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Sentence Fragments

Definition

Causes of Sentence Fragments

Cause1: Presenting only a topic (or title) instead of a thesis or topic sentence

Cause2: Beginning with “which” to add a comment instead of with “This” or “that” or “these.”

Cause3: Separating a fragmentary comment

Cause4: Listing details or examples

Cause5: Not recognizing conjunctions that turn complete sentences into fragments

Cause6: Not recognizing pronouns (“that” or “who”) that turn complete sentences into fragments

Cause7: Using verb forms that need a helper to be complete

Cause8: Presenting a subject but waiting until the next sentence to say something about it

Cause9: Assuming the subject of an earlier sentence is understood as the subject of a new sentence

 

Definition
This error happens when a period or semicolon falsely indicates that a group of words can stand alone as a sentence when really it cannot.

Can you ever use fragments? Of course. Anyone can use a fragment to answer a question.

Even safe drivers sometimes break traffic laws if obeying them seems unreasonable or dangerous; however, they would not choose to break these laws during a driver’s license test.

 

You are being tested on the rules. After you pass the course, you can decide when you can risk breaking a rule to achieve a special effect. For now, show that you know the rules and obey them.

Causes of Sentence Fragments
Cause1: Presenting only a topic (or title) instead of a thesis or topic sentence
X How to buy a used car without getting burned.

C One should mistrust when buying a used car.

X A horrible family cruise to Cozumel.

C The family cruise to Cozumel was horrible.

X The hazards of hiking alone.

C Hiking alone can be hazardous.

X The car accident that ruined my life for months.

C My car accident ruined my life for months.

X Why Susie should dump her boy friend.

C Susie should dump her boy friend.

X The pros and cons of living away from home.

C Living away from home brings many responsibilities.

Cause2: Beginning with “which” to add a comment instead of with “This” or “that” or “these.”
X Then the transmission broke down. Which cost over $400 to be fixed.

C Then the transmission broke down. It cost over $400 to be fixed.

C Then the transmission broke down, costing over $400 to be fixed.

X Instead of a new car, they gave me a computer. Which was not what I wanted.

C Instead of a new car, he gave me a computer. This was not what I wanted.

C Instead of a new car, he gave me a computer, which was not what I wanted.

 

Cause3: Separating a fragmentary comment
X Last week I loaned Jim $200. Generous of me but not very smart.

C Last week I loaned Jim $200. This was generous of me but not smart.

X He was tall, handsome, friendly, and dumb. An ideal type to succeed in politics.

C He was tall, handsome, friendly, and dumb. He was ideal to succeed in politics.

X My new boy friend has tattoos, body piercing, and a Harley. My mother’_ lifelong nightmare in the flesh.

C My new boy friend has tattoos, body piercing, and a Harley. He is my mother’_ lifelong nightmare in the flesh.

Cause4: Listing details or examples
X Her boy friend has his faults. Like staring at other women and listening to her phone calls on the extension.

C Her boy friend has his faults. He stares at other women and listens to her phone calls on the extension.

X Then we bought all kinds of hurricane supplies. Batteries, water, canned food, booze, things like that.

C Then we bought all kinds of hurricane supplies, including batteries, water, canned food, and booze.

Cause5: Not recognizing conjunctions that turn complete sentences into fragments
X Al didn’t get the job. Although he deserved it.

C Al did not get the job although he deserved it.

X My brother was fired. Because he missed three straight days at work.

C My brother was fired because he missed three straight days at work.

X I will gladly take you to the concert. If you help me with my homework.

C If you help me with me homework, I will gladly take you to the concert.

X As the horse entered the far turn on the muddy track. She stumbled and threw her jockey.

C As the horse entered the far turn on the muddy track, she stumbled and threw her jockey.

Cause6: Not recognizing pronouns (“that” or “who”) that turn complete sentences into fragments
X One thing that is most important in divorce.

C One consideration is most important in divorce.

C One consideration that is most important in divorce is the children.

X The low cut prom dress that my sister picked out over my father’_ objections.

C The low cut prom dress that my sister picked out over my father’_ objections was too sexy.

C My father objected to the low cut prom dress that my sister picked out.

X The candidate that spent the most money during the election.

C The candidate who spent the most money during the election did not win.

Cause7: Using verb forms that need a helper to be complete
X Parents have many duties. Taking time to play with the children. Providing food and a safe place to live. Setting a good example.

C Parents have many duties. They must take time to play with the children, provide food and a safe place to live, and set a good example.

X Street drugs. A problem faced by kids today.

C Today kids face the problem of street drugs.

X We wasted the whole day. Hanging out at the mall and driving around without finding any action.

C We wasted the whole day hanging out at the mall and driving around without finding any action.

X To waste his future by taking drugs.

C He is wasting his future by taking drugs.

Cause8: Presenting a subject but waiting until the next sentence to say something about it
X Living at home or moving into an apartment. Each has its good and bad points.

C Both living at home and moving into an apartment have good and bad points.

X Violence in movies and television. It is a hotly debated problem.

C Violence in movies and television is a hotly debated problem.

X The soaps. Everyone watches them but no one admits it.

C Many watch the soaps, but few admit it.

Cause9: Assuming the subject of an earlier sentence is understood as the subject of a new sentence
X We got a lot accomplished. We cleaned out the garage. Trimmed all the fruit trees. Painted the back door.

C We got a lot accomplished. We cleaned out the garage, trimmed all the fruit trees, and painted the back door.

X Then there’_ my delinquent cousin Harry. Arrested five times for joy riding, once for car theft, and twice for shop-lifting.

C My delinquent cousin Harry was arrested five times for joy riding, once for car theft, and twice for shop-lifting.

Last updated 9/18/06

This document is protected by copyright. It may be used and reproduced only for non-profit educational use.