Fragments

What Is a Fragment?

A fragment is a group of words that lacks a subject or a verb and that does not express a complete thought. Every sentence must have a subject and a verb and must express a complete thought.

Most Common Way to Revise Fragments:

Using a comma, connect the fragment either to the sentence that precedes the fragment or follows it.

(fragment)

Ex: I closed my eyes. Praying the ball would not hit me.

Revision: I closed my eyes, praying the ball would not hit me.

(fragment)

Ex: Before I hit the ball. I closed my eyes.

Revision: Before I hit the ball, I closed my eyes.

Four Common Types of Fragments:

1. Dependent clause fragment

If a dependent clause is punctuated so that it stands alone, a fragment will result.

Fragment: After Gloria brushed the dog.

Revision: After Gloria brushed the dog, she washed him with the garden hose.

(Although the fragment contains a subject and verb, “Gloria brushed,” it is not a complete thought, so it cannot stand alone.)

2. “-ing” fragment

When an “-ing” word begins a group of words, it may produce a fragment.

Fragment: Trying to see craters on the moon.

Revision: The boy squinted into the telescope, trying to see craters on the moon.

3. “to” fragment

When “to” begins a group of words, a fragment may result.

Fragment: To do his part in helping the environment.

Revision: To do his part in helping the environment, Jack began recycling glass, tin, and aluminum.

4. Added-detail fragment

These fragments most commonly begin with the transitions “for example,” “such as,” and “especially.” These transitions always follow a complete sentence.

Fragment: Such as fried calamari with spicy marinara sauce.

Revision: Jane liked exotic dishes, such as fried calamari with spicy marinara sauce.

Remember:

A fragment expresses an incomplete thought that confuses your reader. To correct it, use a comma to connect the fragment either to the sentence that precedes the fragment or follows it.