Test for fragments

Figure. Flowchart. Test for fragments. If you suspect that a word group is a sentence fragment, first ask: Is there a verb? (Be careful not to mistake verbals, such as talking, riding, for verbs.) If there is no verb, then the word group is a fragment. If there is a verb, ask: Is there a subject? (Check whether the subject is "you," understood.) If there is no subject, then the word group is a fragment. If there is a subject, ask: Is the word group merely a subordinate clause or phrase? (A sentence may begin with a subordinate clause, but it also must contain an independent clause.) If the word group is merely a subordinate clause or phrase, then it is a fragment. If no, it is a sentence.

* Do not mistake verbals for verbs.

** The subject of a sentence may be you, understood.

*** A sentence may open with a subordinate clause , but the sentence must also include an independent clause.


If you find any fragments, try one of these methods of revision:

  1. Attach the fragment to a nearby sentence.

  2. Turn the fragment into a sentence.