Sentences vs Fragments

Front

What is a complete sentence?

Back

A complete sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and includes a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a fragment?

Back

A fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought and is often missing a subject or a verb.

Front

Example of a complete sentence: 'My friend Sheila and I saw a brown toad hopping on the sidewalk.'

Back

This is a complete sentence because it has a subject ('My friend Sheila and I') and a verb ('saw').

Front

Example of a fragment: 'Living in the city.'

Back

This is a fragment because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

Example of a fragment: 'Yelled and screamed when she saw it.'

Back

This is a fragment because it lacks a subject.

Front

Example of a complete sentence: 'I need to clean my locker out today!'

Back

This is a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

Example of a fragment: 'Yesterday when I got off the school bus.'

Back

This is a fragment because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

What is the difference between a sentence and a fragment?

Back

A sentence expresses a complete thought, while a fragment does not.

Front

What must a complete sentence include?

Back

A complete sentence must include a subject and a verb.

Front

Can a fragment stand alone as a sentence?

Back

No, a fragment cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.