Sentence Fragments: Missing Subject

Sentence Fragments: Missing Subject

Identifying a Fragment with a Missing Subject

Unless it is a command with the implied subject you, a word group appearing withouta subject is a fragment.

Faulty

The commuters were staring hopefully down the track. Just wanted to get to work on time. [fragment: missing subject].

Never omit an it subject.

Faulty

The essay won a prize because was so well researched.

Methods of correcting

1.	Include an appropriate subject to form an independent clause.

Revised

The commuters were staring hopefully down the track. They just wanted to get to work on time.

The essay won a prize because it was so well researched.

2.	Turn the fragment into an -ing participle phrase and attach it to the independent clause.

Revised

The commuters were staring hopefully down the track, just wanting to get to work on time.