Identifying Fragments

Front

What is a sentence fragment?

Back

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It typically lacks a main clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Identify a common indicator of a sentence fragment.

Back

A common indicator of a sentence fragment is the absence of a subject or a verb, or it may begin with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, when).

Front

What is the difference between a complete sentence and a fragment?

Back

A complete sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, while a fragment may lack one of these elements and does not convey a complete idea.

Front

Which of the following is a fragment? 'While I was walking to the store.'

Back

This is a fragment because it begins with a subordinating conjunction and does not express a complete thought.

Front

How can you fix a sentence fragment?

Back

You can fix a sentence fragment by adding the missing subject or verb, or by connecting it to a complete sentence.

Front

What role do subordinating conjunctions play in sentence fragments?

Back

Subordinating conjunctions can signal the beginning of a dependent clause, which may lead to a fragment if it is not connected to an independent clause.

Front

Provide an example of a complete sentence.

Back

'The dog barked loudly at the stranger.' This sentence has a subject ('the dog') and a verb ('barked') and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Front

Identify a fragment in the following: 'After the rain stopped, the sun came out.'

Back

There is no fragment in this sentence; it is a complete thought. However, 'After the rain stopped' could be a fragment if it stood alone.