HFCC Learning Lab
Sentence Structure, 4.32
MORE ON SENTENCE FRAGMENTS
Explanation
A group of words beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period must
be complete. It must contain a subject and a verb. It must express a complete thought.
Here is a three step test of sentence completeness:
1. Find the verb
2. Find the subject
3. Look to see if the subject and verb are introduced by a DANGER WORD.
(See list on next page.) A DANGER WORD before a subject and a verb
makes that group of words a fragment.
Now each step in this three-step test will be discussed further:
1. Fragment caused by a missing verb: a verb expresses action, existence or
occurrence. An easy way to identify a word as a verb is to use the slot methods.
Only verbs will fit properly in the blank space.
Let’s_______________________ something.
The method can be tested with some common verbs:
Examples:
Let’s throw something.
Let’s taste something.
Let’s be something.
Let’s consider something.
Let’s think something.
Let’s want something.
The verb in a sentence must be complete. Notice that there are two ways it is not
complete.
a. If it has an –ing ending without a helping verb.
Fragment
Corrected
Sue studying Geography
Sue is studying Geography.
Sue was studying Geography.
b. If it is an infinitive (to run, to go, etc.)
Fragment
Corrected
Sue to play softball.
Sue is going to play softball.
Caution: some verbs are not always as the main verb in the sentence.
Example: tired from a hard day’s work. (This is a fragment because the word
“tired” is being used as an adjective here to modify a word that has come in the
previous or following sentence.
Each sentence must have a complete verb. The verb in one sentence cannot be
thought of as part of the next sentence, the verb must actually appear in the
sentence.
2. Fragment caused by missing subject: the subject in the noun or pronoun unit
about which something is said. For example, in the sentence, “the boy hit the
ball,” “boy” is the subject.
You may sometimes forget to include the subject of a sentence because you have
just used it in the preceding sentence and because it obviously seems to be the
subject of the fragment. But you must always remember that the subject must be
included in each sentence (with the exception of a command.)
3. Fragment caused by a DANGER WORD: if the verb and it subject are introduced
by a DANGER WORD, you do not have a complete sentence; it does not express
a complete thought. It is merely a cliff-hanger because it begins a statement but
does not finish it. For example, “if you come home.” Is a fragment because the
thought expressed is not complete.
The most used DANGER WORDS are:
Subordinating Conjunctions
Relative Pronouns
After
Although
As (if)
Before
If
Since
who
whom
which
that
unless
how
when
while
until
so what
whoever
whomever
what
whatever
Most of the DANGER WORDS are readily noticed because they come before the
expression they affect.
Example: because Fred is nonconformist. (The introductory DANGER WORD
makes this a fragment. What happened because Fred is a nonconformist?)
The DANGER WORDS which are listed above as relative pronouns (especially
who, which, and that) frequently appear between the subject and the verb.
Examples: The man who condemns racism. (This incomplete sentence fails to tell
the reader what happened. What will the man who condemns racism do? The
thought is incomplete.
To correct fragment caused by DANGER WORD:
1. Attach the fragment to the previous sentence or to the one that follows.
whichever is the most closely connected in thought to the fragment.
Example: George is the man who condemns racism.
2. Complete the fragments with necessary words.
Example: the man who condemns racism should be praised.
Exercise: each of the following paragraphs contains one fragment. Make it into a
sentence by attaching it to an already complete sentence immediately proceeding of
following the fragment.
1. Earnest Gordon’s article deals with a very provocative subject. The search for
new moral standards by this country’s young people. The author denies the
existence of widespread promiscuity.
2. Dr. Alexander was certainly a rare example of selflessness. His work in Africa
showed him to be a truly altruistic man. A man who dedicated his life to
combating disease.
3. I filled in the questionnaire quickly. Eager to meet some compatible date. I know
the dates might not work out.
4. Whenever Dan made a new acquaintance, he was overly attentive. Apparently,
this excessive interest drove people away. Because Dan’s obsequious attitude
made them feel uncomfortable.
5. Jesse James was quite a notorious outlaw. He used the trickiest and most furtive
methods to escape. But, in the end, was caught anyway. That old saying is true;
crime does not pay.
6. Mike has demonstrated that a person can be too ethical. As an experiment, he was
completely truthful for one week. Then he moved to another city. Leaving behind
many angry, disillusioned people.
7. Business efficiency is not what it used to be. Especially during the hot summer
months. The heat makes the workers very lazy and irritable. Thus, air
conditioning is a good investment.
8. It was a touching sight. The children playing gently with the tiny puppy. It was a
good opportunity to take some pictures. Theses satisfying moments would be
permanently recorded.
Answers
The answers include only a correction of the fragments not the complete original
example.
1. Earnest Gordon’s article deals with a very provocative subject, the search for new
moral standards by this country’s young people.
2. His work in Africa showed him to be a truly altruistic man, a man who dedicated
his life to combating disease.
3. I filled in the questionnaire quickly, eager to meet some compatible date. I knew
the dates might not work out.
4. Apparently, this excessive interest drove people away because Dan’s obsequious
attitude made them feel uncomfortable.
5. He used the trickiest and most furtive methods to escape but in the end, was
caught anyway. That old saying is true; crime does not pay.
6. Then he moved to another city, leaving behind many angry, disillusioned people.
7. Business efficiency is not what it used to be, especially during the hot summer
months.
8. It was a touching sight, the children playing gently with the tiny puppy.
7/28/2010