Fragments lack a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Listed below are different types of sentence fragments, along with examples and corrections.
Prepositional Phrase Fragments
Prepositional phrase fragments involve prepositions (for, to, during, through, etc.).
Examples:
He went to Florida. For a month.
Correction: He went to Florida for a month.
During the storm. The dog ran away.
Correction: During the storm, the dog ran away.
The dog ran away. During the storm.
Correction: The dog ran away during the storm.
Infinitive Fragments
Infinitive fragments are fragments that use the infinitive or dictionary form of a verb.
Examples:
Eric left college. To pursue a career in the NFL.
Correction: Eric left college to pursue a career in the NFL.
Sally turned down the job offer. To go to college.
Correction: Sally turned down the job offer to go to college.
-ing Fragments
These fragments use a verb that ends in -ing.
Examples:
The twins are full of mischief. Always looking for trouble.
Correction: Always looking for trouble, the twins are full of mischief.
Needing help. The woman called 911.
Correction: Needing help, the woman called 911.
Dependent Clauses
Dependent clause fragments do not express a complete thought. They need an independent clause to make them a complete sentence.
Examples:
After Simon won the lottery.
Correction: After Simon won the lottery, he purchased a new home.
Because Beatrice is allergic to cats.
Correction: Because Beatrice is allergic to cats, her husband cannot have one.
Fragments using subordinate clauses
These fragments happen when a writer tries to use a subordinate clause as a sentence.
Examples:
I will skip practice. Provided that it rains.
Correction: Provided that it rains, I will skip practice.
She has lived in Farmville. Since 2011.
Correction: She has lived in Farmville since 2011.
Relative pronoun fragments
These fragments include relative pronouns (that, which, who, whose, etc. ). These fragments cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Examples:
John dates Cindy. Who lives in Rustburg.
Correction: John dates Cindy who lives in Rustburg.
She is referencing Cindy. Whose mother won the lottery.
Correction: She is referencing Cindy whose mother won the lottery.
