Fragments
Say whether these short utterances make whole sentences or not; and if they don’t, add whatever is necessary.
Say whether these short utterances make whole sentences or not; and if they don’t, add whatever is necessary.
Examine each group of words and say whether it is a complete sentence or not. If it is not, make whatever changes you think necessary, until you are satisfied that you have a complete sentence.
1. Before I could say a word.
2. The bigger of the two.
3. So that he would be unable to use the knife.
4. Though I have never met him.
5. As abruptly as he had come.
6. You heard?
For example
A stealthy footstep on the stairs.
She thought she heard a stealthy footstep on the stairs.
Was that a stealthy footstep on the stairs?
Note: Fragments are a common and indispensable part of everyday conversation, and are not ‘bad grammar’. However, they are discouraged in formal writing, so it is important to know the difference between a fragment and a sentence.