What Are Sentence Fragments?
A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but is not a complete sentence. A complete sentence requires at least one main clause, which includes a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought. Fragments often lack one of these elements, making them incomplete.
Common Causes of Sentence Fragments
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Missing Subject: The sentence does not tell who or what is performing the action.
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Missing Verb: The sentence does not include any action or state of being.
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Dependent Clause: The sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction and does not complete the thought.
Examples of Sentence Fragments
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Missing Subject: "Ran to the store." (Who ran to the store?)
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Missing Verb: "The cat on the mat." (What about the cat on the mat?)
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Dependent Clause: "Because I was tired." (What happened because you were tired?)
Practice Sentences
Identify if the following sentences are fragments. If they are, explain why:
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Went to the park.
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The book on the table.
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Although it was raining.