Ready to level up your writing? Our free Sentence Fragment Quiz: Spot the Error Like a Pro Now offers targeted sentence fragment practice to help writers, students, and language enthusiasts identify incomplete thoughts and polish every phrase. In this hands-on quiz, you'll confidently decide "is this a sentence fragment" or identify "which sentence is a fragment," test "is this a fragment sentence," and refine your approach to common grammar pitfalls. With instant scoring feedback and detailed explanations, you'll see exactly where those elusive fragments hide - perfect for boosting your editing speed before deadlines or acing your next grammar exam. Ready to dive in? Try our sentence fragment quiz for instant practice or our sentence error online practice for extra challenge. It's time to sharpen your skills - get started now!
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
Although she arrived late, she joined the meeting immediately.
Running quickly to the store.
She finished her report before lunch.
They went to the park after school.
A sentence fragment lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. “Running quickly to the store.” has a verb (running) but no subject performing the action, making it a fragment. The other options include both subjects and verbs and express complete ideas. For more on fragments, see Purdue OWL on Fragments.
Identify the fragment among these options.
After the movie ended, we went home.
We went home after the movie ended.
After the movie ended.
We went home.
“After the movie ended.” is a dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction and lacks a main clause to complete the thought, so it is a fragment. The other sentences pair that clause with an independent clause or stand alone as complete sentences. Fragments often begin with words like after, because, or when and fail to finish the idea. Learn more at Grammarly on Sentence Fragments.
Which of these lacks a verb and is therefore a fragment?
The cat slept on the mat.
Behind the old barn.
He enjoyed the novel immensely.
They danced all night.
“Behind the old barn.” is a prepositional phrase without a verb or subject, making it a fragment. A complete sentence needs at least a subject and a verb. The other options all include both subject and predicate and express a full idea. For further details, see Grammarly on Sentence Fragments.
Which of these is a fragment because it lacks a subject?
Taking a long vacation.
She completed her assignment.
The dog barked loudly.
Birds sing in the morning.
“Taking a long vacation.” has a verb form (taking) but no subject performing the action, so it is a fragment. A complete sentence requires both a subject and a verb. The other options clearly present both components and convey full thoughts. For more examples, visit Purdue OWL on Fragments.
Which of the following is NOT a sentence fragment?
After the storm passed.
The children played outside in the yard.
To finish the project on time.
Unless you call first.
“The children played outside in the yard.” contains a subject (the children) and a verb (played) with a complete thought, so it is a full sentence. The other options all begin with subordinating conjunctions or infinitive phrases and lack an independent clause, making them fragments. For more guidance, check Grammarly on Sentence Fragments.
Spot the fragment in the list below.
Since the alarm didn't go off.
The alarm didn't go off, so we overslept.
We missed the meeting because the alarm didn't go off.
Our alarm failed this morning.
“Since the alarm didn't go off.” is a dependent clause that lacks an independent clause to complete the thought, so it is a fragment. The other sentences pair the clause with a main clause or stand alone as complete assertions. Fragments often start with words like since, because, or when and remain unfinished. Read more at Purdue OWL on Fragments.
Which of the following is a fragment due to a missing main clause?
Even though the test was difficult.
The test challenged all the students.
Students felt anxious about the test.
Despite the difficulty, they completed it.
“Even though the test was difficult.” is a subordinate clause and lacks an independent clause to complete the idea, making it a fragment. The other options either stand alone as complete sentences or combine clauses properly. Subordinate conjunctions like even though require a main clause to follow. For further reading, visit Grammarly on Fragments.
Spot the fragment in this set of sentences.
Control of the situation by the manager.
The manager regained control of the situation.
He regained control of the situation easily.
It was regained smoothly.
“Control of the situation by the manager.” is a noun phrase lacking a finite verb and an independent clause, so it is a fragment. A complete sentence needs at least one finite verb and a subject. The other sentences include both and express a clear thought. Learn more at Purdue OWL.
Which of the following is NOT a fragment?
While the sun set behind the hills.
We watched the beautiful sunset in silence.
To see the mountains in the distance.
Because we wanted a peaceful moment.
“We watched the beautiful sunset in silence.” is a complete sentence with a subject and predicate. The other options begin with subordinating conjunctions or infinitive phrases and lack independent clauses, making them fragments. Fragments cannot stand alone as complete thoughts. For more, see Grammarly.
Identify the fragment caused by a non-finite verb phrase.
Trying to finish the report before the deadline.
He tried to finish the report before the deadline.
She finished the report early.
The report was finished by the team.
“Trying to finish the report before the deadline.” is a non-finite verb phrase lacking a subject and main verb, so it is a fragment. A full sentence requires at least a finite verb and a subject. The other options all present complete independent clauses. See Purdue OWL for details.
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
Although enthusiastic about the project.
The team was enthusiastic about the project.
Enthusiasm for the project was clear.
They showed great enthusiasm.
“Although enthusiastic about the project.” is a dependent clause that lacks a main clause, making it a fragment. Subordinate conjunctions like although require connection to an independent clause. The other sentences are complete and express full ideas. For further reading, visit Grammarly.
Spot the fragment among these options.
By running every morning.
Running every morning improved his cardiovascular health.
He improved his health by running every morning.
His cardiovascular health improved with daily runs.
“By running every morning.” is a prepositional phrase without a subject and finite verb, so it is a fragment. Complete sentences require both subject and predicate. The other options present independent clauses expressing full thoughts. Learn more at Purdue OWL.
Which of the following is a fragment because it’s a dependent clause?
Which was surprising.
The announcement shocked everyone.
Everyone was in awe.
The team scored the winning goal.
“Which was surprising.” begins with a relative pronoun but lacks an antecedent in an independent clause, making it a fragment. A complete sentence must include a clear subject and predicate. The other options express full thoughts with independent clauses. See Purdue OWL for more.
Identify the fragment in these options.
As if it were possible.
It seemed impossible at first.
We achieved it anyway.
The result amazed us.
“As if it were possible.” is a dependent clause that lacks an independent clause to complete the construction, so it’s a fragment. Subordinate conjunctions such as as if require a main clause. The other choices are complete sentences. For more info, see Grammarly.
Which choice is a fragment due to a missing main clause?
The assignment, despite the tight deadline.
Despite the tight deadline, the assignment was completed.
The team finished the assignment on time.
They managed their time well.
“The assignment, despite the tight deadline.” is a noun phrase with a modifying clause but no finite verb to form a complete sentence. Complete sentences need an independent clause. The other options either start with an independent clause or properly combine clauses. Learn more at Purdue OWL.
Spot the fragment in the following options.
When we arrived at the venue and the doors were locked.
We arrived at the venue and found the doors locked.
The doors were locked upon our arrival at the venue.
Arriving at the venue, we noticed the locked doors.
“When we arrived at the venue and the doors were locked.” is a dependent clause without an independent clause to finish the thought, making it a fragment. Complete sentences require at least one independent clause. The other choices combine clauses correctly or stand alone. For details, see Grammarly.
Identify the fragment among these choices.
Being the first to arrive.
She was the first to arrive.
He arrived before everyone else.
The room was empty when he arrived.
“Being the first to arrive.” is a participial phrase without a main clause, so it is a fragment. A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb. The other options contain full independent clauses. For more guidance, visit Purdue OWL.
Which of these is a fragment because of incorrect colon usage?
The reasons: insufficient funds, poor planning.
The reasons were insufficient funds and poor planning.
Insufficient funds and poor planning were the reasons.
They cited insufficient funds and poor planning as reasons.
“The reasons: insufficient funds, poor planning.” uses a colon to introduce a list without providing an independent clause before the colon, resulting in a fragment. A complete sentence needs an independent clause around the colon. The other options properly include both subject and verb. Read more at Grammarly.
Which of the following is a fragment due to incorrect semicolon use?
The team presented the proposal; when the project launched.
The team presented the proposal when the project launched.
When the project launched, the team presented the proposal.
The team presented its proposal at the project launch.
“The team presented the proposal; when the project launched.” uses a semicolon to connect an independent clause with a dependent clause, creating a fragment. Semicolons must join two independent clauses. The other choices correctly use conjunctions or rephrase to form complete sentences. For more, see Purdue OWL on Semicolons.
Identify the fragment caused by an incomplete correlative construction.
Not only memorable but also.
The event was not only memorable but also inspiring.
The event was memorable and inspiring.
Such events rarely occur.
“Not only memorable but also.” starts a correlative pair without completing the second element of the construction, making it a fragment. Correlative conjunctions like not only… but also must surround parallel structures. The other options present complete parallel structures or standalone sentences. For more on correlative constructions, visit Grammarly on Correlative Conjunctions.
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Study Outcomes
Identify Sentence Fragments -
Learn to recognize when a group of words doesn't form a complete thought, answering "is this a fragment" with confidence.
Differentiate Complete vs. Incomplete Sentences -
Analyze examples to determine which sentence is a fragment and which stands on its own as a full sentence.
Apply Correction Strategies -
Practice rewriting fragments into complete sentences by adding missing subjects, verbs, or clauses.
Explain Fragment Components -
Understand the common reasons sentences break down - missing elements, dependent clauses, or lack of a main idea.
Leverage Instant Quiz Feedback -
Use real-time explanations from our sentence fragment quiz to pinpoint errors and reinforce correct grammar rules.
Build Confidence in Grammar Skills -
Engage with fun sentence fragment practice that sharpens your eye for errors and boosts your writing assurance.
Cheat Sheet
Independent Clause Essentials -
An independent clause needs both a subject and a verb to stand alone. In your sentence fragment quiz practice, check if "flying over the lake" has a doer - if not, it's a fragment (Purdue OWL). A quick tip: every complete sentence answers Who? and What's happening?
Watch Out for Dependent Clauses -
Clauses starting with because, when, although, or if can't stand alone ("When she spoke," is a fragment). In "is this a sentence fragment" drills, attach a main clause or move the conjunction (UNC Writing Center). Think "DC, IC," comma first, then main idea.
Phrase Fragments: Prepositions & -ing Forms -
Prepositional ("Under the bridge.") and present-participle phrases ("Laughing at the joke.") lack a full thought. In sentence fragment practice, add a subject-action pair: "She was laughing at the joke." (Cambridge Grammar). Remember "S-V-O" to spot missing links.
Conjunction Clues with FANBOYS -
Starting with and, but, or so can trigger fragments if there's no complete clause ("But eager to learn."). In "is this a fragment sentence" exercises, ensure both sides of a FANBOYS join are full sentences (Grammar Girl). Use FANBOYS as a filter for balanced structure.
Subject-Verb Check Strategy -
Underline the subject and verb in each line to see if they form a complete thought. When you ask "which sentence is a fragment?" this simple scan reveals gaps (APA Style). Fun mnemonic: "Who Does What?" helps you confirm every sentence answers both parts.
