1. Fragments

2. Definition
A fragment results when you do not have a subject, verb, or both in a sentence OR when the sentence does not express a complete thought due to a subordinate adverb.
And ran to the store. (No subject)
My uncle from Guatemala (No verb)
Because I ran out of gas (does not express a complete thought due to the word because)

3. Focus
Most of the fragment errors made by writers are the result of not expressing a complete thought due to subordinate words.
That will be the focus of this presentation.

4. Identify the error
Mr. Pickman had to buy a step stool for the kitchen. Because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets.
The error is that “because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets” does not express a complete thought. The sentence must be connected to the main idea of why he had to buy a step stool.

5. The Problem
The problem is the word because. It is a subordinate word and makes the idea dependent upon another complete idea.
There are many subordinate words; some common ones are when, before, after, since, until, and if

6. Fixing It
To fix the error, you either remove the subordinate word or attach the dependent idea to an independent idea.
Since subordinate words express a relationship between ideas, it’s best not to take the word out. Therefore, try to attach the fragment to a complete thought and keep the relationship.

7. Attaching the Fix
Mr. Pickman had to buy a step stool for the kitchen because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets. OR
Because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets, Mr. Pickman had to buy a step stool for the kitchen.

8. Rule
When the dependent clause comes first, use a comma to separate the two clauses.
Because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets, Mr. Pickman had to buy a step stool for the kitchen.
If the independent clause comes first, do not use a comma.
Mr. Pickman had to buy a step stool for the kitchen because he was too short to reach the top shelf of the cabinets.

9. Application
As you edit your essay and a classmate’s essay, I want you to focus on fragments looking for the following:
Do not let any clauses with subordinate words become fragments.
Attach all subordinate word clauses to a main idea.
Apply the comma rule as needed.