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.
—
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
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 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share