1. Chapter Twenty-Two
Fragments

2. Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but is not grammatically correct.
A sentence fragment may lack a subject, a verb, or an independent clause.
The wind velocity in hurricanes and monsoons.
The winds raging in hurricanes and monsoons.

3. Checking for Sentence Fragments
Locate the subject.
Locate the verb.
Inspires many poets and song writers. (This lacks a subject.)
The pleasant weather of May. (This lacks a verb.)

4. Phrases Lack a Subject or Verb
Verb phrase:
To take advantage of sunlight in photography.
Prepositional phrase:
Within the eye of the hurricane.

5. Phrases Lack a Subject or Verb
Noun phrase:
Various theories for weather forecasting.
Appositive phrase:
One popular weather topic, el Niño.

6. Look for Subordinate Conjunctions
A clause that begins with a subordinator (or dependent word) is a dependent clause.
These examples are not independent clauses.
If a tornado sweeps across the plains.
Because snow is beautiful in the moonlight.

7. Checking for Sentence Fragments
Look for relative pronouns.
Relative pronouns introduce clauses that modify nouns or pronouns (who, which, that).
The instructor who argued against class cancellations for snow.
Revised:The instructor who argued against class cancellations for snow was very unrealistic.

8. Relative Clause Fragments
Although relative clause fragments have both a subject and a verb, they cannot stand alone.
Bob who intends to buy a small tractor and a plow.
Revised: Bob, who intends to buy a small tractor and a plow, thinks he will earn money removing snow this winter.

9. Correcting Sentence Fragments
Combine the fragment with the sentence that precedes it or with the sentence that follows it.
Dramatic weather conditions do not always cause disasters. But at times create beautiful situations as well.
Correction: Dramatic weather conditions do not always cause disasters but at times create beautiful situations.

10. Revise Compound Predicate Fragments
The jet stream can pull cold air down from Canada. Or bring warm air up from Mexico.
The jet stream can pull cold air down from Canada or bring warm air up from Mexico.

11. Correct Dependent Clause Fragments
Dependent clause fragments begin with a subordinating conjunction (because, since, before).
Although air traffic controllers regulate flight patterns.
Corrected: Although air traffic controllers regulate traffic patterns, they cannot control the weather.

12. Be aware of situations that can lead to sentence fragments.
Examine a sentence that begins with a subordinating word.
Because hail fell on the peach blossoms.
Carefully select transitional words or phrases which introduce examples or a list.
For example, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

13. Sentence Fragments Fragment
Decide whether each sentence group is a correct sentence or if it is a sentence fragment. (Click to see the answer.)
Fragment
My Aunt Marie
being a good
cook.

14. Sentence Fragments Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
Correct
She can spend
hours reading
a cook book.

15. Sentence Fragments Fragment Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
Although she
says that she
doesn’t
like to read.
Fragment

16. Sentence Fragments Fragment Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
Special desserts
such as pecan pies,
chocolate cheese-cakes, and pumpkin cake roll.
Fragment

17. Sentence Fragments Correct Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
Aunt Marie’s
desserts are not
for those who are watching their diet.
Correct

18. Sentence Fragments Correct Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
Filled with cream and sugar, these delicacies
contain hundreds
of calories.
Correct

19. Sentence Fragments Correct Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
It often seems
that any food
item that tastes
good is fattening.
Correct

20. Sentence Fragments Fragment Decide whether each sentence
group is a correct sentence or
if it is a sentence fragment.
For example,
ice cream and
chocolate cake.
Fragment