A sentence fragment is either a phrase or a dependent clause masquerading as a sentence.

Remember that a complete sentence must meet two criteria: It must have both a subject and
verb, and it must express a complete thought. Here are some examples of sentence fragments.
We went for a drive. After the game was over.
Many activities are available at the camp. Such as swimming, fishing, and hiking.
We went to the beach. Too cold to swim. Built a sandcastle.
To correct sentence fragments, make sure they contain both a subject and a verb. Often, a fragment can be
joined to a related sentence that already expresses a complete thought:
We went for a drive after the game was over.
Many activities are available at the camp, such as swimming, fishing, and hiking.
We went to the beach, but it was too cold to swim, so we built a sandcastle.
Example Problems
Identify the sentence fragment.
1. Using the VCR. I am taping my favorite TV show right now.
Answer: Using the VCR. The fragment has no subject, and although it has a word that
looks like a verb (using), the verb is incomplete.
2. Soon Lee wants to be a fashion designer. Because of the beautiful dresses.
Answer: Because of the beautiful dresses. This fragment could easily be joined to the
sentence that precedes it.
Work Problems
Correct the sentence fragments.
1. The Louvre Museum is full of art treasures. From many countries and time periods.
2. Since the recession. The school’s budget has been severely cut.
3. His eyes wide. The little boy watched the circus acrobats.