Handout # 7
The World Language Center
Sentence Fragments
What is a Sentence Fragment?
A Sentence Fragment is an incomplete sentence, which means that it does NOT express a complete
thought. If you said the fragment to someone on the street, the person would not understand you.
Do any of these fragments make sense?
After I get home.
Studying for hours.
Such as electrical, chemical, and mechanical.
The following are complete sentences (notice the use of commas):
After I get home, I will study for my test.
I stayed home, studying for hours.
Purdue offers many degrees in engineering, such as electrical and mechanical.
A Dependent Clause is another incomplete sentence that is similar to a fragment but has a subject and a verb.
This type of clause uses clause words, such as that, which, or who, as the subject, as examples:
That has the latest technology.
Which is extremely large.
Who is very cute.
Again, a complete sentence is needed.
Proofreading Strategies:
 Take a ruler or a blank piece of paper and cover up all but one line at a time.

Read aloud or to yourself each sentence.

Does it make sense by itself, or is it just a Sentence Fragment? Identify the:
Sentence, Verb, and Adjective, or
Sentence, Verb, and Object.
Do you have a complete sentence?

Ask yourself whether these words would make sense if they were combined with a full sentence. A
clause that has a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence is called an Independent Clause.

Look before and after the fragment to find a sentence to combine the fragment with or add words to
the fragment to make a full sentence.