Grammar:
How to Fix Sentence Fragments
What is a Fragment?
A fragment is a “piece” (or part) of a sentence because it is missing a subject, verb, or a complete idea.
How to Fix Fragments
Earlier, we learned that we can fix a fragment by adding a subject, verb, or complete idea to the fragment.
Another way to fix a fragment is to combine it with the sentence that comes before or after it. Let’s look at the group of sentences below:
Hiking, a popular activity, is a rewarding experience. Where you can enjoy nature and get exercise at the same time. Many people like to hike alone, while others prefer to hike in groups.
Can you find the fragment in that group of sentences? It is a little harder to find. The fragment is: Where you can enjoy nature and get exercise at the same time. It is not a complete thought because of the word “where.”
We can fix this fragment by combining it with the sentence that comes before it. See below:
Hiking, a popular activity, is a rewarding experience where you can enjoy nature and get exercise at the same time.
Practice Problems
- The following phrase is a fragment. Is it missing a subject, verb, or complete idea?: Elizabeth found.
- The following phrase is a fragment. Is it missing a subject, verb, or complete idea?: Really enjoys walks through the forest.
- The following phrase is a fragment. Is it missing a subject, verb, or complete idea?: Although it quickly.
- Which part of the following passage is a fragment?: I grew up in the country. Taking trips to the nearby mountains. I have many happy memories of family camping trips.
- Which part of the following passage is a fragment?: Tomas is a “foodie.” Which means he enjoys eating and reading about good food. He even writes about food on his blog.