Writing Sentences: Sentence Errors: Sentence fragments

A complete sentence must be able to stand alone. There are various simple methods to repair sentence fragments so that they form complete sentences. One of these methods is to add another 'half' to the sentence so that it becomes an independent clause that can stand alone. An independent clause always includes a main verb.

There are two options which would alleviate the problem. Raising the dam wall or increasing the size of the spillway

Sentence
fragment

This sentence fragment could be repaired by adding the words 'These are':

There are two options which would alleviate the problem. These are raising the dam wall or increasing the size of the spillway.

The verb 'are' in the new clause 'These are' acts as the main verb of the new sentence. By adding a main verb to the sentence fragment, it becomes complete and can stand alone.

Here are some other examples of sentence fragments. These sentence fragments can also be repaired by adding a main verb:

Sentence fragment	Complete sentence (after repair)	Annotation
Women were reluctant to leave the workforce at the end of the war. Having established their role outside the home.	Women were reluctant to leave the workforce at the end of the war. This was generally attributed to their having established their role outside the home.	'was attributed' acts as the main verb in the completed sentence
While overindulgence in alcohol can have serious effects on health.	Moderate consumption of wine has been found to be beneficial while overindulgence of alcohol can have serious effects on health.	'has been found' acts as the main verb in the completed sentence

Repairing sentence fragments by adding a main verb