sentence fragments
Missing subject or verb
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences—word groups punctuated as sentences but lacking a subject, verb, or complete thought.
Because I said so.
The dog in the yard.
Running late again.
In formal writing, fragments are usually errors.
But skilled writers use them deliberately for emphasis, rhythm, or conversational tone.
Very effective.
Like that.
- clausesGrammatical or legal units
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- dangling modifierPhrase with unclear referent
- ellipsisMark indicating omitted words
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
snippet · writing · casual speech · phrases · unfinished · subordinate clauses · hanging · syntax · stylistic choices · creative writing · embedded clauses · subject verb agreement · text messaging · bullet points · note-taking · ellipsis marks · Hemingway · stream of consciousness
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