Fragments A “fragment” is when a sentence is missing an aspect of a “complete sentence.” A “complete sentence” must express a complete thought and have at least one subject and one complete verb. There are various types of fragments… you will be required to avoid all of them! Fragment Definition Complete Sentence Definition

Fragments Types of Fragments: 1.Lacking a Subject a.Examples: -Fragment: Helped Teri wash her car. -Complete: Amy helped Teri wash her car. b.Don’t confuse an understood subject with an incomplete sentence! -In request or command sentences, the subject is not usually stated. -This is an understood subject and the subject is the unwritten you. -This is still a complete sentence! -Example: Put the dirty dishes in the sink! Lacking a Subject

Fragments Types of Fragments: 2. Lacking All or Part of a Verb a.Examples: -Fragment: Jenny swimming in the lake. -Complete: Jenny is swimming in the lake. -Fragment: Miss Manners sensible and humorous advice. -Complete: Miss Manners gives sensible and humorous advice. Lacking All or Part of a Verb

Fragments Types of Fragments: 3. Lacking Both a Subject and a Verb a.Some sentence fragments lack both a subject and at least part of a verb. b.Examples: -Fragment: A country with many interesting things to see and do. -Complete: Portugal is a country with many interesting things to see and do. Lacking Both Subject and Verb

Fragments Types of Fragments: 4. Lacking a Complete Thought a.Conversational phrases referencing assumed topics don’t always translate to normal writing. b.Examples: -Fragment: As long as you understand my problem. -Complete: It’s all right, as long as you understand my problem. -Fragment: When she told me, “You’re my best friend.” -Complete: I believed her when she told me, “You’re my best friend.” Lacking a Complete Thought

Fragments Types of Fragments: 5. Adding Subordinating Conjunction a.Subordinating Conjunctions are placed at the beginning of an independent clause that changes it to a dependent. b.Some of the most common are: -after- though- whether -although- that- which -because- until- while -before- when- who -if- where- why -since c.Examples: -Fragment: Because Mr. Jenkins arrives here at 7:30. -Complete: Mr. Jenkins arrives here at 7:30. Adding a Subordinating Conjunction