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Fragmented Sentences: What are they and how to fix them (with examples)
Surprise! Surprise! Fragmented sentences are one of the most common mistakes made by students of all ages.
To be fair, they are pretty easy to miss. At first glance, they almost look like complete sentences: a capital letter at the start and an ending punctuation at the end.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes a sentence fragmented and what you can do to fix it.
What Is A Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment - or a fragmented sentence - is an incomplete sentence with a missing necessary component. For a sentence to be complete, it has to have three key components: a subject (person or thing), a predicate (an action), and a complete idea.
Quick Definition:
Subject: What or whom the sentence is about. A subject serves as the ‘doer’ of the action in the sentence.
Predicate: The predicate describes the action and always includes at least one verb.
Examples Of Sentence Fragments
Ex: During the weekend.
This sentence is fragmented because it’s missing both a subject and a verb.
Ex: My best friend.
This sentence is fragmented because it’s missing a verb that tells us what the best friend is doing or what the sentence is about.
Ex: Jumped over the fence.
This sentence is fragmented because while it contains a verb (jumped), the subject is missing - leaving us wondering who’s doing the action.
How To Fix Sentence Fragments
Option 1: Add Missing Component
The simplest way to fix a fragmented sentence is to identify and add the missing component(s). Whether that’s a subject, a predicate, a direct object, an independent clause, or any combination of those that help form a complete thought.
Let’s consider the following by using the examples mentioned above.
Ex: We had a lot of fun during the weekend.
By adding the subject (We) and the predicate (had a lot of fun) to the fragment, we turn it into a complete sentence that clearly expresses who had fun and what they did during the weekend.
Ex: My best friend is always there for me when I need support.
By adding the predicate (is always there for me when I need support) to the fragment, we have a complete sentence that gives us more information about your best friend and what they do.
Ex: The squirrel jumped over the fence.
By adding the subject (squirrel), we have a complete sentence that shows clearly who jumped over the fence.
Option 2: Restructure Your Sentence
Alternatively, you can consider changing the sentence structure. This could mean doing away with the entire sentence fragment and starting from scratch, or making changes as small as removing a punctuation. Consider the following:
Ex: I love going to theme parks. Because rollercoasters make me feel alive.
Alternative #1:
Remove the period between the two sentences to form one complete sentence.
Ex: I love going to theme parks because the rollercoasters make me feel alive.
Alternative #2:
Remove ‘because’ (the subordinating conjunction) from the second sentence so that it becomes an independent clause. You can then tie both sentences together using either a semicolon or a period to form a complete thought.
Ex: I love going to theme parks; rollercoasters make me feel alive.
Ex: I love going to theme parks. Rollercoasters make me feel alive.
When Is A Sentence Fragment Acceptable
Sentence fragments are generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing and should be avoided in most cases. However, there are specific situations where sentence fragments can be acceptable or even purposeful:
- Stylistic Effect:
In creative writing, authors may use sentence fragments to create a specific style or mood. Fragments can add a sense of immediacy or emphasize certain ideas.
Ex: A crash. Darkness. Panic. - Dialogue:
In fictional or informal writing, characters may speak in sentence fragments to reflect how people naturally talk, which can make the dialogue more realistic.
Ex: Character 1: ‘What happened?’; Character 2: ‘Car crash. Scary. - Emphasis:
Fragments can be used to emphasize a point or create a punchy, concise statement. This is common in advertising slogans, headlines, or speeches.
Ex: Experience the difference. - Poetry:
Poets often use sentence fragments for artistic effect and brevity, allowing them to convey complex emotions in a succinct manner.
Ex: Leaves falling. Autumn's embrace.
FAQs About Sentence Fragment
What is a sentence fragment?
A sentence fragment is an incomplete group of words that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence but lacks either a subject, a verb, or both, making it grammatically incorrect and conveying an incomplete thought.
Why are sentence fragments considered grammatically incorrect?
Sentence fragments are considered incorrect because they don't express a full idea on their own. In written and formal communication, complete sentences are essential for clarity and effective communication.
Are there situations where sentence fragments are acceptable?
Yes, in creative writing, dialogue, poetry, and specific stylistic contexts, sentence fragments can be used for artistic effect or to mimic natural speech. However, they should be used intentionally and sparingly in such cases.
How can I fix a sentence fragment?
To fix a sentence fragment, you can either attach it to a complete sentence or complete the fragment itself by adding a subject, a verb, or both. This makes it a grammatically correct and complete sentence.
