Fragments

Identify and Correct

What is a Fragment?

Every sentence must have a subject and a

verb and express a complete thought.

A phrase that lacks a subject or a verb and

does not express a complete thought is a
fragment.

Four Types of Fragments

Dependent Clause Fragments

ing Fragments

Added-detail Fragments

Missing Subject/Verb Fragments

Dependent Clause Fragments

Some dependent clauses
are fragments.

Whenever you start a

sentence with a
dependent word, you
create a dependent
clause.

Dependent Words
After, although, as,
Even though, because,
Before, how, if, even if,
In order to, since, unless,
Until, what, whatever,
When, whenever,
Where, wherever,
While, who, whose,
Just as

Dependent Clause Fragments

After I cashed my check. I treated myself to dinner.

I will not leave the house. Until I hear from you.
When I spray deodorant. My cat arches her back.
If Kim does not say good-bye. Her boyfriend will be
upset.
Before I turn on the oven. I have to clean it.
Since he joined the class. The study group meets
often.

Corrected DC Fragments

After I cashed my check, I treated myself to dinner.

I will not leave the house until I hear from you.
When I spray deodorant, my cat arches her back.
If Kim does not say good-bye, her boyfriend will be
upset.
Before I turn on the oven, I have to clean it.
Since he joined the class, the study group meets often.

Ing Fragments

When ing appears at

the beginning of a
phrase, you may create
a fragment.

An ing phrase is a
dependent clause.

Ing Fragments

Ellen walked for ten hours yesterday. Trying to find her

dog.
We sat back to watch the movie. Not expecting
anything special.
Stepping hard on the gas. Stan tried to beat the truck
to the intersection.
Jerome sat quietly at his desk. Fantasizing about the
weekend.

Corrected ing Fragments

Ellen walked for ten hours yesterday, trying to find her

dog.
We sat back to watch the movie, not expecting
anything special.
Stepping hard on the gas, Stan tried to beat the truck
to the intersection.
Jerome sat quietly at his desk, fantasizing about the
weekend.

Added-detail Fragments

When you attach a detail

to the end of sentence,
this is called an addeddetail.

An added detail is not a

complete thought.

Added-details

especially

also

like

for example

including

except

such as

which

Added-detail Fragments

My mother likes watching day-time television.

Especially old movies and soap operas.
Before a race, I eat starchy foods. Such as bread and
spaghetti.
My son keeps several pets in his room. Including
hamsters and mice.
Left-handed students face problems. For example,
right-handed desks.

Corrected AD Fragments

My mother likes watching day-time television,

especially old movies and soap operas.
Before a race, I eat starchy foods, such as bread and
spaghetti.
My son keeps several pets in his room, including
hamsters and mice.
Left-handed students face problems. For example, they
must sit at right-handed desks.

Missing Subject/Verb Fragments

When you write a

sentence missing a
subject or verb, you
create a fragment.

Missing Subject/Verb Fragments

Alicia loved getting wedding presents. But hated writing

thank-you notes.
Mickey has orange soda and chips for breakfast. Then
eats more junk food for lunch.
Last semester I took six courses. And worked part-time
at Wal-Mart.
Studying can increase your grade. And can even give
you confidence during class.

Corrected SV Fragments

Alicia loved getting wedding presents but hated writing

thank-you notes.
Mickey has orange soda and chips for breakfast. Then,
he eats more junk food for lunch.
Last semester I took six courses and worked part-time
at Wal-Mart.
Studying can increase your grade, and it can even give
you confidence during class.

Fragments