Sentence Fragments
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Summary
Sentence fragments are always incorrect on the ACT because they do not contain a complete independent clause. The strongest way to catch them is to recognize common trap patterns, especially gerunds used without helping verbs and phrases that look complete only because they sit next to a full sentence.
- A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks at least one independent clause, so recognizing completeness is essential for ACT grammar questions.
- Gerunds ending in -ing, such as "running" or "finishing," often create fragment traps because they come from verbs but do not function as main verbs unless a helping verb is present.
- A phrase can also look complete when it follows a full sentence for emphasis, but if it cannot stand alone grammatically, it remains a fragment and is not acceptable in ACT English.
- Long sentences become easier to evaluate by stripping away nonessential clauses set off by commas and isolating the main clause to check for a true subject-verb structure.
- On difficult answer choices, eliminate options as soon as you spot a fragment, then choose the version that restores a complete sentence while also maintaining clear, efficient parallel structure.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding Sentence Fragments on the ACT
00:37
Spotting Gerund-Based Fragment Traps
01:42
Recognizing Fragments Disguised as Add-Ons
02:46
Using Clause Isolation to Solve a Tough ACT Example