What Is a Sentence Fragment: Definition, Types, and Corrections

Types of sentence fragments

Missing subject fragments

• Lack a subject: These sentence fragment examples are missing the person or thing performing the action.
  • Example: "Shows no improvement in your efficiency."
  • How to fix sentence fragments: "The evaluation shows no improvement in your efficiency."

Missing verb fragments

• Lack a verb: These sentence fragment examples have a subject but no action or state of being.
  • Example: "That time of wonder and amazement."
  • How to fix sentence fragments: "That time of wonder and amazement was unforgettable."

Dependent clause fragments

• Cannot stand alone: These sentence fragment examples have both a subject and verb but are incomplete thoughts.
  • Example: "Because it was raining."
  • How to fix sentence fragments: "We canceled the picnic because it was raining."

Other types of fragments

• Gerund phrase fragments: Begin with a verb ending in "-ing" acting as a noun.
• Participial phrase fragments: Begin with a verb ending in "-ing", "-ed", or "-en" acting as an adjective.
• Infinitive phrase fragments: Begin with "to" plus a simple verb form.
• Appositive phrase fragments: Rename a noun but lack a complete sentence structure.
• Prepositional phrase fragments: Begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun.

How to identify sentence fragments

• Look for missing elements: Check if the group of words has both a subject and a verb.
• Check for complete thoughts: Ensure the sentence expresses a complete idea.
• Identify subordinating conjunctions: Words like "because", "since", or "if" often introduce dependent clauses.

Correcting sentence fragments

Add missing elements

• Include a subject: Add the person or thing performing the action to fix sentence fragments.
• Include a verb: Add the action or state of being to the sentence to fix sentence fragments.

Connect to complete sentences

• Join with independent clauses: Combine the fragment with a complete sentence to fix sentence fragments.
• Use coordinating conjunctions: Connect fragments to complete sentences using words like "and", "but", or "or".

When to use sentence fragments

• Informal writing: Sentence fragments are more acceptable in casual communication.
• Creative writing: Can be used for emphasis or stylistic effect.
• Bulleted or numbered lists: Often contain fragments as part of a larger structure.

FAQ

What is a sentence fragment?

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence lacking essential elements like a subject, verb, or complete thought. It often appears grammatically incorrect but can be used deliberately for stylistic effect in creative or informal writing.

Can you give some sentence fragment examples?

Certainly! Here are some sentence fragment examples:

1. "Shows no improvement in your efficiency." (Missing subject)
2. "That time of wonder and amazement." (Missing verb)
3. "Because it was raining." (Dependent clause)
4. "Running through the park." (Gerund phrase)
5. "To finish the project on time." (Infinitive phrase)

How to fix sentence fragments?

To fix sentence fragments, you can:

1. Add missing elements (subject or verb)
2. Connect the fragment to a complete sentence
3. Rewrite the fragment as a complete sentence For example, "Shows no improvement" can be fixed as "The report shows no improvement."

When is it acceptable to use sentence fragments?

Sentence fragments can be acceptable in:

1. Informal writing or casual communication
2. Creative writing for emphasis or stylistic effect
3. Bulleted or numbered lists
4. Dialogue to mimic natural speech patterns
5. Headlines or titles

How can I identify sentence fragments in my writing?

To identify sentence fragments:

1. Look for missing subjects or verbs
2. Check if the group of words expresses a complete thought
3. Identify subordinating conjunctions that may introduce dependent clauses
4. Read your writing aloud to hear if sentences sound complete
5. Use grammar-checking tools to highlight potential fragments