The Fragmented Sentences

Fragmented sentences, also known as sentence fragments, are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, verb, or complete thought. They are commonly found in casual conversations, creative writing, and social media posts, but they can also appear in formal writing if the writer is not careful.

The problem with fragmented sentences is that they can confuse the reader and make the writing difficult to understand. They can also make the writer appear unprofessional or careless. Therefore, it is important to recognize and avoid fragmented sentences when writing.

Here are some common examples of fragmented sentences:

·         Walking down the street. (This sentence lacks a subject and a verb.)

·         After the storm had passed, leaving destruction in its wake. (This sentence is a dependent clause that lacks a main clause.)

·         A book that I read last week. (This sentence is a noun phrase that lacks a verb.)

·         Because I was running late. (This sentence is a dependent clause that lacks a main clause.)

To fix these fragments, we need to add missing elements to create complete sentences. Here are some possible revisions:

·         I was walking down the street.

·         After the storm had passed, it left destruction in its wake.

·         I read a book last week.

·         Because I was running late, I missed my bus.

To avoid creating fragments, writers should make sure that each sentence has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. They should also avoid starting sentences with dependent clauses, phrases, or incomplete thoughts.

In some cases, writers may intentionally use fragments for artistic or rhetorical effect. However, this should be done sparingly and with a clear purpose in mind.

In conclusion, fragmented sentences can hinder effective communication and should be avoided in most forms of writing. By paying attention to the structure of our sentences, we can improve the clarity and coherence of our writing.