Sentence Fragments

   by: Professor Sharon Delmendo       Close Window    Print Page

Definitions:

Independent clause – is the same thing as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Examples: Dependent clause – may look a like sentence, but it does not express a complete thought.

Examples:

Three Criteria for Sentence Fragments:

A sentence must have two things: a subject and a verb ("Jesus wept" is not only the shortest Gospel, but also a complete sentence). Also, a sentence generally states a complete thought. Fragments occur when one of these three criteria is missing.
  1. No subject
  2. No verb
  3. Use of subordinating word (subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun) makes the "sentence" a fragment. Often these will look like sentences because they're as long as a sentence, but use of certain words automatically makes them a fragment. The best way to catch fragments is to read them out loud, paying attention to punctuation.

Subjects and Verbs:

If a subject or verb is missing, the easiest way to fix the fragment is to insert the missing element. About 90% of the fragments that I see are incomplete “sentences” that relate logically to the (complete) sentence that comes before or after. The easiest way to fix this kind of fragment is simply to join the two together.

Fragment: Citizens of the U.S. are afforded certain rights. One right being a freedom to speak without fear of governmental interference.

Revised: Citizens of the U.S. are afforded certain rights, such as the freedom to speak without fear of governmental interference.

Coordinating Conjunction:

Coordinating conjunctions are used as connections to join two independent clauses into one sentence. There are seven coordinating conjunctions. Memorize them.
       and but for or
       nor yet so
Remember that when we discussed comma splices we learned how to join independent clauses within a sentence using a coordinating conjunction and a comma.

Examples:

Subordinating Conjunction also known as a Dependent Marker Word:

A subordinating conjunction is a word that, when added to the start of on independent clause (complete sentence), transforms it into a dependent clause (incomplete sentence). Quite simply it “marks” the clause as being dependent upon another clause. Examples:
       although if when as
       after even though until
       where before unless wherever
       since whenever because though

Fragment: Although I feel that the next four years are going to be the most strenuous and frustrating ever.
Revised: Although I feel that the next four years are going to be the most strenuous and frustrating ever, but I know I’m up to the challenge.

Sometimes the easiest way to fix this kind of fragment is simply to take the subordinating conjunction out.

Revised: I feel that the next four years are going to be the most strenuous and frustrating ever.

Relative Pronouns:

Relative pronouns are words that can be used at the beginning of a single sentence and be used to join independent clauses. They’re also known as independent marker words.

Examples include:
       also consequently furthermore however
       moreover nevertheless therefore that
       which who what whichever
       whoever whatever

See also the Sentence Fragment guide sheet and the Comma Splice guide sheet.


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