2 Sentence - Fragments
2 Sentence - Fragments
Definition: A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It is missing one or more of the following parts:
a subject
a verb
a coherent thought
Example #1
Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a bird in the middle of the road out in the storm.
Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the
word "while." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a
verb.
Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you saw a bird sitting in
the middle of the road out in the storm.
Example #1 (corrected)
Yesterday, while I was driving to work and saw a sitting bird in the middle of the road out in the
storm, I thought it must have wandered away from its nest.
Example #2
When I went to the movies last week and I ran into a friend.
Grammatical Error: This sentence fragment does not contain an independent clause because of the
word "when." Therefore, it does not contain a complete thought even though there is a subject and a
verb.
Reasoning: This sentence fragment does not tell you what happened when you went to the movies
last week and ran into a friend.
Example 2 (corrected)
When I ran into a friend at the movies last week, I suggested we sit together.
1) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road.
a) complete sentence b) fragment
6) Because I didn't have time to write my paper and the computer was broken anyway.
a) complete sentence b) fragment
8) Whether I complete this course and get credit for it in the fall.
a) complete sentence b) fragment
9) Until I can learn to manage my time better, I am afraid I will always be late.
a) complete sentence b) fragment
10) So that I don't spend too much time on any of my projects, I make sure I take frequent breaks.
a) complete sentence b) fragment
1) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road.
a.) While I was driving to work and saw an accident.
b.) While I was driving to work, there was an accident on the road.
c.) While I was driving to work and there was an accident on the road, but I didn't stop.
3) Because I did not have time to write my paper and the computer was broken.
a.) Because I did not have time to write my paper and the computer was broken, I got an F.
b.) I did not have time to write my paper and because the computer was broken.
c.) Because I did not have time to write my paper and realize that the computer broke.