A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence presented as if it stood on its own. In Because the gate was locked., the words form a dependent clause. Readers are left waiting to learn what happened because of the locked gate.
Three common fragments and their fixes
- Dependent clause alone. Add a main clause. Because the gate was locked, we used the side entrance.
- Missing finite verb. Turn The hikers waiting at the gate. into The hikers were waiting at the gate.
- Detached phrase. Attach With a map and a flashlight. to a clause. We set out with a map and a flashlight.
When a short expression can stand alone
A sign such as No entry or an answer such as Tomorrow morning can communicate clearly in context. In continuous explanatory prose, check that each sentence intended to stand on its own has a complete independent clause.
