Sentence Fragment

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The Problem

Sentence fragments occur when the writer does not observe conventional boundaries between sentences. A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Here's an example:

Sentence Fragment: The paper on the desk.

What about the paper on the desk? This group of words starts with a capital letter and ends in a period. It is punctuated as a sentence, but it is not a sentence. This group of words is missing a verb or a verb phrase.

Complete Sentence: The paper on the desk fell to the floor.

How Do You Fix a Sentence Fragment?

Add a verb or a verb phrase.
FRAGMENT: For example, the cows grazing on the hillside.

COMPLETE SENTENCE: The countryside seemed at peace. Take, for example, the cows grazing on the hillside.

OR: The cows were grazing on the hillside.

OR: We saw the cows grazing on the hillside.
Attach the sentence fragment to the sentence before it or after it.
FRAGMENT: Rivers cut deep canyons in the landscape. Weaving their way hundreds of miles through forests and mountains until they reach the ocean.

COMPLETE SENTENCE: Rivers cut deep canyons in the landscape, weaving their way hundreds of miles through forests and mountains until they reach the ocean.
Use a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore) instead of a subordinating conjunction (although, because, since).
FRAGMENT: Jason never thought he could play baseball. Although, he eventually worked hard and started for his high school team.

COMPLETE SENTENCE: Jason never thought he could play baseball. However, he eventually worked hard and started for his high school team.
Attach a clause with a relative pronoun (who, whom, that, which, whose) to the sentence it belongs to.
FRAGMENT: Mom always asked me to walk the dog. Who never had to go out anyway.

COMPLETE SENTENCE: Mom always asked me to walk the dog, who never had to go out anyway.
Attach a verb phrase that is punctuated as a sentence (the fragment) to the sentence it belongs to.
FRAGMENT: The psychologist met with his clients in a relaxing environment. And encouraged them to meditate after the session.

COMPLETE SENTENCE: James counselled his clients in a relaxing environment and encouraged them to meditate after the session.