Sentence Fragments

Words to know
Sentence Fragment- part of a sentence
that is written as if it were a complete
sentence
Does not have a subject, a predicate, or both
Does not express a complete thought

Subject- tells whom or what the sentence is

about
Predicate- states what the subject does or is
Dependent clause- has both a subject and
a verb, but does not express a complete
thought

Identifying Fragments
1. Look for the subject of the sentence.
2. Look for the predicate of the
sentence.
3. Rewrite the sentence to include the
missing piece.
4. Check for dependent clauses.

Step 1: Look for the subject

FRAGMENT:
Was probably a talkative child.
SENTENCE:
Kanye West was probably a talkative
child.

Step 1: Look for the subject

FRAGMENT:
went to the VMAs.

FRAGMENT:
tripped on the red carpet.

Step 2: Look for the

predicate
FRAGMENT:
Michael Jackson, because of his
influence on music in the 1980s and
1990s.
SENTENCE:
Michael Jackson was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
because of his influence on music in
the 1980s and 1990s.

Step 2: Look for the

predicate
FRAGMENT:
Because Adam Levine is entertaining
and knowledgeable.
SENTENCE:
Because Adam Levine is entertaining
and knowledgeable, he was chosen
to be a judge on The Voice.

Step 2: Look for the

predicate
FRAGMENT:
Taylor Swift on her guitar.

FRAGMENT:
Lady Gaga fabulously strong.

Step 4: Check for dependent

clauses
FRAGMENT:
When One Direction first arrived at the venue.
SENTENCE 1:
When One Direction first arrived at the venue,
there may have been as many as 10,000
screaming fans waiting outside.
SENTENCE 2:
When One Direction first arrived at the venue.

Step 4: check for dependent clauses

FRAGMENT:
After Beyonc took the stage.

FRAGMENT:
Looking for Bruno Mars.