Sentence Fragment

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Sample the Answer Keys and Tips Before Buying the eBook

If you would like a sample of what's in the ebook -- complete answers and tips -- please take a look at the Answer Key and Teaching Tips for Worksheet 4 of sentence fragments. It is six pages long. A link to the actual worksheet is also on the page. Remember, the worksheets are free; you can download them from the individual pages.

Click here for the sample answer key.

The Problem

Sentence fragments occur when the writer does not observe conventional boundaries between sentences. A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Here's an example:

Sentence Fragment: The paper on the desk.

What about the paper on the desk? This group of words starts with a capital letter and ends in a period. It is punctuated as a sentence, but it is not a sentence. This group of words is missing a verb or a verb phrase.

Complete Sentence: The paper on the desk fell to the floor.

How Do You Fix a Sentence Fragment?

• Add a verb or a verb phrase.

  FRAGMENT: For example, the cows grazing on the hillside.

  COMPLETE SENTENCE: The countryside seemed at peace. Take, for example, the cows grazing on the hillside.

  OR: The cows were grazing on the hillside.

  OR: We saw the cows grazing on the hillside.

• Attach the sentence fragment to the sentence before it or after it.

  FRAGMENT: Rivers cut deep canyons in the landscape. Weaving their way hundreds of miles through forests and mountains until they reach the ocean.

  COMPLETE SENTENCE: Rivers cut deep canyons in the landscape, weaving their way hundreds of miles through forests and mountains until they reach the ocean.

• Use a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore) instead of a subordinating conjunction (although, because, since).

  FRAGMENT: Jason never thought he could play baseball. Although, he eventually worked hard and started for his high school team.

  COMPLETE SENTENCE: Jason never thought he could play baseball. However, he eventually worked hard and started for his high school team.

• Attach a clause with a relative pronoun (who, whom, that, which, whose) to the sentence it belongs to.

  FRAGMENT: Mom always asked me to walk the dog. Who never had to go out anyway.

  COMPLETE SENTENCE: Mom always asked me to walk the dog, who never had to go out anyway.

• Attach a verb phrase that is punctuated as a sentence (the fragment) to the sentence it belongs to.

  FRAGMENT: The psychologist met with his clients in a relaxing environment. And encouraged them to meditate after the session.

  COMPLETE SENTENCE: James counselled his clients in a relaxing environment and encouraged them to meditate after the session.

The Worksheets

For a more detailed explanation and exercises in correcting comma splices, download the free worksheet. The worksheets are in PDF format.

The front page tells the student what a comma splice is and how to correct it. The second page consists of sentences that the student must correct. There is space provided below each sentence, so that the student actually has to write out the sentence, rather than merely identifying an error.

Worksheet 1, 7 Exercises

The following exercises are in the free PDF worksheets. The worksheets may be reproduced freely, and students must write out the complete, correct sentence.

1. Salt-water fish can be very colorful. For example, Parrot Fish.
2. Merwin passed the exam. Although, he got the last five questions wrong.
3. Robert has met his long-lost daughter. Who had been searching for him over twenty years.
4. Because the cities on the west coast of Florida receive cool breezes and warm water from the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Jenny never finished high school. Despite the fact that her parents were supportive and allowed her to stay at home after her arrest.
6. The conductor finished with a flourish. Waving his baton and gesticulating wildly with his free hand.
7. The house survived the tornado. Which clearly demonstrated that the building and zoning codes were sufficiently strict.

Worksheet 2, 18 Exercises

The following exercises are in the free PDF worksheets. The worksheets may be reproduced freely, and students must write out the complete, correct sentence.

1. Jason Smith, who was the first man from Georgia to serve on the ADFR Commission.
2. When I was given the opportunity to write a research paper on any topic of my choice.
3. Not just this wonderful appetizer, but the entire meal.
4. Making Florida the fourth largest state in the country.
5. Roddy Burdine set up his trading post along Brickell Avenue. And traded with settlers along the banks of the Miami River.
6. No idea about the relationship between the parents’ divorce and the child’s behavior.
7. For example, attending ski camp over the winter holidays.
8. In the midst of the storm, when thunder roars and lightning strikes.
9. Elvis Presly reacted to the situation. Running quickly to avoid the rapidly approaching mob.
10. Like the time my cousin threw me to the ground and yelled at me.
11. Beneath the expressway ramp outside the city limits.
12. Suffering from acute personality disorders for most of his adult life.
13. In order to become a cosmetologist and open her own beauty salon.
14. Beatrice was suspended. Despite the teacher’s having given her permission to publish a class web page.
15. With Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh all playing for the same team.
16. I got involved in extracurricular activities. Auditioning for the dance company during my first year of college.
17. Disgruntled by the reduction in health benefits because of the significant drop in tax revenue.
18. When Mr. Jenkins stumbled into the restaurant, reeking of alcohol and cigarettes.

Worksheet 3, 16 Exercises

The following exercises are in the free PDF worksheets. The worksheets may be reproduced freely, and students must write out the complete, correct sentence.

1. The economy has everyone in the world worried and stressed. Especially in the Midwest.
2. I have learned a lot in the five months I have worked at Walmart. Even more than I learned throughout high school.
3. Over the years as my aunt grew up into a woman and we adopted many of her traditions.
4. As I sit in my writing class to take the exit exam, so that I can pass this class.
5. Especially since most people in the United States would never travel to a strange new land just for adventure.
6. For example, my boyfriend my freshman year of high school.
7. After treatment with a therapist and his recovery from a life of alcohol addiction.
8. I would lie to my boss. Saying I could not work on a given day because I was busy with schoolwork or some other activity.
9. My mother, a nurse who gives so much of her time to the community by doing charity work, visiting nursing homes, and feeding the homeless.
10. Over the past few years, I have made many dumb decisions. Decisions ranging from not attending school on a test date to running from mall security guards.
11. In May of 2009, when my dad gave me an ultimatum of either going back to school or moving out of his house. I had to make a decision that would affect the rest of my life.
12. I started working at the university. Which not only helped me with money but also helped me focus on school.
13. I had been doing drugs for more than half my life. Letting the lives of my children pass by without my presence.
14. My mom always trying to make the right decisions so I could become a better person.
15. On a four-day, three-night college summit workshop held at Nova Southeastern University.
16. Decisions are made every day. Difficult decisions and even decisions about what to have for dinner.

Worksheet 4, 18 Exercises

Each item below contains a sentence fragment. Fix it in the space provided.

1. After the receptionist led the family to the table.
2. Being that Leonel Messi scored two goals in the last three minutes of the match.
3. Reprimanded by her coach for wearing the wrong colored shoes to the state championship match.
4. Despite Ramona having denied ever meeting Maggie’s husband at Le Chalet restaurant.
5. Limp, with orange-red tentacles waving from its bloated carcass next to the shoreline.
6. Sipping champagne in first class during Flight 321 from Kansas City to Atlanta.
7. Crossing 8th street quickly and running in the general direction of Marlins Stadium.
8. Stuffed with ground ham, onions, carrots, diced chestnuts and a peeled lemon.
9. But never after eating a five-course dinner at his fiancé’s mansion.
10. Without the material advantages of most of his classmates at Tufts University.
11. Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer Khaki pants and new penny loafers.
12. By giving half of his inheritance to Christ Journey Church for use in missionary work.
13. Sitting patiently in the waiting room, watching the Washington Nationals defeat the Cubs on Bryce Harper home run.
14. In addition to costing more than half of the entire budget allocation.
15. For example, the large cattleya orchid on the balcony overlooking the pool.
16. While I was quietly waiting to take my flu vaccine shot at the doctor’s office.
17. With nowhere to turn to after leaving home and staying at his girlfriend’s house for two weeks.
18. Like the time that Aunt Joan took us all to Disney World for spring break.

Sentence Fragment Links

• Purdue Online Writing Lab
• University of North Carolina
• Grammar Girl