Relative Clause Fragment

A relative clause fragment arises when this type of clause is disconnected from the other clause that is needed in the sentence.

To make sense, a sentence must express a complete thought. A relative clause written by itself does not do this.

Relative Clause Fragments:

who is a policeman

which is the best present I've ever had

where I bought the medicine my sister needed

that helped me understand how to speak French

These are all dependent clauses.

A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb. Like any complex sentence, a sentence with a relative clause is made up of at least two clauses, a dependent clause and an independent clause.

This is a definition of 'dependent' from the Cambridge Online Dictionary:

"needing the support of something or someone in order to continue existing or operating"

An independent clause can be used alone. However, a dependent clause needs the support of an independent clause in order to exist, or to make sense.

So now let's add some independent clauses to those relative clause fragments we looked at earlier on to ensure they express a complete thought.

Correctly Written Relative Clause Sentences:

Independent Clause
Dependent Clause

My neighbour, who is a policeman, often helps me out

My bother brought me a bike, which is the best present I've ever had

I went to the chemist where I bought the medicine my sister needed

This is the book that helped me understand how to speak French

How do I know I've not written a fragment?

As every clause has a subject and verb and you are using two clauses (an independent and dependent clause) check that you have two subject verb combinations.

My neighbour (subject) often helps (verb) me out

who (subject) is (verb) a policeman

***

I (subject) went (verb) to the chemist

where I (subject) bought (verb) the medicine my sister needed

Both the independent and dependent clause have a subject and verb so the sentences look correct.

Note that the relative pronoun (who, which, that etc) is not always the subject of the sentence, as in the second example, but that will be dealt with further in another lesson.

More on Relative Clauses:

Understanding Relative Pronouns - that, which, who, what, whom, whose
Relative pronouns are that, which, who, what, whom, whose. They are the words that started a relative clause and they will help you to identify a relative clause. Each one has a different meaning so it's important you understand each of their functions.
Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses Quiz
Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses Quiz: The differences between these types of clause are confusing. Practice in this exercise to improve your skills.
Reduced Relative Clauses - Past and Present Participles
Reduced relative clauses are created by changing the clause to a present or past participle phrase or by using adjectives. The grammar rules are quite complex.
Differences Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Understanding the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses, or adjective clauses, is important. While one is essential to a sentence and it's meaning, the other is not.
Relative Pronoun Quiz: who, which, whom, whose, that, where
This relative pronoun quiz focuses on the words who, which, whom, whose, that, where. These are used to introduce relative clauses.
Learn all about Relative Clauses - Explanations and Examples
A common type of complex sentence in English grammar is relative clauses. These are dependent clauses that are mainly created using who, which, where, and that. They are also known as adjective clauses and there are two types - defining and non-defining.
Relative Adverbs - where, when, and why
Relative clauses starts with either relative pronouns or a relative adverbs. The adverbs used to start relative clauses are where, when, and why. Where is an adverb of place, when is an adverb of time, and why is an adverb of reason.