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What Is A Sentence Fragment?

Okay, a sentence fragment is exactly what it sounds like: an incomplete, or truncated, sentence. We often speak in sentence fragments due to the nature of our process--a small disunion, we could say, between the purification of thought and our impulse to create sound--and also, simply, because context allows us to do so without major frames of misunderstanding; we do not, however, have this luxury with the written word.

To lead a full and happy life, a sentence really needs an independent clause. That is, a subject and a verb that can stand alone.

If this problem is familiar to you, don't despair: most fragments can undergo a fair amount of surgery without the need for anesthesia. Here are the two most common procedures:

Hoo, ha! This is looking pretty good so far! Still, what if you suspect that you've got fragments, but have a hard time finding them in your work? The following are two hot litmus tests for detecting fragments:

Part of our natural process of language involves pattern. Although this is key to our method of learning, some of these patterns contain flaws that can poison a piece of written work if not culled out early on.

You'll be pleased to know that--aside from formal writing i.e. MLA style papers, expository writing as classwork, and business correspondence--there are some situations that allow for the use of sentence fragments to create emphasis, tone and lyricism. These moments are, however, discretionary, and require a specific attention to detail. Consider whether the situation allows for creativity, emotion and informality.