What is a Fragment?

A sentence and a fragment are both groups of words. They both begin in capital letters and end in punctuation marks. However, the main difference between the two is: a sentence has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought, while a fragment is only a piece of the complete idea that has been punctuated.

Example:

I love chocolates. (a sentence)
Because I love chocolates. (a fragment)

Identifying Fragments

A student must learn to identify fragments in writing. It will be easier for them to fix or correct fragments. Fragments can be phrases, clauses, or any group of words that begins in capital letter and ends in an end marks such as period (.), question marks (?), or exclamation point (!).

There are different types of fragments. These are:

1. Subordinate Clause - a group of words that begins with a subordinating conjunction and has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.
Ex. When she forgot to deliver her message effectively to the audience.

2. Participle Phrase - a verb that ends in -ing, a verb that ends in -ed, or the past or past participle form of an irregular verb.
Ex. Walking down the street.

3. Infinitive Phrase - a phrase that begins with the word "to" followed by a verb and the words that follow.
Ex. To perambulate through the corridor.

4. Afterthought Phrase - a group of words that begins with an "after thought" transition such for example, such as, including, like, etc.
Ex. For example, a candlelit dinner, a bouquet of red roses, and a bunch of chocolates.

5. Lonely Verb - a group of words that begins with a coordinating conjunctions followed by a verb and the words that follow.
Ex. And try to reach out to those in need.

6. Appositive Phrase - a phrase that renames or identifies the subject in the sentence.
Ex. The businessman standing at the corner of the room.


Being familiar with the different types of fragments can guide you detect one or two in passages or paragraphs and will lead you to correct or fix them once you have encountered them in your reading.

For further perusals you can visit//chompchomp.com/handouts/fragtip02.pdf