A sentence fragment occurs when a group of words looks like a sentence but isn’t a complete thought. It might be missing a subject, verb, or both, or it may not express a complete idea. Sentence fragments can confuse readers because they often leave the meaning unclear or unfinished. Learning to identify and fix sentence fragments is an important step in improving your writing skills, for school or work! In this article, we will explain what they are, give examples, and show you how to correct them.
Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments are portions of sentences that lack one or more components that make them complete sentences. A complete sentence must have at least one independent clause, meaning it has both a subject and a verb, and it expresses a full idea. If any of these elements are missing, the result is a sentence fragment.
For example, a sentence fragment might consist of a dependent clause that needs to be paired with an independent clause to form a complete thought. Dependent clauses often start with subordinating words like “because,” “if,” or “while.” These clauses cannot stand alone as sentences, which makes them common sources of sentence fragments.
Here are some examples of sentence fragments:
- Because I was tired.
- Running late for the bus.
- While she was cooking dinner.
- The book on the table.
- If it rains tomorrow.
Each of these examples is a fragment because it doesn’t form a complete thought on its own. In order to make these fragments into complete sentences, they must be revised. Here are the revised versions:
| Sentence Fragment | Complete Sentence |
|---|---|
| Because I was tired. | I decided to take a nap because I was tired. |
| Running late for the bus. | I missed the bus this morning because I was running late. |
| While she was cooking dinner. | While she was cooking dinner, her phone rang. |
| The book on the table. | The book on the table is my favorite novel. |
| If it rains tomorrow. | If it rains tomorrow, we’ll stay inside. |
Related: 50 Sentences With Subject Verb And Object: Better English
Why Are Sentence Fragments a Problem?
Sentence fragments can cause confusion in writing because they do not convey a complete thought. When fragments appear in the middle of a piece of writing, they can disrupt the flow and make it difficult for the reader to follow along. This issue can be particularly problematic in formal writing, where clarity and coherence are essential.
In addition to confusing the reader, sentence fragments also undermine the professionalism of your writing. Sentences that end abruptly or leave ideas unfinished may appear careless. For students or professionals who are trying to communicate ideas clearly, reducing sentence fragments is a key step in improving writing.
How to Fix Sentence Fragments
There are several ways to correct sentence fragments. Below are the most common methods to fix them:
1. Add a Subject or Verb
A common cause of sentence fragments is the absence of a subject or verb. If your fragment lacks either, adding one can turn it into a complete sentence.
Example:
- Fragment: Because I was tired.
- Corrected: Because I was tired, I went to bed early.
By adding the second clause, you create a complete thought. Notice how the fragment now expresses a clear idea by adding a subject (“I”) and a verb (“went”).
2. Join the Fragment to a Complete Sentence
If the fragment is closely related to the sentence before it, you can connect it to that sentence with a comma or conjunction.
Example:
- Fragment: Running late for the bus.
- Corrected: I was running late for the bus, so I hurried out the door.
In this case, the fragment is connected to the main sentence using a comma and conjunction (“so”). This adds clarity and helps the sentence flow smoothly.
3. Eliminate the Subordinating Word
Another way to fix a sentence fragment is by removing a subordinating word (such as “because,” “if,” or “while”). This can make the fragment a standalone sentence.
Example:
- Fragment: While she was cooking dinner.
- Corrected: She was cooking dinner.
By removing “while,” you turn the fragment into a complete sentence. In this case, the fragment was dependent on the word “while,” but removing it gave the sentence a clear subject and verb.
4. Provide More Information
If your fragment is missing information to make it complete, adding the missing components can turn it into a complete thought.
Example:
- Fragment: The book on the table.
- Corrected: The book on the table is mine.
By adding a verb (“is”) and completing the idea, you turn the fragment into a complete sentence. This provides the reader with a clear subject, verb, and object.
Examples of Corrected Sentence Fragments
Here are some more examples of sentence fragments and how to fix them:
| Fragment | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| If it rains tomorrow. | If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors. |
| Because he didn’t study. | Because he didn’t study, he failed the test. |
| When I woke up. | When I woke up, I felt refreshed. |
| The car in the driveway. | The car in the driveway is my new one. |
| Without saying goodbye. | Without saying goodbye, she left the party. |
By recognizing and correcting sentence fragments, you can make sure your writing is clear and complete.
How to Avoid Sentence Fragments
Preventing sentence fragments in your writing requires a good understanding of sentence structure. Here are some tips to help you avoid creating them:
- Make sure every sentence has a subject and a verb: Every complete sentence must have both a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (what the subject is doing). If either of these is missing, you may have a fragment.
- Be careful with dependent clauses: Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. If you start a sentence with a word like “although,” “because,” or “if,” make sure it’s followed by an independent clause to complete the thought.
- Review your work: After writing, take a close look at your sentences. Check if each one expresses a complete thought and doesn’t leave the reader confused.
- Read your writing aloud: Sometimes, you can spot sentence fragments by reading your work out loud. If you find yourself pausing or feeling that something is missing, it may be a fragment.
- Use sentence combining: If you tend to write short, choppy sentences, try combining some of them. This will help avoid incomplete thoughts and create smoother, more complete sentences.
Advanced Techniques for Fixing Sentence Fragments
In addition to the basic methods, here are some advanced strategies for fixing fragments and enhancing your sentence construction:
- Use Relative Clauses: If the fragment includes a noun phrase, consider adding a relative clause to complete the sentence. Example:
- Fragment: The man in the green shirt.
- Corrected: The man in the green shirt is my brother.
- Add a Complement: Sometimes fragments occur because the sentence is missing a complement (such as a direct object or subject complement). Example:
- Fragment: The girl who won the race.
- Corrected: The girl who won the race is my cousin.
- Use Conjunctions to Join Ideas: If you are using a sentence fragment as part of a longer sentence, consider using additional conjunctions to combine related thoughts. Example:
- Fragment: Since she moved to the city.
- Corrected: Since she moved to the city, she has found a great job and made many new friends.
What is an example of a long fragment?
A long fragment is a group of words that doesn’t form a complete sentence. It may be long but still lacks a subject or a verb. For example: Although I wanted to go to the park with my friends, playing soccer all afternoon, and eating ice cream. This is a fragment because it doesn’t have a main clause to finish the thought. To fix it, you could add a complete idea: Although I wanted to go to the park with my friends, playing soccer all afternoon, and eating ice cream, I had to stay home to finish my work. Now it’s a full sentence.
What are some ways to improve writing skills?
To improve writing skills, practice is key. Start by reading often. This helps you see different writing styles and expand your vocabulary. Writing regularly also makes a big difference. Try journaling or writing short stories. It’s important to focus on structure: make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb. Another helpful step is getting feedback from others. Others may notice mistakes you miss. Lastly, be patient with yourself. Improvement takes time. Keep writing and revising. With steady practice, your writing will become clearer and more effective.
What causes poor writing skills in students?
Poor writing skills often result from lack of practice. Writing is a skill that requires time and repetition. Without enough practice, it’s hard to improve. Another cause is a limited vocabulary. Students who don’t read widely may not know many words, making it difficult to express their thoughts clearly. Sometimes, poor grammar skills also play a role. If students don’t understand basic grammar rules, their writing can be confusing. Lack of organization in writing is another common issue. Without a clear plan, ideas can become disorganized. To fix these problems, students need practice, support, and guidance.
Conclusion: Avoiding Sentence Fragments
Recognizing and fixing sentence fragments is key to improving your writing. When you use complete sentences, you make your ideas clearer and more engaging. By practicing the methods outlined in this article, you can reduce sentence fragments and create well-structured, complete thoughts. With time and careful revision, you will develop stronger writing skills and avoid common sentence errors. Remember, a good sentence should express a clear idea and provide the reader with a complete thought.
By using these strategies, you’ll be on your way to more polished, coherent writing. Whether you are writing an essay, report, or a casual email, avoiding sentence fragments will make your message easier to understand and more effective. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll feel confident in your ability to spot and fix fragments quickly.