A sentence fragment contains less than one main clause.

• Common fragment errors include the dependent clause, the infinitive phrase, the present or past participle phrase, and the prepositional phrase fragment.

• Fragments are major grammatical errors that academic writers should avoid.

A phrase is a group of words without a complete subject and a complete verb.

To see the difference between a clause and a phrase, look at the following charts.

A clause always has a complete subject and a complete verb.

The Clause

s	v	one subject and one verb
(s)	v	an implied subject (a command) and one verb
sss	vvv	more than one subject and more than one verb
sss	v	more than one subject and only one verb
s	vvv	only one subject and more than one verb
v	s	one verb (an inversion) and one subject

A phrase is always missing something.

The Phrase

s	-	a complete subject and no verb
-	v	no subject and a complete verb
s	1/2	a complete subject and a half verb
-	1/2	no subject and a half verb
-	-	no subject and no verb

Note:

• A prepositional phrase always begins with a preposition.

Example:

(in the Hawaiian chain) (of eight islands)

• However, a verbal phrase may consist of a complete subject and a half verb.

Example:

(each island having its own special characteristics)

• Or a verbal phrase may begin with a half verb and end with a noun or pronoun object.

Example:

(to signify its individuality)