Side by Side Comparison – Sentence Fragment vs Run On in Tabular FormĪ sentence fragment is another name for an incomplete sentence. Similarities Between Sentence Fragment and Run Onĥ. Recognizing these elements is the first step in learning to identify sentence fragments and run-on sentences. A complete sentence has three main elements: a subject, a predicate and a complete thought (ability to stand alone). Sentence fragments and run on sentences are two of the most common errors most of us make in our writing. Usually the object of the preposition (often a gerund, as in the last two examples) is intended as the subject of the sentence, so removing the preposition at the beginning is usually the easiest way to edit such errors.The key difference between sentence fragment and run on is that a sentence fragment is a string of words that cannot form a complete thought on its own while a run on sentence is a sentence that is missing the right punctuation to make the sentence flow properly. They start one way (often with a long prepositional phrase) but end with a regular predicate. These last three examples of fragments with no subjects are also known as mixed constructions, that is, sentences constructed out of mixed parts. Rearrange: Phil got fired for doing freelance work for a competitor.Remove preposition: Doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired.Fragment: For doing freelance work for a competitor got Phil fired.Remove preposition: Paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.Fragment: By paying too much attention to polls can make a political leader unwilling to propose innovative policies.Remove preposition: The ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product.Fragment: With the ultimate effect of all advertising is to sell the product.Main verb: A record of accomplishment began when you were first hired.Direct object: I've noticed a record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired.Fragment: A record of accomplishment beginning when you were first hired.Direct object: They found toys of all kinds thrown everywhere.Complete verb: Toys of all kinds were thrown everywhere.

Fragment: Toys of all kinds thrown everywhere.Appositive: Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper,' a story with deep thoughts and emotions, has impressed critics for decades.Direct object: She told a story with deep thoughts and emotions.Fragment: A story with deep thoughts and emotions.Some fragments are not clearly pieces of sentences that have been left unattached to the main clause they are written as main clauses but lack a subject or main verb. For academic writing and other more formal writing situations, however, you should avoid such journalistic fragment sentences. This is a conventional journalistic practice, often used for emphasis. You may have noticed that newspaper and magazine journalists often use a dependent clause as a separate sentence when it follows clearly from the preceding main clause, as in the last example above. Possible Revision: Because the current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands, we believe the proposed amendments should be passed. Which is why we believe the proposed amendments should be passed. Fragment: The current city policy on housing is incomplete as it stands.Possible Revision: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Fragment: I need to find a new roommate.Possible Revision: Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game, leaving her team at a time when we needed her. Leaving her team at a time when we needed her. Fragment: Coach Dietz exemplified this behavior by walking off the field in the middle of a game.Possible Revision: Purdue offers many majors in engineering, such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. Such as electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering. Fragment: Purdue offers many majors in engineering.

Notice that the fragment is frequently a dependent clause or long phrase that follows the main clause. Punctuation and/or words added to make corrections are highlighted in blue. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence.īelow are some examples with the fragments shown in red.

One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. This handout provides an overview and examples of sentence fragments.įragments are incomplete sentences.

Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students.

Sentence fragment definition example