What are Sentence Fragments?
A sentence fragment is a group of words that doesn’t express a complete thought. It lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it impossible to stand alone as a complete sentence. Sentence fragments are common errors in writing, but they can be easily fixed with a few simple steps.
Why are Sentence Fragments a Problem?
Sentence fragments can make your writing unclear, confusing, and difficult to read. They can also disrupt the flow of your sentence and make it hard for the reader to follow your argument. In academic and professional writing, sentence fragments are considered a serious error and can lead to deductions in grades or credibility.
How to Identify Sentence Fragments
Identifying sentence fragments is the first step to fixing them. Here are some common types of sentence fragments:
- Lack of subject: A sentence without a subject is a fragment. For example, “Running down the street.”
- Lack of verb: A sentence without a verb is a fragment. For example, “The big red car.”
- Dependent clause: A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but can’t stand alone as a complete sentence. For example, “Because I forgot my lunch.”
- Incomplete thought: A sentence that doesn’t express a complete thought is a fragment. For example, “The new policy, which is expected to increase productivity.”
How to Fix Sentence Fragments
Fixing sentence fragments is easy once you identify them. Here are some steps to fix common types of sentence fragments:
- Add a subject: Add a subject to the sentence to make it complete. For example, “The dog is running down the street.”
- Add a verb: Add a verb to the sentence to make it complete. For example, “The big red car is driving down the street.”
- Combine with an independent clause: Combine the dependent clause with an independent clause to make a complete sentence. For example, “Because I forgot my lunch, I had to buy a sandwich.”
- Complete the thought: Complete the thought by adding more information to the sentence. For example, “The new policy, which is expected to increase productivity, will be implemented next quarter.”
📝 Note: When fixing sentence fragments, make sure to read the sentence out loud to ensure it sounds complete and natural.
Examples of Fixed Sentence Fragments
Here are some examples of fixed sentence fragments:
- Original: “Running down the street.” Fixed: “The kids are running down the street.”
- Original: “The big red car.” Fixed: “The big red car is driving down the street.”
- Original: “Because I forgot my lunch.” Fixed: “Because I forgot my lunch, I had to buy a sandwich.”
- Original: “The new policy, which is expected to increase productivity.” Fixed: “The new policy, which is expected to increase productivity, will be implemented next quarter.”
Conclusion
Fixing sentence fragments is an easy process that can improve the clarity and coherence of your writing. By identifying the type of sentence fragment and applying the simple steps outlined above, you can fix sentence fragments and make your writing more effective. Remember to always read your sentences out loud to ensure they sound complete and natural.
What is a sentence fragment?
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A sentence fragment is a group of words that doesn’t express a complete thought. It lacks a subject, a verb, or both, making it impossible to stand alone as a complete sentence.
Why are sentence fragments a problem?
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Sentence fragments can make your writing unclear, confusing, and difficult to read. They can also disrupt the flow of your sentence and make it hard for the reader to follow your argument.
How do I fix a sentence fragment?
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Fixing a sentence fragment depends on the type of fragment. You can add a subject, add a verb, combine with an independent clause, or complete the thought to fix a sentence fragment.
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