Sentence Fragments. A Complete Sentence:

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1 Sentence Fragments Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, they are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. You may notice fragments in the things that you read novels, newspaper articles, online articles, magazines, etc. Sometimes fragments are used stylistically in writing. In formal, academic writing, however, you should avoid fragments. A Complete Sentence: Names a subject the who or what that performs the action Has a complete verb that indicates tense, person, and number. Includes at least one independent clause and does not begin with a subordinating word (a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause) An Independent Clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete though an independent clause is a simple sentence. Simple Sentence subject, verb, predicate Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz. Subject Verb Predicate (expresses what is true about the subject) Compound Sentence at least two independent clauses connected by a coordinator/connector word Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for her chemistry quiz, and later she wrote her paper. Subject Verb Predicate Connecting Subject Verb Predicate Word Complex Sentence one independent clause (main clause) and one dependent clause Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours because she had a chemistry quiz the next day. Subject Verb Predicate Subordinating Dependent Clause Word A Dependent Clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a connecting (conjunctive or subordinating) word see the Connecting Word List handout to learn what these words are. Because Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. Although Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. And Rebecca studied in the coffee shop for hours. (Thoughts are incomplete they are fragments of thoughts.) Examples of Fragments: No complete subject or verb: No subject: Dependent clause only: For example, the library. For example, MSU built the library. Built the library, for example. MSU built the library, for example. Because students needed a place to do research. MSU built the library because students needed a place to do research.

2 Dependent Clause Fragments These begin with a subordinating word. (See the handout on Connecting Words for examples.) They can be easily fixed by attaching the fragment to nearby independent clause either with a comma (,) or by creating two sentences by deleting the subordinating word at the beginning of the dependent clause. MSU offers many engineering majors. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. MSU offers many engineering majors, such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn t working out too well. I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn t working out too well. The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands. Which is why we believe the new plan should be passed. The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands, which is why we believe the new plan should be passed. Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands, we believe the proposed amendments should be passed. Our group did not work well together for two reasons. When members disagreed about priorities or fought about how to divide the work. Our group did not work well together for two reasons. Members disagreed about priorities or fought about how to divide the work. Phrase Fragments Often fragments are phrase fragments groups of words that lack a subject or complete verb and are usually meant to be modifiers or nouns. Phrase fragments usually begin with verbals, or words that come from verbs, like putting or to put. Verbals Gerunds words that come from verbs that end in ing. These function like nouns in sentences. Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. Subject They do not appreciate my My cat's favorite activity is The police arrested him singing. Direct Object sleeping. Subject Complement for speeding. Object of Preposition Infinitives the simplest form of the verb, which includes the word to. They can function like nouns, adjectives, and adverbs in sentences, so they can be confusing. To wait seemed foolish when action was required. Subject Everyone wanted to go. Direct Object

3 His ambition is to fly. Subject Complement He lacked the strength to resist. Adjective We must study to learn. Adverb Phrase Fragments Beginning with Verbals One way to fix this is to transform the phrase fragment into an independent clause. That summer we had so much fun. Fishing in the early morning, splashing in the lake after lunch, That summer we had so much fun. We fished in the early morning, splashed in the lake after lunch, explored the woods before dinner, and played Scrabble until bedtime. Coach Smith exemplified bad behavior by walking off the field in the middle of the game. Leaving Coach Smith exemplified bad behavior by walking off the field in the middle of the game. She left To run along the beach. We run along the beach. We love to run along the beach. Playing outside in the winter. The children like to play outside in the winter. The children like playing outside in the winter. Another way to fix it is to attach the fragment to the part of the previous sentence that it modifies. That summer we had so much fun. Fishing in the early morning, splashing in the lake after lunch, That summer we had so much fun, fishing in the early morning, splashing in the lake after lunch, Coach Smith exemplified bad behavior by walking off the field in the middle of the game. Leaving Coach Smith exemplified bad behavior by walking off the field in the middle of the game, leaving Phrase Fragments with No subject or Main Verb Some fragments are not clearly pieces of sentences that have been left unattached to the main clause; instead, they are written as main clauses but lack a subject or a verb. (No main verb) A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired. A record of accomplishment began when you were first hired.

4 (No subject or verb) A story with deep thoughts and emotions. She told a story with deep thoughts and emotions. (No main verb) Toys of all kinds everywhere. Toys of all kinds were everywhere. Mixed Constructions These final three examples are known as mixed constructions they start out one way (often with long prepositional phrases) and then end with a regular predicate. Usually the object of the preposition (often a gerund, as in the last two examples) is intended as the subject of the sentence. Therefore, removing the preposition at the beginning of the sentence is usually the easiest way to fix the fragment error. Look for sentences that begin with prepositional phrases. Remember that prepositions are words that show relationships between parts of sentences. A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, a noun or pronoun, and any words that modify the noun or pronoun. Some common prepositional words and phrases begin with: about below excepting off toward above beneath for on under across beside(s) from onto underneath after between in out until against beyond in front of outside up among but inside over upon around by in spite of past up to among concerning instead of regarding with at despite into since within because of down like through without before during near throughout with regard to behind except of to with respect to With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. The ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product. (remove the preposition with ) By paying too much attention to disruptive students can make a teacher grumpy. policies. Paying too much attention to disruptive students can make teacher grumpy. (remove the preposition by ) For doing photography for another newspaper got Phil fired. Doing photography for another newspaper got Phil fired. (remove the preposition for ) Phil got fired for doing photography for another newspaper. (rearrange the sentence) Other Types of Fragments

5 Word Groups that Start with Transitions Some fragments start with two- or three-word prepositions that function as transitions, such as as well as, as compared with, except for, in addition to, in contrast with, in spite of, and instead of. (See the list of prepositional phrases above for more examples.) For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer spending has been both steep and steady. As compared with the growth in gross domestic product (GDP), which has fluctuated significantly. For sixty-five years, the growth in consumer spending has been both steep and steady, as compared with the growth in gross domestic product (GDP), which has fluctuated significantly. Words and Phrases that Introduce Examples It is always a good idea to check words groups beginning with for example, like, specifically, such as, etc. Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as a princess. For example, falling out of favor with her sister, Queen Mary, and being imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth I of England faced many dangers as a princess. For example, she fell out of favor with her sister, Queen Mary, and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Appositives An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a noun or pronoun. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of troops in Vietnam. A former French colony in southeast Asia. In 1965, Lyndon Johnson increased the number of troops in Vietnam, a former French colony in southeast Asia. Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote The Yellow Wallpaper. A story with deep thoughts and emotions. Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote The Yellow Wallpaper, a story with deep thoughts and emotions. Lists Usually, you can connect a list to the preceding sentence using a colon. If you want to emphasize the list, consider using a dash (em dash) instead. In the 1930s, three great band leaders helped popularize Jazz. Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. In the 1930s, three great band leaders helped popularize Jazz: Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. Compound Predicates A compound predicate is made up of at least two verbs as well as their objects and modifiers, connected by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, so, or, nor, for, and yet. The parts of the predicate have the same subject and should be together in one sentence. The group gathered at dawn at the base of the mountain. And assembled their gear in preparation for the morning s climb. The group gathered at dawn at the base of the mountain and assembled their gear in preparation for the morning s climb. Ron and Tina packed their suitcases. And they packed some food as well. Ron and Tina packed their suitcases and some food as well.