sentence fragment
Phrase lacking subject
A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated as a sentence but lacking the grammatical completeness of one—typically missing a subject, verb, or complete thought.
Because I said so.
Running late again.
Fragments are errors in formal writing but common in speech, advertising, and literary prose for emphasis or effect: Not a chance.
Mark indicating omitted words
- trailing offGradually becoming inaudible
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- brokenDamaged beyond function
truncated · cut off · abrupt · dangling · interrupted · clipped · half-formed · open-ended
Incomplete grammatical unit needing support
- subordinate clauseClause requiring another clause
- appositiveRenaming grammatical element
- run-onSentence lacking proper separation
- comma spliceMisjoined clauses with punctuation
Written words for performance
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- interjectionEmotional outcry word class
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- spokenExpressed in words aloud
reply · cue · dramatic · scene · utterance · interruption · crosstalk · aside
Stress given to something
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- brevityShortness of expression
- punchStrike with fist
- staccatoShort, separated note style
telegraphic · minimalist · stark · terse · stream-of-consciousness · poetic license · rhythm · pacing
Suspenseful unresolved ending
- hookCurved catching device
- tensionStretched or strained state
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- teaserSomething that piques interest
trailing off · buildup · unresolved · mysterious · foreboding · dramatic pause · uncertainty · page-turner
Relaxed and informal
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- textingSending typed mobile messages
- shorthandAbbreviated writing system
- quick replyFast answer back
note-taking · abbreviated · snappy · chatty · vernacular · everyday speech · bullet point · jotted
ellipsis
Mark indicating omitted words
- trailing offGradually becoming inaudible
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
broken · truncated · cut off · abrupt · dangling · interrupted · clipped · half-formed · open-ended · suspended
dependent clause
Incomplete grammatical unit needing support
- subordinate clauseClause requiring another clause
- appositiveRenaming grammatical element
- run-onSentence lacking proper separation
script
Written words for performance
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- interjectionEmotional outcry word class
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
spoken · reply · cue · dramatic · scene · utterance · interruption · crosstalk · aside · outburst
emphasis
Stress given to something
staccato · telegraphic · minimalist · stark · terse · stream-of-consciousness · poetic license · rhythm · pacing · dramatic effect
cliffhanger
Suspenseful unresolved ending
- hookCurved catching device
- tensionStretched or strained state
- anticipationState of awaiting something
teaser · trailing off · buildup · unresolved · mysterious · foreboding · dramatic pause · uncertainty · page-turner
casual
Relaxed and informal
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- textingSending typed mobile messages
- shorthandAbbreviated writing system
quick reply · note-taking · abbreviated · snappy · chatty · vernacular · everyday speech · bullet point · jotted
- Writing Errorstypo, misspelling, comma splice, double negative, missing period
- grammar errorscomma splice, syntax error, run-on, dangling modifier, misplaced modifier
- grammar debatesirregardless, ain't, split infinitive, singular they, could of
- language errorsspelling error, spelling mistake, typo, misspelling, syntax error
- text errorstypo, misspelling, misprint, spelling mistake, missing letter
- sentence fragmentsdependent clause, subordinate clause, phrase, ellipsis, trailing off
sentence fragmentcomplete sentence
independent clause · main clause · simple sentence · compound sentence · complex sentence
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