Complete sentences express a full thought with both a subject and predicate, while fragment sentences lack either element.
A complete sentence requires at least one independent clause containing a subject (who/what the sentence is about) and a predicate (verb + additional information). For example:
"The dog chased the ball" contains subject "dog" and predicate "chased the ball."
Fragments typically fall into three categories:
Complete sentences appear in formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication. Fragments often appear in informal contexts like text messages or creative writing for stylistic effect.
According to the Grammarly Blog, fragments can create rhythm in dialogue or emphasize certain ideas when used intentionally.
Many writers confuse short sentences with fragments. "She ran" is complete, while "Running fast" is a fragment missing a subject. Another mistake is assuming all clauses starting with "because" are fragments - they can be complete if joined with another independent clause.
I once edited a student paper where every other sentence was a fragment. By identifying the missing elements and adding subjects/predicates, we transformed the paper.
Original fragment: "After finishing homework."
Completed version: "After finishing homework, she called her friends." (added subject "she" and predicate "called her friends")
| Context | Complete Sentence | Fragment |
|---|---|---|
| Academic writing | Required | Avoid |
| Text messages | Optional | Acceptable |
| Creative writing | Usual | Occasional |