Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Date: _____________________
FRAGMENTS
A sentence fragment contain only a subordinate clause, or a group of words that have a subject and a verb but not a
complete thought; therefore, the sentence needs an independent clause for support. An independent clause expresses a
complete thought and can stand alone. To identify a fragment or subordinate clause, look for subordinating conjunctions.
after
although
as, as if
because
before
if
once
since
that
though
unless
until
verb
complete thought?
Correct: Because Stephen studied everyday, he was able to pass the MTEL.
subject
verb
complete thought!
Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
a. By the time Frances found out how expensive the wallpapering job would be.
b. After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself.
c. Before picking out an interesting wallpaper pattern that went well with her furniture.
5.
6.
a. While waiting for her neighbor to move the car that blocked the driveway.
b. To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn.
c. By making sure that no one will park across the driveway again.
7.
a. Because Manuel was sure he had heard the same strange story many months ago.
b. Although I will never forget how cold we were when we lost our heat last winter.
c. Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything.
8.
a. My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years.
b. Many of his customers coming back three or four times over the summer.
c. His business been so busy that he has very little time for anything else.
9.
a. In the hiding place that Carl had been using for years to get away from the noisy house.
b. By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was over.
c. Before planning another family get-together at the already crowded park.
10.
a. Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by her dress.
b. Because she didn't want to tell where she had bought the strange outfit.
c. When we finally heard that she had made the dress herself
when
where
while
11.
12.
13.
a. While we were waiting, the usher announced the show was canceled.
b. When we finally arrived at the hotel.
c. That we expect to find in better condition.
14.
a. The water was overflowing from the tub by the time she returned.
b. Since his subscription to the computer magazine had run out.
c. Several dogs running through the back yard.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
a. Sometimes snow-plows getting to the back streets two days after a storm.
b. The citizens were getting quite angry.
c. By the time the snow plows get here, they shouted.
36.
37.
a. It's always pleasant to look out at the snow while it's falling.
b. Mrs. Burke wondering how she would ever clear the sidewalk.
c. When the snow finally began to taper off in the late morning.
38.
a. After doing a superb job of keeping his driveway clear all winter long.
b. Mostly because he was afraid of what his neighbors would say.
c. Luis just gave up on it this time.
39.
a. Although it was snowing harder than we had ever seen it snow before.
b. We decided to leave before it got any worse.
c. The tread on our snow-tires, after all, not what it used to be.
40.
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________
because
before
if
once
since
that
though
unless
until
verb
complete thought?
Correct: Because Stephen studied everyday, he was able to pass the MTEL.
subject
verb
complete thought!
Of the three sentences in each group, select the one that is NOT a sentence fragment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
a. By the time Frances found out how expensive the wallpapering job would be.
b. After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work herself.
c. Before picking out an interesting wallpaper pattern that went well with her furniture.
5.
6.
a. While waiting for her neighbor to move the car that blocked the driveway.
b. To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn.
c. By making sure that no one will park across the driveway again.
7.
a. Because Manuel was sure he had heard the same strange story many months ago.
b. Although I will never forget how cold we were when we lost our heat last winter.
c. Since Anna wasn't at the meeting, I took notes so that she wouldn't miss anything.
8.
a. My brother has been running a charter fishing boat for five years.
b. Many of his customers coming back three or four times over the summer.
c. His business been so busy that he has very little time for anything else.
9.
a. In the hiding place that Carl had been using for years to get away from the noisy house.
b. By the time that everyone had quieted down, my favorite television show was over.
c. Before planning another family get-together at the already crowded park.
10.
a. Although I knew she might wear something outrageous, I was still shocked by her dress.
b. Because she didn't want to tell where she had bought the strange outfit.
c. When we finally heard that she had made the dress herself
when
where
while
11.
12.
13.
a. While we were waiting, the usher announced the show was canceled.
b. When we finally arrived at the hotel.
c. That we expect to find in better condition.
14.
a. The water was overflowing from the tub by the time she returned.
b. Since his subscription to the computer magazine had run out.
c. Several dogs running through the back yard.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
a. Sometimes snow-plows getting to the back streets two days after a storm.
b. The citizens were getting quite angry.
c. By the time the snow plows get here, they shouted.
36.
37.
a. It's always pleasant to look out at the snow while it's falling.
b. Mrs. Burke wondering how she would ever clear the sidewalk.
c. When the snow finally began to taper off in the late morning.
38.
a. After doing a superb job of keeping his driveway clear all winter long.
b. Mostly because he was afraid of what his neighbors would say.
c. Luis just gave up on it this time.
39.
a. Although it was snowing harder than we had ever seen it snow before.
b. We decided to leave before it got any worse.
c. The tread on our snow-tires, after all, not what it used to be.
40.