Coordinating conjunction fragment
What is a fragment?
A fragment is a group of words that is less than a sentence.
What is a complete sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that has a subject (the doer of an action), a predicate (verb), and completes a thought.
- Bunnies hop.
This word group is a sentence because it has a subject and a predicate, and it completes a thought
- Blue giraffes fly at midnight.
This word group is also a sentence. The word group does not have to be a logical or sane thought. It only has to be a complete thought.
Identifying fragments
Fragments lack either a subject, predicate (a proper verb), or a complete thought.
-ing fragment
- Swimming in the ocean.
- Smoking cigarettes in excess.
These are not sentences. They do not have a verb. Words that end in -ing without a helping verb are nouns, not verbs. An -ing word needs a helper to be a verb: is swimming.
These can be fixed by either joining it to another complete sentence
- Swimming in the ocean, they saw a school of colorful fish.
or by simply adding the needed verb.
- Smoking cigarettes in excess can lead to severe health problems.
Infinitive fragment
Infinitive fragments start with the word to. These fragments, like –ing fragments, lack a verb because infinitive forms are not true verbs.
- To become a famous actor.
- To walk to school in the snow.
These can be also fixed by either joining it to another complete sentence
- She has always wanted to become a famous actor.
or by simply adding the needed verb.
- To walk to school in the snow is an unpleasant prospect.
Appositive fragment
Appositives are groups of words that name something. They are used in sentences to further describe a noun, usually the subject of the sentence.
- Introduction to Speech I, the class in room 302, makes a lot of noise.
When not part of a sentence, these types of word groups as called appositive fragments. They are just a group of words. They lack a complete thought.
- The class in room 302.
- Our only philosophy professor.
It is necessary to introduce a specific subject and verb to complete the thought.
- Introduction to Speech I, the class in room 302, makes a lot of noise.
or use the phrase as a subject and add a verb and complete thought.
- Our only philosophy professor is famous in her field.
Conjunction Fragments
Conjunctions are words that join parts of a sentence. When a word group written as a sentence consists only of a word group beginning with a conjunction, it is not a sentence even though it may have a subject and a verb. It is a fragment. It is not joining anything and is not a complete thought.
There are three types of conjunctions commonly used in fragments: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and relative conjunctions (relative pronouns).
Coordinating Conjunction Fragments
are word groups that have a subject and a verb and begin with a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so (FANBOYS).
- So I had to pack the night before.
- And many people believe that aliens have visited earth.
- But they had some good results.
These word groups are not sentences. Although they have a subject and a predicate, they do not complete a thought. If the conjunction is not connecting something, the thought is not complete.
These can be fixed by either removing the conjunction or adding more information. Remember, if you join two complete sentences with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed to separate the two.
- My plane left at 5:00 in the morning, so I had to pack the night before.
- However, if there is only one subject or predicate, no comma is used.
- Many people believe in ghosts and that aliens have visited Earth.
Subordinate Clause Fragments
Subordinate clauses are word groups that have a subject and a verb and begin with a subordinating conjunction such as although, because, if, since, when, where, and while. A subordinate clause fragment, also called subordinating conjunction fragment, leaves the reader wondering what comes next.
- Because it was raining
- When I’m feeling angry
- If I’m feeling blue
These word groups are not sentences. Although they have a subject and a predicate, they do not complete a thought. For this reason, they are called dependent or subordinate clauses.
They can be fixed by adding more information. Remember, if you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, it is considered introductory words and a comma is needed to separate the subordinate clause from the rest of the sentence.
- When I’m angry, I like to listen to music.
If the subordinating conjunction is in the middle, no comma is used since the words are no longer introducing the main clause.
- I call my best friend if I’m feeling blue.
Relative Clause Fragments
Relative clauses are word groups that have a subject and a verb and begin with a relative pronoun:
- whose that which whichever
- who whoever
- whom whomever
- what whatever
Learning the abbreviation WTWW, WW, WW, WW will help to remember these. These are dependant clauses since they depend upon an independent clause to complete a thought and, therefore, a sentence. Relative pronouns are also conjunctions since they join parts of a sentence.
- That I have always wanted to visit.
- Which are green.
- Wherever I play every day.
They can also be fixed by adding more information. Remember, when you use the word that, you never use a comma.
- New York is a city that I have always wanted to visit.
However, you may or may not need a comma with who or which. If you need the information to understand the meaning of the sentence, you do not need a comma. If the information is just added in as extra information, you need to indicate this with commas.
- Oranges which are green should not be eaten.
- My guitar, which I play every day, was a gift from my father.
See Commas for more information on necessary (restrictive) and (nonrestrictive) clauses with who, which, and that.