Worksheet for identifying and correcting sentence fragments in writing.

Let's go through each item in the worksheet and determine whether it is a sentence or a sentence fragment.

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🔍 What is a Sentence?

A complete sentence must have:
- A subject (who or what the sentence is about)
- A predicate (what the subject does or is)
- It must express a complete thought

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🔍 What is a Sentence Fragment?

A fragment lacks one or more of these elements. It might be:
- A phrase without a subject or verb
- A dependent clause that can't stand alone
- An incomplete thought

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Now, let’s analyze each item:

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1. Thought about it for a long time.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "I" or another subject)*

2. I sat on the couch and thought.
✔ Has subject ("I") and verb ("sat", "thought") → Sentence

3. Might buy him a book or a tie.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "I" or "We" — e.g., "I might buy...")*

4. Had almost no money.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "I" or "We" — e.g., "I had...")*

5. Dad likes thoughtful gifts.
✔ Subject ("Dad"), verb ("likes") → Sentence

6. Not one for clothes or gadgets.
✘ No subject or verb → Sentence fragment
*(It's a fragment of a larger idea, like "He is not one for...")*

7. As I thought about a gift for Dad.
✘ Dependent clause starting with "As" → Sentence fragment
*(Can't stand alone; needs a main clause, e.g., "As I thought..., I decided to...")*

8. I took a look at Dad's car.
✔ Subject ("I"), verb ("took") → Sentence

9. A really dirty, dusty machine.
✘ No verb → Sentence fragment
*(Descriptive phrase — could be part of a larger sentence: "The car was a really dirty, dusty machine.")*

10. I ran down to the auto supply store.
✔ Subject ("I"), verb ("ran") → Sentence

11. On the way to the store.
✘ Prepositional phrase → Sentence fragment
*(No subject or verb — could be part of: "I was on the way to the store.")*

12. Picked up some car wax and polish.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "I" or "We" — e.g., "I picked up...")*

13. I also bought some nice soft cloth.
✔ Subject ("I"), verb ("bought") → Sentence

14. Waited until Dad was taking a nap.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "I" — e.g., "I waited...")*

15. I sneaked downstairs to the garage.
✔ Subject ("I"), verb ("sneaked") → Sentence

16. I scrubbed and polished.
✔ Subject ("I"), verbs ("scrubbed", "polished") → Sentence

17. When Dad saw his car in the evening.
✘ Dependent clause starting with "When" → Sentence fragment
*(Needs a main clause: "When Dad saw his car..., he was surprised.")*

18. Looked like a brand-new machine.
✘ No subject → Sentence fragment
*(Missing "It" or "The car" — e.g., "It looked like...")*

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✔ Final Answers:

| Number | Group of Words | Correct Label |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| 1 | Thought about it for a long time. | sentence fragment |
| 2 | I sat on the couch and thought. | sentence |
| 3 | Might buy him a book or a tie. | sentence fragment |
| 4 | Had almost no money. | sentence fragment |
| 5 | Dad likes thoughtful gifts. | sentence |
| 6 | Not one for clothes or gadgets. | sentence fragment |
| 7 | As I thought about a gift for Dad. | sentence fragment |
| 8 | I took a look at Dad's car. | sentence |
| 9 | A really dirty, dusty machine. | sentence fragment |
| 10 | I ran down to the auto supply store. | sentence |
| 11 | On the way to the store. | sentence fragment |
| 12 | Picked up some car wax and polish. | sentence fragment |
| 13 | I also bought some nice soft cloth. | sentence |
| 14 | Waited until Dad was taking a nap. | sentence fragment |
| 15 | I sneaked downstairs to the garage. | sentence |
| 16 | I scrubbed and polished. | sentence |
| 17 | When Dad saw his car in the evening. | sentence fragment |
| 18 | Looked like a brand-new machine. | sentence fragment |

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📝 Summary:

- Sentences: 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16
- Fragments: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18

You would circle "sentence fragment" for all except numbers 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, where you would circle "sentence".

Let me know if you'd like help turning the fragments into complete sentences!