Fixing Fragments

Fragments can be difficult to identify because they blend into the writing. One useful trick is to begin at the end of the essay and read one sentence at a time working backward. This tends to make the fragments stand out from the surrounding text. Some common problems are fragments using a gerund or participle (words ending in -ing like "saying") or dependent clause fragments (clauses beginning with words like "because" or "which"). Once students have identified what kind of fragments they most commonly make, they can look for the same pattern as they proofread.

1. First, decide if each sentence actually is a sentence or if it is a fragment.
   • Is there a subject and verb?
   • Is there a word which comes before the subject and verb (like because or which that would make the clause dependent? Note: a word separated from the subject and verb by a comma (c.f., "Meanwhile, I sat down for lunch") does not make the clause dependent. Also the word then does not make a clause dependent.
2. If the sentence is actually a fragment, decide if it makes more sense to attach it to the previous sentence or the following sentence. Remember, base your decision on what makes sense.
3. If it doesn't seem like the fragment should be attached either to the previous sentence or the next one, look to see what can be changed to make the fragment into a sentence.
   • add a verb?
   • add a subject?
   • change a word into a subject or verb?
   • take something out?

Hint: The word which (and, in most cases, the word who) will never begin a sentence unless that sentence is a question.

Which way did he go? (Sentence)
Which is how I found him. (Fragment)

Who is following you? (Sentence)
Who walked me home after the dance. (Fragment)
Who walked me home after the dance is none of your business. (Sentence: Here the clause Who walked me home after the dance is a noun clause serving as the subject of the sentence.)

ENGL1010 Composition I