Common types of fragment
Most fragments are pieces that belong to the sentence next to them.
| Type | Fragment | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent clause alone | Although it was expensive. | Although it was expensive, we bought it. |
| Missing verb | The students in the library. | The students in the library were revising. |
| -ing phrase alone | Hoping to get a good score. | She studied every day, hoping to get a good score. |
| Example or list alone | Such as fruit and vegetables. | Eat fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables. |
How to test a sentence
Ask three questions. Does it have a subject? Does it have a main verb that agrees with the subject, not just an -ing or to form? Does it make sense on its own, without a word such as because or although leaving it unfinished?
If the answer to any question is no, you have a fragment. Usually the easiest fix is to remove the full stop and join it to the sentence next to it.
Are fragments ever acceptable?
In conversation and informal writing, short fragments are normal: "Coffee? Yes, please." Advertisements and novels use them for effect.
In IELTS Speaking, short answers are natural, as long as you then expand. In IELTS Writing, PTE essays and academic work, write complete sentences.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Many people prefer cities. For example, jobs and hospitals.
Right: Many people prefer cities because of their jobs and hospitals.
The second part has no verb. Join it to the first sentence or rewrite it as a full sentence.
Wrong: Which is why the government should act.
Right: Pollution is rising, which is why the government should act.
A which clause can't stand alone; attach it to the clause it comments on.
Wrong: The main reason being the cost.
Right: The main reason is the cost.
Being is not a main verb. Use is.
Wrong: Firstly, to reduce traffic.
Right: Firstly, the city should reduce traffic.
A to phrase alone has no subject or main verb.
Using this in IELTS and PTE
In IELTS Task 2 and PTE Write Essay, fragments usually appear after examples ("For instance, Japan.") and with which or because. They count as grammatical errors. In PTE Summarize Written Text, a fragment can't summarise anything, so make sure your one sentence has a subject and a main verb.
5 questions
Exercise
Try each one, then open it to check your answer.
1. Fragment or sentence? "After the meeting finished."
Fragment.
After makes the clause dependent, so it can't stand alone.
2. Fragment or sentence? "Stop."
Sentence.
It is a command, and the subject you is understood.
3. Fix this: "A city with clean air. It attracts tourists."
A city with clean air attracts tourists.
Join the noun phrase to the verb, so it becomes the subject.
4. Fix this: "She left early. Feeling unwell."
She left early, feeling unwell.
Attach the -ing phrase to the sentence it describes.
5. What is missing? "The number of visitors to the museum."
A main verb.
Add one, for example: "The number of visitors to the museum rose."
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fragment and a run-on sentence?+
A fragment has too little: it is missing a subject, a verb or an independent clause. A run-on has too much: two complete sentences joined without the right punctuation.
Can a sentence start with because?+
Yes, if the because clause is followed by a main clause: "Because it rained, we stayed in." The because clause alone is a fragment.
Is a one-word sentence a fragment?+
Not always. A command such as "Listen." is complete. A one-word reply such as "Tomorrow." is a fragment, though it is natural in speech.
Keep going
More grammar lessons
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