A sentence fragment contains less than one main clause. 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) Example: (to signify its individuality)