A fragment is not a complete sentence because it lacks a subject, a verb, or both. Here are examples from the grammatically correct sentence Bob is unavailable:
While most writing consultants consider fragments unacceptable in formal writing, good writers know when to use them for reader ease or dramatic effect. Here are but two examples, with the fragments highlighted:
The Shirer example seems to be for reader ease. With those fragments, he spares us the extra words, which would read something like this: How could they be very good? How could they be very good without even have plans to act? How could they be very good now? How could they be very good while there was still time?
The Percy example, alternatively, is for dramatic effect. This point of his essay would be weakened if he had written This example is not exactly great literature.
Reader Ease
Here are some commonly known examples from the business world:
Dramatic Effect
Placing a fragment in the middle of sentences that adhere to language standards can be jarring to readers. But what's so bad about jarring them one in a while? In the two examples below, the fragments, highlighted only for illustrative purposes, appear in different parts of the paragraph, and they do create impact.
Part 1: Grouping and Dropping Prepositional Phrases
Part 2: Dropping Pronouns for Clarity
Part 3: Dropping Pronouns for Conciseness
Part 4: Avoiding—No, Managing—the Comma Splice
Part 5: Remedying Run-ons
- Is unavailable. (fragment, no subject)
- Bob. (fragment, no verb)
- Unavailable. (fragment, no subject or verb)
While most writing consultants consider fragments unacceptable in formal writing, good writers know when to use them for reader ease or dramatic effect. Here are but two examples, with the fragments highlighted:
- From The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer (page 908): How could they be very good? Without even plans to act? Now? While there was still time?
- From "Another Message in the Bottle" in Signposts in a Strange Land by Walker Percy (page 357): Not exactly great literature.
The Shirer example seems to be for reader ease. With those fragments, he spares us the extra words, which would read something like this: How could they be very good? How could they be very good without even have plans to act? How could they be very good now? How could they be very good while there was still time?
The Percy example, alternatively, is for dramatic effect. This point of his essay would be weakened if he had written This example is not exactly great literature.
Reader Ease
Here are some commonly known examples from the business world:
From audit reports: Corrective action required.
From investigation reports: Case closed.
From lab reports: No exceptions noted.
From meeting minutes: Meeting adjourned.
From status reports: Awaiting action.These sentence fragments in formal business documents are terms of art. They have a special meaning understood to the intended readers of the field. So why change a culturally acceptable non-sentence?
Dramatic Effect
Placing a fragment in the middle of sentences that adhere to language standards can be jarring to readers. But what's so bad about jarring them one in a while? In the two examples below, the fragments, highlighted only for illustrative purposes, appear in different parts of the paragraph, and they do create impact.
From an employee commendation, opening with three fragments: Diligence. Quality. Efficiency. These are three hallmarks of our Firm and, evidently, of your work ethic since you joined our team one year ago.
From a staff disciplinary memo, ending with a fragment: Your timecard indicates that on Monday you arrived 19 minutes late, on Tuesday 28 minutes late, on Wednesday 37 minutes late, and on Thursday 46 minutes. My phone log shows that on Friday you called in sick 55 minutes past your normal starting time. Zero punctuality.Should you write in fragments? First, know the difference between a sentence and a fragment. Second, decide if the fragment enables reader ease or creates a dramatic effect. Third, write fragments sparingly.
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Read previous posts in this series:Part 1: Grouping and Dropping Prepositional Phrases
Part 2: Dropping Pronouns for Clarity
Part 3: Dropping Pronouns for Conciseness
Part 4: Avoiding—No, Managing—the Comma Splice
Part 5: Remedying Run-ons
