Identify the sentence that is a fragment.

• A. Because the rain stopped, we walked outside.
• B. The rain stopped.
• C. Walking to the bus, the rain began.
• D. If you arrive early.

Answer: (D)

This question tests your understanding of sentence fragments—parts that can’t stand alone as a complete thought. A fragment lacks an independent clause with a clear subject and verb.

The sentence that begins with If you arrive early is incomplete on its own because it introduces a condition but does not provide a main clause to tell what happens if you arrive early. It leaves you hanging, needing more information to form a complete sentence.

The other sentences form complete thoughts. Because the rain stopped, we walked outside combines a dependent clause with an independent clause, giving a full idea. The rain stopped is a simple, complete sentence with a subject and a verb. Walking to the bus, the rain began has a leading participial phrase, but it still contains a main clause with a finite verb and subject, so it’s not a fragment—though it’s stylistically awkward due to the mismatch between the participial phrase and the subject of the main clause.

So, the one that’s a fragment is the fronted conditional phrase that doesn’t stand alone as a complete sentence.