How to Fix a Sentence Fragment

Sentence fragments are fairly simple to fix once you know a few basic steps. The key to success is to first be able to recognize a sentence fragment. One quick method to finding sentence fragments is to read your essay backward. Also, check your sentence to ensure it has a subject and a verb. If it is missing either, then you have a fragment. Here are some quick fixes for the pesky sentence fragment.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dictionary
• Grammar book

1. Attach the sentence fragment to the sentence that comes before or after the fragment. Often, all that is needed to fix a fragment is to completely remove the punctuation from the sentence and rewrite the sentence into an existing one.

2. Add a verb. If you have determined that the sentence is a fragment because it is missing a verb, simply add one to make a complete sentence.

3. Add a subject. If you have determined that the sentence is a fragment because it is missing a subject, simply add one of those to make a complete sentence.

4. Fix the punctuation. Many times, a sentence is a fragment because the punctuation is in the wrong place or the wrong punctuation has been used. Grab your grammar book and check your use of commas, semi-colons and periods. Then rewrite the sentence as needed.

5. Remove the subordinate conjunction. When a subordinate conjunction is used in a sentence, it often makes the sentence a fragment if not employed correctly. Simply remove the conjunction and see if the sentence is now a complete sentence.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a word processor’s spell-check feature to locate sentence fragments.

• Read the piece aloud and apply the tests above if you are uncertain about a sentence.

• Don’t trust your word processor to pick up every sentence fragment. They typically only pick up about half of them.

Resources

• Correcting Sentence Fragment Handout (PDF)
• The Sentence Fragment
• UNC Fragments and Run-Ons Handout