)
and a verb (action word). To be a
complete sentence.

Oops! What kind of fragment just

occurred, and how would you fix it?