Sentence Fragments

Overview

A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but isn’t complete. It’s missing something important—usually a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Even though it might sound okay in conversation, it’s considered incorrect in formal writing.

Fragments missing a subject

Sometimes a sentence fragment is missing a subject—the person or thing doing the action.

• Incorrect: Went to the store after school. (Who went?)

• Correct: She went to the store after school.

Now the sentence has a subject and is complete.

Fragments missing a verb

A fragment might be missing a verb—the action or state of being.

• Incorrect: The boy with the messy hair. (What about the boy?)

• Correct: The boy with the messy hair sat in the back.

Now the sentence tells us what the boy did.

Fragments that are dependent clauses

Some fragments happen when you start a sentence with a subordinating word (like because, when, if) but don’t finish the thought.

• Incorrect: Because she was tired.

• Correct: Because she was tired, she took a nap.

Dependent clauses must be attached to an independent clause to be complete.

Fragments used for effect

In creative writing or casual speech, sentence fragments are sometimes used on purpose for emphasis or style.

Examples:

• So far, so good.

• No way.

This can be okay in stories or dialogue, but in academic or formal writing, fragments should be avoided.

Summary

Sentence fragments happen when a sentence is missing a subject, verb, or complete thought. They often sneak in when we write the way we speak, but they weaken clarity and structure. In school writing, make sure every sentence has a subject, a verb, and expresses a full idea.