Definitions (True or False): Is this ever true? 1. A sentence fragment has both a subject and a verb. True
2. A sentence fragment may have a subject or verb or neither one.
3. An acceptable fragment might be a question or response to a question or an exclamation.
4. A complete sentence otherwise has both a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
5. A fragment can be repaired in one of two ways: pulling the fragment into a nearby sentence or
rewriting the fragment as a complete sentence.

Recognizing complete sentences and sentence fragments: Identify as a complete sentence or fragment.

6. Rising from his bed each morning about half past five.
7. On the way to the festival, the couple ran out.
8. I often swim.
9. After rescuing the swimmer trapped in a rip current this morning, the lifeguard felt very alive.

Do the following sentences contain fragments, yes or no?

10. The word group beginning with. Examining is a verbal phrase.
11. So that across the globe, fragile ecosystems are collapsing.
12. Tripped and sprained my ankle this morning.
13. Because it is transmitted by the common mosquito, Americans have come to fear the West Nile virus.

Repair the following sentence fragments without changing any more than you have to.

14. It is never enough. To walk a mile in someone’s moccasins to fully understand.

15. Walking as quickly as she could. She still got quite wet from the rain shower.

16. They were comfortable but. Not rich.

17. The shock of bereavement is often followed by a succession of emotions. Denial, sorrow, anger, and despair.

18. I tried very hard to understand what they were saying. Because my survival and theirs depended on it.

19. To give my family a comfortable, secure home life. That is my most important goal.

20. There are things we cannot see. And things we can.


21. There were broken windows in the old building. Marked by vandalism and the ravages of time.


22. The northeastern coast of Jamaica, the locals tell me, is marked. By Spanish shipwrecks strewn across the reefs and jagged rocks.


23. He was waiting on the shoreline. Watching for the native canoes that would transport him home.

24. There were a number of difficult questions on the test. Including some that would test his analytical ability to the max.

25. Using a cell phone can be dangerous. Especially when you’re driving.

Complete the following sentences to express complete, grammatical ideas.
26. When the party started.
27. As soon as they get here.
28. Whenever the traffic is heavy.
29. Because Jamie is not feeling well.
30. If you can think of an answer.