Writing Sentences: Sentence Errors: Sentence fragments

Many sentence fragments occur when a sentence is written with no main verb. Often this occurs when the noun or subject of the sentence is extended to contain more information and is then mistakenly presented as a sentence; for example,

The landforms off the coast on the bottom of the sea

This issue becomes more complex when the extended noun or nominal group contains a verb. This verb is not the main verb of the sentence as a whole but pertains only to the nominal group; for example,

The prevailing assumption that the earth's resources are unlimited.

As with many other sentence fragments, this sentence does not sound complete in itself:

The prevailing assumption that the earth's resources are unlimited....WHAT?

All of the words in the example form part of an extended nominal group that is the subject of the sentence: the section starting with that is simply giving us more detail about the prevailing assumption. The word 'are', although a verb, is involved only in the nominal group rather than describing the action in the whole sentence. To be complete, the sentence requires the addition of a main verb and completion of the idea put forward:

The prevailing assumption that the earth's resources are unlimited is explored in the article from a multidisciplinary perspective.
'is explored' is the main verb in this completed sentence

The following example also requires a main verb and the other 'half' of the sentence to make it complete:

Sentence fragment	Complete Sentence
The belief in European superiority, prestige and privilege which is clearly revealed in this author's work.	The belief in European superiority, prestige and privilege, which is clearly revealed in this author's work, was dominant at the time.

The main verb added to complete the example sentence above is a finite verb: it is marked for tense, person and number. Click here for more info about person and number.

Another type of sentence fragment that contains no main verb occurs when a word ending in 'ING' is mistakenly presented as an independent clause; for example,

	Being integral to effective patient-carer relationships
	Thus leaving a smooth surface.

In order to create a complete, independent sentence from these 'ING' dependent clauses, the other half of the idea containing a main verb needs to be added.

	Being integral to effective patient-carer relationships, communication skills should be taught as part of every medical training program.	Main Verb
	The process of electrochemical polishing relies on the ability to polish the external layer of the material without causing corrosion pits, thus leaving a smooth surface.	Main Verb

Sentence fragments that do not include a main verb