Sentence Fragments: the rule, with examples
A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated like a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. “Because it was raining.” is a fragment — it needs a main clause to finish the idea. Paste your own sentence into the free checker below to fix it in one click.
A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated like a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. “Because it was raining.” is a fragment — it needs a main clause to finish the idea.
How it works
- 1Spot the pattern. Check that the words can stand alone. Watch openers like “Because”, “Although”, “Which”, and “-ing” phrases — they often introduce a clause that never connects to a main one.
- 2Apply the rule. Attach the fragment to a nearby main clause, or add the missing subject or verb. “Because it was raining” becomes “We stayed inside because it was raining.”
- 3Check your sentence. Paste your text into the grammar checker below — it flags the issue and shows the correction.
- 4Re-read it. Read the corrected version aloud to confirm it says exactly what you meant.
The rule
A complete sentence needs a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. If any of the three is missing, it’s a fragment — even if it starts with a capital and ends with a period.
How to spot it
Check that the words can stand alone. Watch openers like “Because”, “Although”, “Which”, and “-ing” phrases — they often introduce a clause that never connects to a main one.
How to fix it
Attach the fragment to a nearby main clause, or add the missing subject or verb. “Because it was raining” becomes “We stayed inside because it was raining.”
The most common mistake
Treating a subordinate clause (“Although she tried hard.”) as a full sentence. It needs a main clause to complete the thought. If you’re not sure whether your sentence has the problem, paste it into the checker above — it catches this and explains the fix in plain language.
| ❌ Incorrect | ✓ Corrected | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Because it was raining. | We stayed inside because it was raining. | Added a main clause |
| Running down the street. | A dog was running down the street. | Added a subject and verb |
| Which was the best part. | The ending, which was the best part, surprised everyone. | Connected to a main clause |
Frequently asked questions
What is a sentence fragment?
An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought — for example, “After the long meeting.” It needs to be completed or joined to a full clause.
Are fragments ever okay?
In fiction, ads, and casual writing, fragments are used for effect (“Not anymore.”). In academic and professional writing, treat them as errors to fix.
How do I check my own writing for this?
Paste your text into the free grammar checker on this page. It flags the issue, suggests a correction, and explains why — so you learn the rule, not just the fix.
Is it free?
Yes — 3 free runs every day with up to 500 words per run, no credit card to start. Upgrade for a larger word pool, or use the free iOS app.