Sentence Fragments
Mini-Lesson #66
FROM THE UWF WRITING LAB’S 101 GRAMMAR MINI-LESSONS SERIES
Information taken from Real Good Grammar, Too
By Mamie Webb Hixon
Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment is an incomplete
construction which may or may not have a
subject and a verb.
Specifically, a fragment is a group of
words pretending to be a sentence. It is
punctuated and capitalized as if it were a
sentence, and it may even have a subject
and a verb.
Sentence Fragments
Although sentence fragments are
common, fragments are usually
unacceptable in academic and
professional writing.
Some fragments are intentional. Skillful
writers use them for emphasis, for
answers to questions, for transitions, for
exclamations, and for advertising jingles.
Sentence Fragments
Since writers and readers do not always
agree on when fragments are intentional, it
is always safer to write in complete
sentences.
Sentence Fragments
The dependent clause is one of the most
common sentence fragments. Although a
dependent clause has a subject and a
verb, it is always introduced by a
subordinating conjunction (as, as if,
although, since, because, while, until,
before, if, when) or a relative pronoun
(who, which, that) and thus cannot be
treated as a complete thought.
Correcting Fragments
Join a dependent clause to an independent
clause, or make the dependent clause into an
independent one.
The study showed that many employees
eventually begin to neglect their duties.
Because they become bored with their
jobs.
The study showed that many employees
eventually begin to neglect their duties
because they become bored with their
jobs.
Let’s practice!
The two girls next door, although they mean well
and do not realize that their constant borrowing
of sugar, eggs, and milk and their inquisitiveness
about everyone else in the apartment complex.
The two girls next door, although they mean well
and do not realize that their constant borrowing
of sugar, eggs, and milk and their inquisitiveness
about everyone else in the apartment complex
are annoying, are, fortunately, quiet.
Other Types of Fragments
Marcy was excited about working in Washington.
But was also somewhat apprehensive.
Marcy was excited about working in Washington
but was also somewhat apprehensive.
Dorothy and her friends went to Emerald City.
Singing and Dancing down Yellowbrick Road.
Singing and dancing down Yellowbrick Road,
Dorothy and her friends went to Emerald City.
Other Types of Fragments
His immediate aim in life is centered around two
things. Becoming an engineer and learning to
fly an airplane.
His immediate aim in life is centered around two
things, becoming an engineer and learning to fly
an airplane.
You should not make such statements; although
they are correct.
You should not make such statements, although
they are correct.
Final Practice!
Not for all the tea in China. I won’t do it.
I won’t do it for all the tea in China.
I categorically refuse to abide by these
ridiculous rules. Whether you like it or not.
I categorically refuse to abide by these
ridiculous rules whether you like it or not.