Sentence fragments

Fragments are incomplete sentences. They are usually parts of sentences that have become disconnected from the main part of the sentence. Dependant clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences.

Use this flowchart to test for sentence completeness

Is there a verb? YES Is there a subject? YES Is the word group merely a dependent word group or phrase? NO It is a sentence. Here are some examples of fragments. Notice how they sometimes begin with words such as because or such that make the fragment a dependent clause or are simply long phrases starting with a word like which. He needs a mobile phone. Which is why he is looking in the paper. His office is located near the reception office. Because he needs to work closely with Jim Brown, his assistant. The supervisor was interested to attend the training session. The only course that was offered for supervisors from his area. The archaeologists were sub-surface testing in Angkor Wat. So they could identify the origins of the building. He needs a mobile phone, which is why he is looking in the paper. His office is located near the reception office, because he needs to work closely with Jim Brown, his assistant. The supervisor was interested to attend the training session, which was the only one that was offered for supervisors from his area. The archaeologists were sub-surface testing in Angkor Wat so they could identify the origins of the building. NO It is a fragment. NO It is a fragment.

YES

It is a fragment.

Journalists in magazines and newspapers sometimes write dependent clauses that follow on closely from the main clause as sentences for emphasis. However, in academic and formal writing, fragment sentences of this kind should be avoided.

Learning Links
Writing & Grammar Tips/sentence fragments

www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre/
February 2007

No main verb

Possible changes to make

The man who was carrying the briefcase walked quickly to the station.

The man who was carrying the briefcase. He looked out the window and saw the man who was carrying the briefcase. In Amsterdam, it is possible to find streets where there are bicycles all over the pavement. Bicycles were left all over the pavement. He left a book of notes outlining all his theories. A book of notes outlining all his theories. A book of notes outlined all his theories.

Bicycles all over the pavement.

No subject
Doing a good job to fix all the parts. Listening to everyones complaints all day. Open all day long to let in fresh air. The technician was doing a good job to fix all the parts. She was tired of listening to everyones complaints all The windows in the building are open all day long to let

Make these fragments into sentences

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The office with the large windows looking onto the street. The manager overseeing the project to build a skyscraper in Bourke Street. Because she is very happy working on the office newsletter. Such excellent feedback from the visiting auditor. Fred and Mary from the office on Southbank.

As you complete these exercises, think about what changes you are making to create a sentence. This should guide your writing of sentences in future.

Learning Links
Writing & Grammar Tips/sentence fragments

www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre/
February 2007