A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence. It lacks a subject, a complete verb, or doesn't express a complete thought. While sometimes used for stylistic effect in creative writing, they are considered errors in formal and academic writing.

A complete sentence must have three things: a subject (who or what the sentence is about), a verb (the action or state of being), and a complete thought.

Common Types of Fragments

• Dependent Clause Fragments: These have a subject and a verb, but they start with a subordinating word (like because, although, since, while) that makes them unable to stand alone.
  Fragment: Because I forgot my keys.
  Correction: I was late because I forgot my keys.
• -ing Fragments: A word ending in -ing needs a helping verb (like is, was, are) to function as the main verb.
  Fragment: Running down the street.
  Correction: He was running down the street.
• Missing Subject or Verb: The fragment is missing one of the essential components of a sentence.
  Fragment: The big red car in the driveway. (Missing a verb)
  Correction: The big red car in the driveway is mine.

How to Fix Sentence Fragments

Fixing fragments usually involves one of two main strategies:

• Add what's missing: Add the missing subject, verb, or helping verb to make it a complete thought.
• Connect it: Attach the fragment to a nearby independent clause. Often, a fragment is just a piece of the sentence before or after it.

Related Topics

• Simple & Complex Sentences, Understand what makes a complete sentence vs. a fragment.
• Subject-Verb Agreement, A missing or mismatched verb can create fragments.
• Varying Sentence Structure, Learn to vary sentences without accidentally creating fragments.