How to Correct Sentence Fragments
A fragment is a group of words punctuated like a sentence but which lacks any one of the four
requirements of a grammatical sentence:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a subject
a verb
a complete verb
a complete thought
1. A missing-subject fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject.
I got a C on my assignment. For not correcting the sentence fragments in my paper.
Revision: I got a C on my assignment for not correcting the sentence fragments in my
paper.
It was really embarrassing. Especially after everyone laughed.
Revision: It was really embarrassing, especially after everyone laughed.
Laura stomped her feet. And slammed the door behind her.
Revision: Laura stomped her feet and slammed the door behind her.
2. A missing-verb fragment is a group of words that lacks a main verb.
The statue damaged during the riots.
Revision: The statue damaged during the riots needed drastic repairs.
Joey and Rick who were mowing lawns.
Revision: Joey and Rick, who were mowing lawns, got soaked during the rainstorm.
Spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes.
Revision: Spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes is insane.
3. An incomplete-verb fragment is a group of words that needs a helping verb because the
main verb is a present participle (-ing) or passive verb.
The leaves moving with the wind.
Revision: The leaves are moving with the wind. Or
The leaves move with the wind. Or
The leaves moved with the wind.
4. An incomplete-thought fragment is a group of words that is a phrase, or a dependent clause,
or has a subject and a verb but needs an object.
Phrase-only fragments:
My son keeps several pets in his room. Including hamsters, mice, and gerbils.
Revision: My son keeps several pets in his room, including hamsters, mice, and gerbils.
Not thinking we would be late. We left the house around nine.
Revision: Not thinking we would be late, we left the house around nine.
Dependent clause fragments- Some words or phrases used to introduce a phrase or a clause
may result in a fragment because they cannot stand alone.
after
if, even if
when, whenever
although, though
in order that
where, wherever
as
since
whether
because
that, so that
which, whichever
before
unless
while
even though
until
who
how
what, whatever
whose
Since TAMIU offers many different majors. Students can earn degrees in English,
business, nursing, or psychology.
Revision: Since TAMIU offers many different majors, students can earn degrees in
English, business, nursing, or psychology.
Or
Revision: Students can earn degrees in English, business, nursing, or psychology since
TAMIU offers many different majors.
Missing-object fragments:
A committee named.
Revision: A committee named the new building on campus.
My niece broke.
Revision: My niece broke the dishes.
How to check your paper for sentence fragments:
Read your paper aloud from the first sentence to the last.
Read your paper from the last sentence to the first.
Ask yourself, “Does this sentence have both a subject and verb that express a complete
thought?”