Sentence fragments always make the list of the most common errors, and they are among the most seriously stigmatizing errors we can make. To put it simply, a sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that you have punctuated as if it is a complete sentence.
Sometimes, fragments are missing a verb. Sometimes, fragments are missing a subject. Sometimes, a fragment is simply a dependent clause punctuated like a complete sentence. Here are some examples:
Because they are hairy and frightening with large, pointed fangs and shiny, yellow eyes.
You’ll notice that each of these so-called sentences is not a complete sentence. They are both missing parts that would make them complete.
You always have options about how you correct a sentence fragment, but here are some possible corrections for our two sample sentence fragments:
I am afraid of those spiders because they are hairy and frightening with large, pointed fangs and shiny, yellow eyes.
