What is a sentence fragment?

Every complete sentence must have a subject and a verb. A sentence fragment is missing one or both of these essential elements. Here are a few examples:

Ran after the ball. (This fragment has no subject.)

My aunts, uncles, and cousins. (This fragment has no verb.)

A dependent clause, which is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, can be a fragment:

After we eat dinner tomorrow night.

For this phrase to be grammatically correct, combine it with an independent clause, which can stand alone grammatically:

After we eat dinner tomorrow night, I plan to have dessert.

In this example, "I plan to have dessert" is the independent clause.

A phrase is also a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It must be paired with an independent clause as well:

Incorrect: During the holidays.

Correct: During the holidays, our entire extended family gathers together.

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about general sentence elements.
• See other tips on avoiding sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
• Take a look at the webinar series "Mastering the Mechanics of Writing" for some great explanation of using grammatically strong sentences.
• What is a phrase?
• What is a clause?
• Check out the Writing Center's self-paced grammar modules.

Further Questions?

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Do you have other general writing questions? Ask OASIS.

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