Sentence Fragments

Vocabulary Terms

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A sentence fragment does not express a complete thought and often lacks a subject, a verb, or both

Literature Connection

A fragment is an incomplete part of something. A sentence fragment is a word or group of words that is only part of a sentence. People often use sentence fragments in conversation, as in the quotation from “Catch the Moon.”

“‘Home by ten. She did say something about a curfew, Luis.’ Mr. Cintró n had stopped smiling and was looking upset.’’

—Judith Ortiz Cofer, from “Catch the Moon”

Although the fragment Home by ten lacks both a verb and a subject. Luis understands that Mr. Cintr ón is reminding him of his curfew. Sometimes, however, a fragment that leaves out important information can be confusing.

Problem 1
Word group missing a subject, a verb, or both
Needs a new hubcap. [lacks a subject]
Only three hubcaps on the car. [lacks a verb]

Solution
Add the missing subject and/or verb.
The car needs a new hubcap.
The car only has three hubcaps.
Problem 2
Subordinate clause that does not express a complete thought
Because the judge sentenced him to work in the junkyard.

Solution A
Join the subordinate clause to a main clause.
Luis was helping his father because the judge sentenced him to work in the junkyard.

Solution B
Remove the subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the clause.
The judge sentenced him to work in the junkyard.