π What is a Sentence Fragment?
A sentence fragment is a part of a sentence that is missing a subject, a verb, or doesn't express a complete thought. It's like only having half of a puzzle piece β it doesn't quite fit on its own.
π A Little History
While formal writing always stressed complete sentences, even famous authors sometimes used fragments for effect. However, in early grades, the focus is on mastering the basic building blocks of clear, complete sentences.
π Key Principles to Avoid Fragments
- β
Every sentence needs a subject. The subject is who or what the sentence is about. For example, in "The dog barks," the dog is the subject.
- βοΈ Every sentence needs a verb. The verb shows the action or state of being. In "The dog barks," barks is the verb.
- π‘ Every sentence needs to express a complete thought. It should make sense on its own.
π Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples of sentence fragments and how to fix them:
| Fragment |
Correct Sentence |
| Running quickly. |
The dog was running quickly. |
| Because it was raining. |
Because it was raining, we stayed inside. |
| The big, red ball. |
The big, red ball bounced high. |
π Practice Quiz
Identify the sentence fragments and rewrite them as complete sentences:
- After the game.
- The cat sleeping.
- Because I was tired.
- She sings.
- Ate the pizza.
π‘ Tips and Tricks
- π§ Read your writing aloud. Does it sound complete? If not, it might be a fragment.
- π Check for subjects and verbs. Make sure each sentence has both.
- π Use connecting words carefully. Words like "because," "although," and "if" often need to be part of a longer sentence.
β Conclusion
Avoiding sentence fragments is a key step to becoming a great writer. Keep practicing, and you'll be writing complete sentences in no time! Remember to always include a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Happy writing! π