Correct Sentence Fragments

As its name suggests, a sentence fragment is only part of a sentence; it is an incomplete thought.

To correct sentence fragments, first identify the missing elements and then add the words and punctuation that will make the fragment a complete sentence.

1. A sentence fragment may be missing a subject.

Fragment: Was never late returning from a break.
Sentence: I was never late returning from a break.

The fragment doesn’t tell you who was never late. Add a subject to correct the fragment.

2. A sentence fragment may be missing a predicate, or have an incomplete predicate.

Fragment: The new rule about breaks.
Sentence: The new rule about breaks is unnecessary .

The fragment doesn’t have a verb and makes you ask, “What about the rule?” Add a predicate to correct the fragment.

3. A sentence fragment may have a subject and predicate but still may not be a complete thought.

Fragment: Because we are all responsible workers. The rule should be eliminated.
Sentence: Because we are all responsible workers, the rule should be eliminated.

The fragment has a subject (we) and a predicate (are all responsible workers), but it is not a complete thought. The word because makes you wonder, “What happens because we are responsible workers?” To correct the fragment, complete the thought, or join the fragment to a nearby sentence by changing the punctuation.