Finding and Fixing Sentence Fragments - Study Notes

Subordinate Clause Fragments

  • Definition
    • A subordinate clause fragment (also called a dependent clause fragment) begins with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and includes a subject and a verb, but does not express a complete thought on its own.
    • In the analogy: the main clause is the boss; when the boss is absent, the subordinate clause goofs off and the sentence fails to communicate a full thought.
  • Markers (textual indicators that you’re looking at a subordinate clause fragment)
    • Subordinate conjunctions include: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, in case, in order that, insofar as, just as, no matter how, now that, once, that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, because, before, even if, even though, how, if, provided that, rather than, since, so that, than, where, whereas, wherever, whether, while, why
    • Relative pronouns include: that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whose, whosever, whomever
  • Examples (with breakdown)
    • Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra.
    • Because = subordinate conjunction; Chase = subject; caught = verb.
    • Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe.
    • Until = subordinate conjunction; Rachel = subject; notices = verb.
    • Even though Fred stuck straws up his nose.
    • Even though = subordinate conjunction; Fred = subject; stuck = verb.
    • Where the popcorn is stale and the soda flat.
    • Where = subordinate conjunction; popcorn = subject; is = verb.
    • Whom you can trust with the secret.
    • Whom = relative pronoun; you = subject; can trust = verb.
  • Significance
    • Identifying the marker helps you determine whether you are looking at a fragment and which punctuation or revision strategy to apply.
    • The presence of a subject and a verb does not guarantee a complete thought unless there is a main clause to complete the idea.

Participle Phrase Fragments

  • Definition
    • A participle phrase fragment often begins with a word ending in -ing (present participle) or -ed (past participle). Irregular past participles (e.g., broken, swum) also can begin the fragment.
    • There is no main clause to complete the thought; the creation is a fragment by itself.
  • Marker
    • The marker is the present or past participle at the beginning of the fragment.
  • Examples
    • Sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk.
    • All the while twirling the batons with the speed and ferocity of helicopter blades.
    • Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp.
    • Hidden in the bureau drawer underneath a pile of mismatched socks.

Infinitive Phrase Fragments

  • Definition
    • An infinitive phrase fragment begins with to + base form of the verb (To + Verb); more words may follow the phrase, but there is no main clause to complete the thought.
  • Marker
    • The marker is TO + VERB.
  • Examples
    • Only to watch in dismay as Professor Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink.
    • To catch butterflies for her biology project.
    • To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands.

Afterthought Fragments

  • Definition
    • An afterthought fragment clarifies earlier information by providing specific details and does not contain a main clause.
  • Markers
    • Common starters for afterthought fragments: especially, except, excluding, for example, for instance, including, like, and such as.
  • Examples
    • For example, leaky pens, candy wrappers, dollar bills, and paperclips.
    • Including the dog with three legs and the cat with one eye.
    • Such as leaving the stove on and teasing mean dogs.

Lonely Verb Fragments

  • Definition
    • A lonely verb fragment arises when a subject is missing; the verb stands alone, “pining for its partner.”
  • Marker
    • It often begins with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet).
  • How to identify
    • The missing subject is typically signaled by the question: Who? or What?
  • Examples
    • And dashed through the downpour as raindrops softened the hairspray shell holding her elaborate coif in place.
    • But knew that all his effort would prove useless in the long run.
    • Took the thick book and, with a heavy sigh, loaded it on top of her research pile.

Appositive Fragments

  • Definition
    • An appositive is a noun phrase that renames and clarifies another noun; appositives can be long and are often mistaken for a complete sentence.
  • Marker
    • An appositive fragment will begin with a noun and usually include clarifying phrases or subordinate clauses after it.
  • Examples
    • The unprepared student who was always begging for an extra pencil and a couple sheets of blank paper.
    • A slacker wasting his afternoon in front of the television.
    • A dog around whom people need to guard their fingers and food.
  • Fixing approach
    • Option 1: add a verb to form a main clause (e.g., add a verb to the appositive phrase).
    • Option 2: connect the appositive to a main clause.
  • Punctuation note
    • Punctuation Rule 9: No matter where you attach the appositive—beginning, middle, or end—always use comma(s) to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
    • Example variants:
    • The slacker wasting his afternoon in front of the television, Brian, opened a bag of potato chips instead of his chemistry textbook.
    • Brian, a slacker wasting his afternoon in front of his television, opened a bag of potato chips instead of his chemistry textbook.
    • On the lawn chair lay Rocket, a dog around whom people need to guard their fingers and food.

How to Fix Fragments: Core Principle

  • Core idea
    • You can fix any fragment by either: 1) revising the fragment so that it includes a main clause, or 2) connecting the fragment to a main clause that comes before or after it.
  • Connecting fragments requires proper punctuation. The text outlines specific rules for different fragment types.
  • Nine punctuation rules (overview)
    • Rule 1: Main Clause + Ø + Subordinate Clause
    • Rule 2: Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause
    • Rule 3: Main Clause + , + Participle Phrase
    • Rule 4: Participle Phrase + , + Main Clause
    • Rule 5: Main Clause + Ø + Infinitive Phrase
    • Rule 6: Infinitive Phrase + , + Main Clause
    • Rule 7: Main Clause + , + Afterthought Transition + Ø + Details
    • Rule 8: Main Clause + Ø + Lonely Verb Phrase
    • Rule 9: No matter where you attach the appositive—beginning, middle, or end—always use comma(s) to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
  • Additional note on punctuation when fixing lonely verb fragments
    • If the coordinating conjunction beginning the lonely verb phrase connects three or more verbs, you will need a comma (Comma Tip 4).

Fixing Subordinate Clause Fragments (practical steps)

  • Step 1: Remove the subordinating word to form a main clause (only if the meaning allows).
    • Example: Because Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra. -> Chase caught the eye of the beautiful brunette in algebra.
  • Step 2: If you need the subordinating word for meaning, connect the fragment to a main clause using the rules:
    • Rule 1: Main Clause + Ø + Subordinate Clause
    • Example: We will continue giggling until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe.
    • Rule 2: Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause
    • Example: Until Rachel notices the toilet paper stuck to her shoe, we will not know what happens. (illustrative)

Fixing Participial Phrase Fragments

  • Step 1: Add a main clause to complete the thought.
    • Example: Sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk.
    • Fixed: The little lizards were sunning themselves on the hot concrete until they heard human feet crashing down the sidewalk.
  • Step 2: Attach the participial phrase after a main clause (Rule 3).
    • Example: The majorette marched at the front of the parade, all the while twirling her batons with the speed and ferocity of helicopter blades.
  • Step 3: Place the participial phrase before a main clause (Rule 4).
    • Example: Sucked down the pipe with a hearty slurp, the dirty bath water drained from the tub.

Fixing Infinitive Phrase Fragments

  • Step 1: Convert to a full sentence by supplying a subject and conjugating the verb.
    • Example fragment: Only to watch in dismay as Professor Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink.
    • Fixed: Amber watched in dismay as Professor Frazier poured her chemistry experiment into the sink.
  • Step 2: Attach infinitive phrase after a main clause (Rule 5).
    • Example: Main Clause + Ø + Infinitive Phrase
    • Example: Jossie enlisted the help of several spiders to catch butterflies for her biology project. (infinitive phrase attached after main clause)
  • Step 3: Place infinitive phrase before a main clause (Rule 6).
    • Example: To break a piece of plywood with his bare hands, Daniel followed his karate teacher's advice and focused his power.

Fixing Afterthought Fragments

  • Step 1: Insert a missing subject and verb to create a main clause.
    • Example: For example, leaky pens, candy wrappers, dollar bills, and paperclips.
    • Fixed: For example, the desk drawer contained leaky pens, candy wrappers, dollar bills, and paperclips.
  • Step 2: Attach the afterthought to a main clause (Rule 7).
    • Rule 7: Main Clause + , + Afterthought Transition + Ø + Details
    • Example: John has many unsafe habits, such as leaving the stove on and teasing mean dogs.

Fixing Lonely Verb Fragments

  • Step 1: Insert a subject to complete the verb (repair as a standalone sentence).
    • Example: And dashed through the downpour as raindrops softened the hairspray shell holding her elaborate coif in place. -> Betty dashed through the downpour as raindrops softened the hairspray shell holding her elaborate coif in place.
  • Step 2: Attach the fragment to a prior main clause (Rule 8).
    • Rule 8: Main Clause + Ø + Lonely Verb Phrase
    • Example: With a heavy sigh, Darryl began counting the words of his essay but knew that all his effort would prove useless in the long run.
  • Note: If the coordinating conjunction beginning the lonely verb phrase connects three or more verbs, use a comma (Comma Tip 4).

Fixing Appositive Fragments

  • Step 1: Add a verb to create a main clause, turning the appositive into part of a full sentence.
    • Example: The unprepared student who was always begging for an extra pencil and a couple sheets of blank paper sneezed. (could also become: The unprepared student sneezed.)
  • Step 2: Connect the appositive to a main clause.
    • Rule 9: No matter where the appositive attaches, always use commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
  • Examples (showing both options):
    • The unprepared student who was always begging for an extra pencil and a couple sheets of blank paper, sneezed.
    • Brian, a slacker wasting his afternoon in front of the television, opened a bag of potato chips instead of his chemistry textbook.
  • Importance of commas with appositive fragments
    • Always use comma(s) to separate the appositive from the rest of the sentence regardless of position.

Practical Connections and Tips

  • Why fragments matter
    • Fragments disrupt clarity and flow; recognizing and correcting fragments improves readability and communication.
  • Quick identification tips
    • Look for markers: subordinating conjunctions/relative pronouns (for subordinate fragments), participles (ing/ed), to + verb (infinitives), phrases like especially/for example/including/like/such as (afterthought), and conjunctions like and/but/etc. (lonely verb).
  • Real-world relevance
    • In essays, reports, and professional writing, correct sentence structure signals professionalism and credibility.
  • Summary of key strategy
    • Identify fragment type by markers, decide whether to revise or connect, apply the appropriate punctuation rule, and ensure the final sentence has a main clause with a clear subject and a finite verb.

Quick-reference: Nine Punctuation Rules (for Fragment Fixes)

  • Rule 1: Main Clause + Ø + Subordinate Clause
  • Rule 2: Subordinate Clause + , + Main Clause
  • Rule 3: Main Clause + , + Participle Phrase
  • Rule 4: Participle Phrase + , + Main Clause
  • Rule 5: Main Clause + Ø + Infinitive Phrase
  • Rule 6: Infinitive Phrase + , + Main Clause
  • Rule 7: Main Clause + , + Afterthought Transition + Ø + Details
  • Rule 8: Main Clause + Ø + Lonely Verb Phrase
  • Rule 9: No matter where you attach the appositive—beginning, middle, or end—always use comma(s) to separate it from the rest of the sentence.