Young Writers Society

To this day, I haven't found it out. I hear and see the words everywhere, but I just don't get it. Maybe it's the language barrier, maybe not. Either way, whoever makes me understand the meaning of a sentence fragment with possibly a few examples, will get my gratitude forever.

Please forgive me my ignorance.

A sentence fragment is one without a subject or verb. Subject= the "actor" of the sentence. Verb= the action. (Easy, right?)

Fragment:

Coming?

^ That sentence has no subject, or no verb. It's a fragment.

Another fragment:

You coming?

^ That sentence has no verb. "You" is the subject, but the "ing" ending on "come" means it's not a verb.

Correct:

Are you coming?

^ "Are" is the verb, "you" is the subject. "Coming" would be the object.

Better now?

You coming?

^ That sentence has no verb. "You" is the subject, but the "ing" ending on "come" means it's not a verb.

"Coming" is a verb - however, it's a not a verb that agrees with the subject, is what I think you meant. 'Cus it's an action, but not an action that the subject could do in that context. Or something.

Otherwise, listen to Rosey.

The technical term is a "gerund"; a verb that's lost its tense due to an "-ing." If I remember my English class correctly.

Ah yeah, the gerund. I know it from French class.

Subject= the "actor" of the sentence. Verb= the action.

Heh, Rosey, you make me feel like I'm (1)5 years old.

Anyway, thanks a lot, both of you. You hold my gratitude forever.

In my English class, we call that the continuous or something. xD

You know. Sentence fragments. They're annoying.

A special liking of sentence fragments. That is, I have a special liking of sentence fragments.

Sentence fragment = fragment of a sentence.

I can has gratitude forever nao?

Hello Demeter! Here are a few things to know:

1.) A fragment doesn't have an essential part such as a subject and/or verb OR it doesn't express a complete idea.
a.) The second part is important because a fragment can have a subject and verb but it does not express a complete idea. EX: In the the land of Utopia, everyone is happy. Because they all have the money they need.

The fragment is the underlined part. As you can see, it has a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought.

2.) Now here is an example of a fragment missing a subject or verb:
a.) Accepting that happiness means nothing without love.
This sentence has no subject.

b.) Lily rejects wearing a coat in the winter. Thereby getting herself sick all the time.
The underlined part has no verb. 'Getting' is not a verb, but a gerund, which can be a noun or direct object: I love cooking. / Cooking is my passion. 'Ing' verbs need a helping verb. I am cooking. Or have a verb present: I love cooking with others.

3.) Another form of a fragment lacks both a subject AND verb:
a.) Everyone in Utopia is happy. Through brainwashing and genetic engineering.
The underlined part has no subject or verb.

4.) Now the last form of a fragment is the one we writers use for effect! I like using these. EX:
a.) Noelle needed money. Badly.
Notice how this emphasizes Noelle needing money in a different way instead of just saying: Noelle need money badly.

Okay, that's it. I hope this helps!! ^_^

Suzu