sentence fragment
noun
: a word, phrase, or clause that usually has in speech the intonation of a sentence but lacks the grammatical structure usually found in the sentences of formal and especially written composition
Examples of sentence fragment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Straight declarative sentence, periodic sentence, sentence fragment.
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Will Harrison, New York Times, 11 July 2023
The text Wujing's man sent was a sentence fragment — a grammar faux pas that an exacting polyglot like Dembe would never make.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023
His final version ends on a sentence fragment—a dramatic reminder that arcadias may well be unfinishable.
—Tess Taylor, WSJ, 7 May 2021
Roger is partial to sentence fragments; Antonia has to supply the rest.
—New York Times, 6 Apr. 2020
Manuscript Writer constructs an introduction, for example, by pulling sentences and sentence fragments from a set of open-access references and laying them out in what appears to be no particular order.
—Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, 12 Dec. 2017
Even the emoluments clause, little more than a sentence fragment, gets more notice nowadays.
—James W. Lucas, National Review, 8 Dec. 2017
Will Harrison, New York Times, 11 July 2023
The text Wujing's man sent was a sentence fragment — a grammar faux pas that an exacting polyglot like Dembe would never make.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2023
His final version ends on a sentence fragment—a dramatic reminder that arcadias may well be unfinishable.
—Tess Taylor, WSJ, 7 May 2021
Roger is partial to sentence fragments; Antonia has to supply the rest.
—New York Times, 6 Apr. 2020
Manuscript Writer constructs an introduction, for example, by pulling sentences and sentence fragments from a set of open-access references and laying them out in what appears to be no particular order.
—Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, 12 Dec. 2017
Even the emoluments clause, little more than a sentence fragment, gets more notice nowadays.
—James W. Lucas, National Review, 8 Dec. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentence fragment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of sentence fragment was
in 1947
Articles Related to sentence fragment
Dictionary Entries Near sentence fragment
Cite this Entry
“Sentence fragment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentence%20fragment. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
sentence fragment
noun
: a word, phrase, or clause that lacks the self-contained structure of a sentence but is written and punctuated like a complete sentence
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