Better Grammar: Part 4: Dependent-Clause Fragments

michael0585
Jan 6, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Mar 15

Blue jigsaw piece about to drop into its right place in a puzzle of grey jigsaw pieces — write better sentences

Introduction - Become better in grammar

In this article I explain the fourth kind of fragment – the dependent-clause fragment.

Even though a dependent clause has a subject and a verb, it cannot stand alone. To be a complete sentence it must depend on another clause.

Dependent clauses may begin with subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Relative pronouns include:

that

which

whose

who or whom

Common Subordinating Conjunctions are:

after since

before if

though even though although

whenever unless

where until

whereas as

whether what because

Here are some examples in which the dependent-clause fragments are underlined.

In cities, houses are built close together. Whereas in the suburbs and the countryside, houses have large yards.

Before explorers started sailing around the world. Many people believed the world was flat.

We will succeed. If we try hard.

Correcting Dependent-Clause Fragments

Here's how to fix dependent-clause fragments:

Join the fragment to a complete sentence.
Add the words required to make it a complete idea. Sentences, as you will know, are single complete ideas.

Another way is to delete the subordinating conjunction.

Here are the previous examples of fragments, corrected using these two ways.

Deleting the subordinating conjunction

In cities, houses are built close together. (Whereas is deleted.)

In the suburbs and the countryside, houses have large yards.

Joining sentences

In cities, houses are built close together, whereas in the suburbs and the countryside, houses have large yards.

Before explorers started sailing around the world, many people believed the world was flat.

We will succeed if we try hard.

Very easy, right?

Your turn

Fix the dependent-clause fragments in these sentences.

I've been very lonely. Since you went away.

She's always right. Unless she's wrong.

We need to clean the house. Which we will do tomorrow.

Tom is always doing something important. Whenever his friends visit him.

Finally, here is something you could do whenever you write sentences.

This piece of advice applies to all four kinds of fragments, as well as to writing generally.

A sentence writing checklist

When you edit your writing, that is, checking for errors, ask yourself this question.

Are my sentences complete?

To answer that, check for these types of fragments (the ones I have explained in this series of articles).

· phrase fragments
· -ing and to / gerunds fragments
· explanatory fragments
· dependent-clause fragments

Go back and refresh your memory if you need to.

Conclusion

I hope this series of articles has helped you recognise and correct these kinds of fragments.

Now, you know how to avoid them in your writing.

When you compose sentences without fragments, your writing in English will improve.

How I can help you get better Grammar - the best way

What you have learned here is useful if you want to improve your grammar.

The best place to start is with The Structured Grammar System.

Grammar skills work best when they are learned in sequence and with other skills.

That sequence forms The Complete English Mastery System.

Practise English the way it actually works.

Build your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling, and English fluency faster.