Grammar: The Sentence Fragment

The following lesson can be found in our best-selling grammar book, Abrams’ Guide to Grammar.

A sentence needs a subject and a verb. It must include at least one clause capable of standing alone (independent clause). An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and makes a complete statement.

A dependent clause may not stand alone as a sentence. Although it contains both a subject and a verb, a dependent clause does not express a complete statement. The following words (subordinating conjunctions), and other similar words, will make a clause incapable of standing alone. The more important information should always be in the independent clause; the less important, in the dependent clause.

A sentence fragment is a word group that cannot stand alone as a sentence but is punctuated as if it were a sentence. A fragment is difficult to understand because it is an incomplete statement.

Here are some examples of sentence fragments:

• Running for the bus that was turning the corner.
• The man with the large, black briefcase.
• While we waited during the rainstorm.
• In the afternoon before the meeting.
• That we had a good idea for the convention that was to be held in Houston, Texas, next month.

Here are 10 sentences. See if you can pick out the sentences from the fragments (the answers appear lower down):

1. He went to the conference.
2. When he went to the conference.
3. When he went to the conference, he met with training officers from many Government agencies.
4. As mentioned in the preceding letter.
5. As mentioned in the preceding letter, we will send you a draft of this year’s report.
6. We will send you a draft of this year’s report.
7. Regarding your letter of April 15 about the recent revisions to the Federal Tax Code and their implications for the U.S. economy.
8. Thank you for your letter of April 15 about the recent revisions to the Federal Tax Code and their implications for the U.S. economy.
9. We read with interest your letter of April 15 about the recent revisions to the Federal Tax Code and their implications for the U.S. economy.
10. With respect to your letter of April 15 about the recent revisions to the Federal Tax Code and their implications for the U.S. economy.

_______________________________________

Answers:

Key: S=Sentence; F=Fragment

1. S-The sentence has one independent clause.
2. F-The word when makes this word group a dependent clause.
3. S-The sentence has one independent clause (he met with training officers from many Government agencies) and one dependent clause (When he went to the conference).
4. F-This word group is a phrase, as it has neither a subject nor a verb.
5. S-The sentence has one independent clause (we will send you a draft of this year’s report) with an introductory phrase (As mentioned in the preceding letter).
6. S-The sentence has one independent clause.
7. F-This word group is a phrase, as it has neither a subject nor a verb.
8. S-The sentence has one independent clause.
9. S-The sentence has one independent clause.
10. F-This word group is a phrase, as it has neither a subject nor a verb.