Here are a few fragments that I think you could justify using in an action sequence: Used carefully, single verbs and lone prepositional phrases can add urgency and intensity to a scene without miring it in proper structure. Rapid Action Sequences: Action sequences are a great place for prepositional phrase fragments or verb fragments. One very common use of fragments is with a question/answer exchange: People rarely speak in complete thoughts, and in the flow of conversation, fragments are common. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to use fragments in the following cases:ĭialogue: This is the ideal place for fragments, and they can improve dialogue and make it sound more realistic. I think they add punch to our writing when used appropriately and infrequently. I am the first to admit that I love fragments. “Ann cried under the oak tree” is a complete sentence. To leave it on its own creates a sentence fragment because 1) there is no verb or action, and 2) it doesn’t express a complete thought. For example, in the sentence above, “under the oak tree” is a prepositional phrase. Her tunic was stained.”Īnother common sentence fragment is the prepositional phrase left to stand alone. Take off the subordinator at the beginning and voila! You have a complete sentence: “The fairies taunted her. What do these fragments have in common? They start with subordinators. Or, a sentence can be very lengthy and contain several thoughts:Īfter the fairies taunted her all morning, and because her tunic was stained with huckleberry juice from the food fight, Ann cried under the oak tree until the sun dried the hill.Ī fragment is a dependent clause that is left to twist in the wind, lonely and without purpose or meaning: For a sentence to be complete, it must have three things:Ī subject (the actor in the sentence-a noun, proper noun, or pronoun)Ī complete thought (it makes sense on its own-it’s independent)Ī complete sentence can be as short as two words: So, because it’s useful to look at the right way first, let’s define a complete sentence. The Sentence Fragment DefinedĪ sentence fragment is, at its simplest, an incomplete sentence. When you know the rules, you can break them and strengthen your voice, style, and impact. In writing, there’s a place for everything, even poorly structured sentences. Fragments, comma splices, run-ons-oh, my!ĭid you see my sentence fragment up there? Did you notice it? Did it hurt your brain, or did it remind you of The Wizard of Oz? As an editor, I don’t mind weak sentences, but poorly structured sentences in rapid repetition will make me want to claw my eyes out. One of the most irritating writing habits for an editor to correct is poor sentence structure.
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