Sentence Fragments
Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences
that are disconnected from the main independent clause. One of the easiest ways
to correct them is to remove the period between the main clause and the
fragment. Punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence, such as
a comma.
Below are examples with the fragments shown in bold. Notice that the fragment
is frequently a dependent clause or long phrase that follows the main clause.
Punctuation and/or corrections are highlighted. You will want to write the
revisions in your notes.
Fragment: Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical,
chemical, and industrial engineering. Revision: Purdue offers many majors in engineering, such as electrical,
chemical, and industrial engineering.
Fragment: The coach walked off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving
her team at a time when we needed her.
Revision: The coach walked off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her
team at a time when we needed her.
Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now
isn't working out too well. Revision: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn't
working out too well.
Fragment: The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands.
Which is why we believe the proposed amendments should be
passed. Revision: Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it
stands, we believe the proposed amendments should be passed.
Some fragments are incorrectly written as independent clauses but are missing a
subject or main verb.
* NO MAIN VERB
Fragment: A story with deep thoughts and emotions.
Revisions:
Direct object: She told a story with deep thoughts and emotions.
Appositive: Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," a story with deep thoughts
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/
Sentence Fragments
and emotions, has impressed critics for decades.
Fragment: Toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Revisions:
Complete verb: Toys of all kinds were thrown everywhere.
Direct object: They found toys of all kinds thrown everywhere.
Fragment: A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first
hired. Revisions:
Direct object: I've noticed a record of accomplishment beginning when you
were first hired
Main verb: A record of accomplishment began when you were first hired.
* NO SUBJECT
Fragment: With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the
product. Revision:
Remove preposition: The ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the
product.
Fragment: By paying too much attention to polls can make a political
leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.
Revision:
Remove preposition: Paying too much attention to polls can make a political
leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.
Fragment: For utilizing company time for Facebook got Phil fired.
Revisions:
Remove preposition: Utilizing company time for Facebook got Phil fired.
Rearrange: Phil got fired for utilizing company time for Facebook.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/
Sentence Fragments
Fragments are ______________________________________. Usually,
fragments are pieces of sentences that are disconnected from the main
independent clause. One of the easiest ways to fix them is to remove the period
between the main clause and the fragment. ____________________________
may be needed for the newly combined sentence, such as a ________________.
Below, the fragments are shown in bold. Notice that the fragment is frequently a
dependent clause or long phrase that follows an independent clause.
Fragment: Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical,
chemical, and industrial engineering. Revision:__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Fragment: The coach walked off the field in the middle of a game. Leaving her
team at a time when we needed her.
Revision:__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now
isn't working out too well. Revision:__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Fragment: The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands. Which
is why we believe the proposed amendments should be passed. Revision:__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Some fragments are incorrectly written as independent clauses but are missing a
____________________________ or _________________________________.
* NO _________________________________
Fragment: A story with deep thoughts and emotions.
Revisions:
-Direct object: __________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
-Appositive: ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/
Sentence Fragments
Fragment: Toys of all kinds thrown everywhere. Revisions:
-Complete verb: ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
-Direct object: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Fragment: A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first
hired. Revisions:
-Direct object: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
-Main verb: ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
* NO _________________________________
Fragment: With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the
product. Revision:
-Remove preposition: _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Fragment: By paying too much attention to polls can make a political
leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.
Revision:
-Remove preposition: ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Fragment: For utilizing company time for Facebook got Phil fired.
Revisions:
-Remove preposition: _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
-Rearrange: ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/
Sentence Fragments
Editing Exercises
Revise the following fragments so they are grammatically correct.
1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. In the seventh grade many boys go out for a sport. To prove to himself and his
parents that he is a man.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that
we would never enter that door again.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Making up his mind quickly. Justin ordered seven dozen red roses for Selena.
Hoping she would accept his apology.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. They were all having a good time. Until one of Dave's best friends had a little
too much Red Bull to drink.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/620/01/