Sentence fragment — English definition
An incomplete piece of a sentence punctuated as if it were whole, such as a lone dependent clause or phrase.
Where it is taught
- Grammar & Sentence Structure — Language & Vocabulary, English 6, Grade 6
In use
A sentence fragment is a piece pretending to be a whole sentence — usually a dependent clause or a phrase left alone with a period: 'Although we tried our best.
Grammar & Sentence Structure
Questions using sentence fragment
Problem 1
Which group of words is a sentence fragment?
- We left the museum.
- Because the museum closed early.
- The museum closed early.
- The museum closed, so we left.
Answer and explanation
Because the museum closed early.
'Because the museum closed early' is a dependent clause — it has a subject and verb but starts with 'because,' so it cannot stand alone and is a fragment.