Level Up Your English: When Fragments Look Like Sentences

10 Reasons Fragments aren't always obvious-- or wrong

Clear answers to 10 burning questions:

1. When is a sentence not a sentence?

When it’s really just a fragment. (a fragment)

2. What is a fragment? 

A word or words posing as a complete sentence. (a fragment)

3. Are fragments not sentences just because they are too short?

No. (not a fragment--more on this later).

Fragments can be long. The following long thought is actually a fragment:

Although I really thought she shouldn’t be so sad because she had won the award and the admiration of the cutest guy in our class.

4. How is that long thought a fragment?

Two reasons: It (1) begins with a subordinating conjunction (although) which always leads a dependent clause and (2) is not attached to an independent clause when at least one independent clause is required to make a complete sentence.

Fragments with so many words may look like sentences, so always look for both requirements for a sentence: (1) a verb with its subject and (2) at least one complete thought and no incomplete (dangling) thoughts.

Fragments may be obvious if they need more words to make sense, but sometimes, fragments seem to make sense or look a lot like sentences!

Fragments can look like sentences when they have verbs with subjects.

When Sentences Look Like Fragments

5. What are the minimum requirements for a complete sentence?

 A complete sentence must contain at least one verb and its subject, express at least one complete thought and no incomplete thoughts.

Jessica cried. (a sentence)

6. Can sentences be just one word?

Yes. (a sentence)

7. How can sentences be one word (like "Yes.") if at least a verb and its subject are required?

A sentence can be just one word if the words that are omitted are understood and if collectively all of the words, including those which are omitted and understood, create a sentence.

Who cried?

Jessica.

“Jessica” is a sentence here because it is understood to mean "Jessica was who cried.”

What did Jessica do?

Cried.

“Cried” is the answer to the question but it’s also a complete (understood) statement: Cried is what Jessica did.

When To Use Fragments Over Sentences

8. Are fragments always wrong?

No!

In fact, “fragments” like this are quite natural and necessary in speech whether spoken, written down, or in the form of thoughts. Conversations wouldn’t go very smoothly if we couldn’t speak in fragments. Nobody thinks most of their thoughts in complete sentences.

Fragments are quite natural and necessary in poetry. Poetry wouldn’t likely exist if fragments were forbidden.

If you know why you are using a fragment, a fragment is not incorrect.

9. When should we avoid fragments? 

Always avoid using fragments as sentences in very formal writing such as research papers or official documents except when quoting. Always quote verbiage exactly as it is presented.

10. Got a weekend? Relax. Level Up your English!

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• In-person structured immersion experiences for small groups at great destinations
• Online live tutoring & accent coaching
• Online live drop-in workshops

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