Fragments are incomplete sentences. The next few examples are not sentences, but word groups that are incomplete sentences (fragments). 

1. After Starbucks Coffee opened. Several local coffee shops went out of business.  

2. Several young people are learning old-fashioned dances. Such as ballroom dancing for the Nutcracker ballet. 

3. The woman always wears pant suits and heels to the office. Then takes off her heels and jacket by noon. 

1. After Starbucks Coffee opened. This statement does not follow through and complete the thought by telling what happened after Starbucks opened. Correct the fragment by adding it to the sentence that precedes it.  

2. Such as ballroom dancing for the Nutcracker ballet. This word group does not have a subject and a verb, and it does not express a complete thought. 

3. Then takes off her heels and jacket by noon. This word group lacks a subject. Correct the fragment by adding the subject she to the beginning of group of words. 
 

A word group must contain a subject and a verb for it to be a complete sentence. A complete sentence will also express a complete thought and it either stands alone or could stand alone. This is also known as an independent clause. You can spot a fragment because it will not make sense by itself. A fragment is less than a sentence because it lacks a subject, lacks a verb, and does not express a complete thought.  

The following material will cover the four most common types of fragments, with examples and instruction on how to correct these fragments. 

Dependent-Word Fragments

Although dependent-word fragments do contain a subject and a verb, they do not express a complete thought. To complete the thought, they depend on another statement, usually that comes after the fragment.  

Example: Dependent-Word Fragment

Because my neighbor was playing loud music. I could not fall asleep. 

This fragment begins with a dependent word because. The incomplete thought it expresses is completed in the statement that follows it. 

Example: Correcting the Dependent-Word Fragment

Because my neighbor was playing loud music, I could not fall asleep. 

Dependent Words 

After, Although, Because, Before, Even if, If, Since, That, Unless, Until, What, When, Which, While, Who 

(These words help complete a sentence smoothly. When a dependent word is introduced to complete a sentence, the statement is also known as a subordinate clause.) 

*Don’t forget, whenever you begin a statement with a dependent word, make sure you complete your thought. 
 

-ing and to Fragments

A fragment may occur when an –ing or to appear at or near the beginning of a word group.  

Example: -ing Fragments

The children went to sleep early on Christmas Eve. Wishing that Santa Claus would bring them extra toys. 

In this example, the first statement is a complete sentence, expressing a complete thought. The second word group, however, is not a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. The second word group can not stand alone or make sense by itself.  

Example: Correcting the –ing Fragment

The children went to sleep early on Christmas Eve, wishing that Santa Claus would bring them extra toys.

Or

The children went to sleep early on Christmas Eve. They were wishing that Santa Cluas would bring them extra toys.  
 

Example: to Fragments

To make gingerbread houses with all the right ingredients. Many moms shop well in advance for candy, gingerbread, and icing. 

In this example, the second statement is a complete sentence. The first word group, however, lacks a subject and verb and does not express a complete thought. Therefore, it is a fragment that must be corrected. 

Example: Correcting the to Fragment

To make gingerbread houses with all the right ingredients, many moms shop well in advance for candy, gingerbread, and icing.

Or

Many moms shop well in advance for candy, gingerbread, and icing. They want to make gingerbread houses with all the right ingredients. 

*Don’t Forget! There are two ways to fix –ing and to fragments

1. Connect the –ing or the to fragment to the sentence it explains.

2. You can turn a fragmented sentence into a complete sentence by adding a subject and a verb.  
 

Added-Detail Fragment

An added detail fragment often begins with one of the following words: like, including, especially, also, for example, for instance, except, without, or such as. 

Example: Added-Detail Fragments

Almost every guy loves sports. Especially football. 

Many college students experience stress. For example, about money, grades, work, and relationships. 

Example: Correcting the Added-Detail Fragment

Almost every guy loves sports, especially football.

Or

Many college students experience stress. For example, they worry about money, grades, work, and relationships. 

*Notice, there are two ways to correct added-detail fragments.

1. Connect the fragment to the sentence it explains.

2. You can turn a fragmented sentence into a complete sentence by adding a subject and a verb. 
 

Missing-Subject Fragments

Sometimes a fragment will contain a verb, but it will lack a subject making it an incomplete sentence. 

Example: Missing-Subject Fragment

The kids dug a large hole in the sand. And then filled it with fire wood for later. 

Example: Correcting the Missing-Subject Fragment

The kids dug a large hole in the sand and then filled it with fire wood for later.

Or

The kids dug a large hole in the sand. Then they filled it with fire wood for later. 

*Again, there are two ways to fix missing-subject fragments.

1. Connect the missing-subject fragment to the sentence it follows.

2. Create a new sentence by adding a subject to the fragment. Normally, you will add a pronoun standing for the subject of the previous sentence. 

Practice

Now practice what you’ve learned. Write two possible corrections for each of the fragments below and identify which of the four types of fragments you have corrected. 

1. To give toys to charity. The school set up a toy drive. Ing/to

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2. Unless the roads are smooth. I get car sick when I drive.

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3. The laundry was piled twice her height. But didn’t wash her clothes.

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4. I love long walks in the park. Except when it’s hot outside.

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