Is it a complete sentence or a fragment?

key notes :

1. What is a Complete Sentence?

  • A complete sentence has two important parts:
    • A subject: Tells who or what the sentence is about.
    • A predicate: Tells what the subject is doing or describes the subject.
  • A complete sentence expresses a complete thought and makes sense on its own.
  • Example: “The dog ran in the park.”
    • This is a complete sentence because it tells who (the dog) and what the dog did (ran).

2. What is a Fragment?

  • A fragment is not a complete sentence. It is missing either a subject, a predicate, or doesn’t express a complete thought.
  • Fragments can be groups of words that don’t make sense on their own.
  • Example: “Running in the park.”
    • This is a fragment because it doesn’t tell who is running.

3. How to Identify a Complete Sentence

  • Step 1: Check if the group of words has a subject (who or what).
  • Step 2: Check if it has a predicate (what the subject does or is).
  • Step 3: Ask, “Does it make sense on its own?”
  • If it has all these parts and makes sense, it is a complete sentence.

4. How to Identify a Fragment

  • Step 1: Look for what’s missing (a subject or a verb).
  • Step 2: Ask, “Does this group of words tell a complete thought?”
  • If something is missing or it doesn’t make sense on its own, it’s a fragment.

5. Examples of Complete Sentences and Fragments

  • Complete Sentence: “The cat sleeps on the bed.”
    • (Has a subject: The cat, and a predicate: sleeps)
  • Fragment: “On the bed.”
    • (Missing the subject and action: Who or what is on the bed?)

6. Practice Examples

  • Example 1: “The children play outside.”
    • Complete Sentence: Yes, it has a subject (children) and a predicate (play outside).
  • Example 2: “Under the tree.”
    • Fragment: Yes, it doesn’t tell who or what is under the tree.

7. Quick Test to Check if It’s a Sentence

  • Does it have a subject? (Who or what is the sentence about?)
  • Does it have a predicate? (What is the subject doing or being?)
  • Does it make sense by itself? (Does it give a complete idea?)

8. Common Fragments

  • Missing a subject:
    • “Ran to the store.” (Who ran?)
  • Missing a predicate:
    • “The big dog.” (What did the dog do?)
  • Incomplete thought:
    • “Because it was raining.” (What happened because of the rain?)

Let’s practice ! ✍️