Grammar Focus: Complete Sentences vs. Sentence Fragments A complete sentence contains a
subject (noun) and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Noun: a person place, thing, or idea Verb: tells what action someone or
something is performing Subject: the word or group of words that
names the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action or is described.
Examples of Complete Sentences
I spilled black ink on the floor.
Mr. Drewery spoke to our class.
Her news article appeared on the front
page today.
The Aggies beat Mizzou on Saturday night.
Johnny Manziel is a good candidate for the
Heisman.
Examples of Sentence Fragments
A visit to the counseling office.
Heard the phone ring.
Walking down the street.
Thanksgiving meal on the table.
Wrote a poem to be published in the
magazine.
On Your Own… Label each group of words S for sentence or F for
fragment. For each S (sentence) circle the subject and
underline the verb. Rewrite each F (fragment) as a complete sentence
with a subject and a verb.
1. We enjoyed the baseball game.
2. Ducks near the pond.
3. In the evening, after sunset.
4. The storm arrived quickly.
5. Leaving the basketball game now.
6. The garden in full bloom.
ANSWERS Label each group of words S for sentence or F for fragment. For each S (sentence) circle the subject and underline the verb. Rewrite each F (fragment) as a complete sentence with a subject
and a verb.
1. We enjoyed the baseball game. S
2. Ducks near the pond. F Ducks near the pond quacked
loudly.
3. In the evening, after sunset. F In the evening, after
sunset we eat dinner.
4. The storm arrived quickly. S
5. Leaving the basketball game now. F James is
leaving the basketball game now.
6. The garden in full bloom. F I saw the garden in full
bloom.
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