Writing a cohesive and grammatically correct piece of text is crucial for effective communication. One common issue that can hinder the flow of your writing is sentence fragments. A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought or lacks a subject or verb to make it a complete sentence. In this article, we will explore five ways to fix sentence fragments and improve your writing.
Understanding Sentence Fragments
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what constitutes a sentence fragment. A sentence fragment can be a phrase or a group of words that lacks a subject, verb, or both. For example:
- “Running down the street.” (This sentence fragment lacks a subject.)
- “The big red car.” (This sentence fragment lacks a verb.)
1. Add a Subject or Verb
One of the simplest ways to fix a sentence fragment is to add a subject or verb to make it a complete sentence. For example:
- “Running down the street.” → “The kids were running down the street.” (Added subject: “The kids”)
- “The big red car.” → “The big red car sped down the highway.” (Added verb: “sped”)
2. Combine with Another Sentence
Another way to fix a sentence fragment is to combine it with another sentence that has a subject and verb. For example:
- “Running down the street. The kids were laughing and shouting.” → “The kids were running down the street, laughing and shouting.” (Combined with another sentence)
- “The big red car. It sped down the highway.” → “The big red car sped down the highway.” (Combined with another sentence)
3. Use a Subordinating Conjunction
A subordinating conjunction can help link a sentence fragment to an independent clause, making it a complete sentence. For example:
- “Because I forgot my lunch.” → “I was hungry because I forgot my lunch.” (Added subordinating conjunction: “because”)
- “Although it was raining.” → “We still went to the park although it was raining.” (Added subordinating conjunction: “although”)
4. Use a Relative Pronoun
A relative pronoun can help link a sentence fragment to an independent clause, making it a complete sentence. For example:
- “Which was stolen yesterday.” → “The bike, which was stolen yesterday, was recovered by the police.” (Added relative pronoun: “which”)
- “That was given to me by my grandmother.” → “The antique watch, that was given to me by my grandmother, is very valuable.” (Added relative pronoun: “that”)
5. Use an Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive phrase can help fix a sentence fragment by adding a subject or verb. For example:
- “To learn a new language.” → “I want to learn a new language.” (Added infinitive phrase: “to learn a new language”)
- “To travel around the world.” → “My dream is to travel around the world.” (Added infinitive phrase: “to travel around the world”)
📝 Note: It's essential to identify the type of sentence fragment you're dealing with to choose the best solution. Experiment with different approaches to find the one that works best for your writing.
In conclusion, fixing sentence fragments is a crucial step in refining your writing skills. By understanding the different types of sentence fragments and using the techniques outlined above, you can improve the clarity and coherence of your writing. Remember to always proofread your work to catch any sentence fragments that may have slipped through.
What is a sentence fragment?
+A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought or lacks a subject or verb to make it a complete sentence.
How can I identify sentence fragments in my writing?
+Read your writing out loud or use a grammar checker to identify sentence fragments. Look for phrases or groups of words that lack a subject or verb.
Can I use sentence fragments intentionally in my writing?
+While sentence fragments can be used intentionally in creative writing, such as in poetry or fiction, it’s generally best to avoid them in formal or academic writing.
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