Are dependent clauses considered fragments?

Are dependent clauses considered fragments?

A dependent clause or a phrase can not stand alone as a sentence. It is therefore dependent on other words being added to it to create a sentence. Dependent clauses left standing alone are often referred to as sentence fragments. While they contain a subject and a verb, they nonetheless represent incomplete thoughts.

What makes a fragment a dependent clause?

Sentence Fragments: Dependent Clause. A dependent clause beginning with a subordinating word such as because, if, unless, when, whenever, while, although, that, which, or who (or with a question word such as how, what, or why) cannot stand alone and be punctuated as a complete sentence.

Can a dependent clause have no subject?

A dependent clause contains a subject and verb, but cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence; an independent clause includes a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought. Therefore it is not independent; it can’t stand alone as a sentence.

How do you know if the sentence is a fragment?

When the full thought is not expressed because either the subject or the verb is missing, you have a sentence fragment. The problem with fragments is that they don’t tell the whole story. Key elements are missing, leaving the reader hanging without a sense of the full thought.

What is the difference between a dependent clause and independent clause?

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought.

What is an example of a fragment?

Here is a glaring example of a sentence fragment: Because of the rain. On its own, because of the rain doesn’t form a complete thought. Now the fragment has become a dependent clause attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) and a verb (was canceled).

What is a fragment in grammar?

Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence.

What is an example of a fragment sentence?

Here is a glaring example of a sentence fragment: Because of the rain. On its own, because of the rain doesn’t form a complete thought. It leaves us wondering what happened because of the rain.

What is a Dependant clause example?

Examples of What is a Dependent Clause. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.) Damian won’t be able to play in the game because he injured his foot. (Because he injured his foot is a dependent clause.