sentence fragment

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noun

a phrase or clause written as a sentence but lacking an element, as a subject or verb, that would enable it to function as an independent sentence in normative written English.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sentence fragment

First recorded in 1945–50

grammar notes for sentence fragment

See sentence.

Words nearby sentence fragment

sent, sente, sentence, sentence adverb, sentence connector, sentence fragment, sentence stress, sentence substitute, sentencing circle, sententia, sentential

How to use sentence fragment in a sentence

As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice turned herself in to serve a 15-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That Huckabee is mentioned in the same sentence with other aspiring conservative governors, especially Bobby Jindal, is laughable.
Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee|Sally Kohn|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Brown had been serving a life sentence; McCollum had been on Death Row.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Had he been competently represented, the jury might well have failed to concur on a death sentence.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Each sentence came as if torn piecemeal from his unwilling tongue; short, jerky phrases, conceived in pain and delivered in agony.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Sentence of fine and imprisonment passed upon lord Bacon in the house of peers for bribery.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
John Wilkes released from the tower by the memorable sentence of chief justice Pratt.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
It seeks the shortest phrase or sentence and adds successively all the modifiers, making no omissions.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)