Chapter 1 Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment contains less than one main clause.

Common fragment errors include the dependent clause, the infinitive phrase, the present or past participle phrase, and the prepositional phrase fragment.
Fragments are major grammatical errors that academic writers should avoid.

A phrase is a group of words without a complete subject and a complete verb.

To see the difference between a clause and a phrase, look at the following charts.

A clause always has a complete subject and a complete verb.

s	v	one subject and one verb
(s)	v	an implied subject (a command) and one verb
sss	vvv	more than one subject and more than one verb
sss	v	more than one subject and only one verb
s	vvv	only one subject and more than one verb
v	s	one verb (an inversion) and one subject

A phrase is always missing something.

s	-	a complete subject and no verb
-	v	no subject and a complete verb
s	1/2	a complete subject and a half verb
-	1/2	no subject and a half verb
-	-	no subject and no verb

Note:

Example:

(in the Hawaiian chain) (of eight islands)

Example:

(each island having its own special characteristics)

Or a verbal phrase may begin with a half verb and end with a noun or pronoun object.

Example:

(to signify its individuality)