Sentence fragments
42 flashcards covering Sentence fragments for the SAT Reading & Writing section.
Sentence fragments are groups of words that look like sentences but aren't complete because they lack a key element, such as a subject, a verb, or a full idea. For instance, "Walking through the park" is a fragment since it doesn't specify who is walking or form a standalone thought. Mastering this concept is essential for clear writing and communication, as fragments can make your sentences confusing or ineffective.
On the SAT Reading and Writing section, sentence fragments typically show up in questions about grammar, sentence structure, and passage improvement. You'll often need to identify fragments in multiple-choice items, spot errors in provided sentences, or select the best revision to make them complete. Common traps include confusing dependent clauses with full sentences or overlooking incomplete ideas in complex passages, so focus on checking that every sentence expresses a clear, independent thought. Always read sentences aloud to catch fragments quickly.
Terms (42)
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Sentence fragment
A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence but does not express a full thought, often missing a subject, verb, or both.
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Complete sentence
A complete sentence must have a subject, a verb, and express a full idea that can stand alone.
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Independent clause
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and can function as a complete sentence on its own.
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Dependent clause
A dependent clause has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence because it begins with a subordinating word and relies on another clause for meaning.
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Subordinating conjunction
A subordinating conjunction, such as 'although' or 'because,' connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, often creating fragments if used incorrectly.
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Phrase fragment
A phrase fragment is a group of words without a subject and verb, such as a prepositional phrase, that is mistakenly punctuated as a sentence.
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How to identify a fragment
To identify a sentence fragment, check if the words form a complete thought with a subject and verb; if not, it is a fragment.
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Fragment with subordinating conjunction
A fragment beginning with a subordinating conjunction, like 'Because it was raining,' lacks an independent clause and does not express a complete idea.
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Fixing a fragment
To fix a sentence fragment, add the missing element, such as a subject, verb, or independent clause, to make it express a complete thought.
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Example of a basic fragment
A basic sentence fragment might be 'Running down the street,' which lacks a subject and a complete verb.
To fix it: 'The dog was running down the street.'
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Dependent clause fragment
A dependent clause fragment occurs when a clause starting with words like 'which' or 'that' is punctuated as a separate sentence without an independent clause.
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Infinitive phrase fragment
An infinitive phrase fragment, such as 'To go to the store,' is not a complete sentence because it lacks a subject and a finite verb.
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Participial phrase fragment
A participial phrase fragment, like 'Walking through the park,' is incomplete as it does not have its own subject and verb to form a full sentence.
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Appositive fragment
An appositive fragment renames or describes a noun but stands alone, such as 'A talented musician,' which needs to be part of a larger sentence.
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Fragment in a list
A fragment in a list might occur when items are punctuated as separate sentences, like 'Apples, oranges. And bananas,' where the list is incomplete.
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Common trap: Questions as fragments
A question can be a fragment if it is not properly formed, but on the SAT, watch for phrases that look like questions but lack key elements.
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Relative clause fragment
A relative clause fragment, beginning with 'who' or 'which,' is incomplete if it is not attached to an independent clause.
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Adding a subject to fix a fragment
If a fragment lacks a subject, add one to make it complete, turning 'Ran quickly' into 'The horse ran quickly.'
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Adding a verb to fix a fragment
If a fragment lacks a verb, add one to complete it, such as changing 'The old house' to 'The old house stands.'
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Connecting clauses to fix a fragment
To fix a fragment, connect it to an independent clause, like joining 'Because it was late' with 'we left early.'
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Fragment with -ing verb form
A fragment using a present participle like 'Eating ice cream,' is incomplete without a helping verb or full clause.
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Fragment in compound structures
In compound sentences, a fragment might occur if one part is not fully independent, such as separating 'and then we went' incorrectly.
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Difference between fragment and run-on
A fragment is too short and incomplete, while a run-on jams multiple ideas together without proper punctuation.
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Contextual fragment identification
On the SAT, identify fragments by reading in context to see if the idea is fully expressed within the passage.
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Fragment starting with 'for example'
A phrase like 'For example, the big red ball' is a fragment if it does not continue to form a complete thought.
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Advanced fragment: Elliptical clauses
An elliptical clause fragment omits words for brevity but becomes incorrect if it stands alone, like 'Although tired.'
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Fragment in descriptive writing
In descriptive passages, phrases like 'The shimmering lake' might be fragments if not integrated into a full sentence.
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SAT-specific fragment trap
SAT questions often use fragments in answer choices that mimic common errors, such as starting with 'which' without a main clause.
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Fixing fragments in essays
In SAT writing tasks, ensure no fragments by revising to include all necessary elements for clear communication.
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Example of a corrected fragment
A corrected fragment turns 'After the game ended.' into 'After the game ended, we went home.'
Original: 'Excited fans cheering.' Corrected: 'The excited fans were cheering.'
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Noun phrase fragment
A noun phrase fragment, such as 'The quick brown fox,' lacks a verb and cannot stand as a sentence.
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Verb phrase fragment
A verb phrase fragment, like 'Has been running,' is incomplete without a subject to specify who or what is acting.
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Fragments with transitional words
Fragments often start with transitional words like 'However,' if not followed by a complete clause.
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Identifying fragments in passages
When reviewing SAT passages, look for lines that end without resolving the idea, indicating a potential fragment.
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Common SAT fragment example
On the SAT, a common fragment is a dependent clause alone, such as 'While we waited for the bus.'
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Advanced: Fragments in complex sentences
In complex sentences, ensure no subordinate clause is left as a fragment by properly linking it to the main clause.
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Trap: Fragments resembling titles
Phrases that look like titles or headings, like 'The History of Rome,' can be fragments if used in body text.
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Fixing with punctuation
Sometimes, fixing a fragment involves adjusting punctuation, such as removing a period to connect it to the next sentence.
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Fragments in dialogue
In narrative passages, fragments might appear in dialogue but should be complete in formal writing contexts.
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Example of phrase fragment
A phrase fragment could be 'In the morning light,' which is just a prepositional phrase without a full sentence structure.
Corrected: 'In the morning light, the birds sang.'
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Overcoming fragment habits
To avoid fragments, practice ensuring every punctuated sentence has a clear subject and verb.
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Fragments vs. intentional style
While some writing uses fragments for effect, SAT questions require standard complete sentences.