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đź“– Detailed Explanation of the Topic: Is it a Complete Sentence or a Fragment?

When learning English in Year 6 as part of Key Stage 2, it is really important to understand the difference between a complete sentence and a sentence fragment. This helps you write correctly and makes your writing clear to others.

✍️ What is a Complete Sentence?

A complete sentence is a group of words that makes sense all by itself. It must have two key parts:

  1. A subject – the person, place, thing, or idea the sentence is about.
  2. A verb – the action or state of being.

A complete sentence also expresses a complete thought.

Example of a Complete Sentence:

  • The cat (subject) is sleeping (verb) on the mat.

This sentence clearly tells us who is doing what and makes a complete idea.

❌ What is a Sentence Fragment?

A sentence fragment is a group of words that does not express a complete thought. It might be missing a subject or a verb, or it might be just part of a sentence.

Examples of Sentence Fragments:

  • Running down the street. (No subject)
  • Because it was raining. (This starts a thought but doesn’t finish it)
  • The big red ball. (No verb – it doesn’t say what the ball is doing)

Sentence fragments can confuse readers because they don’t tell the whole story.

🔍 How to Tell if It Is a Complete Sentence or a Fragment

Here are some simple steps to help you decide:

  1. Look for the subject: Ask yourself, “Who or what is this sentence about?”
  2. Look for the verb: Ask yourself, “What is the subject doing or what is happening?”
  3. Check if it makes a complete thought: Can the sentence stand on its own without extra explanation?

If the sentence has a subject, a verb, and expresses a full idea, it is a complete sentence.

If it is missing any of these parts or seems unfinished, it is a sentence fragment.

đź“ť Practice Examples

  • Complete sentence: The sun shines brightly.
  • Fragment: Shines brightly.
  • Complete sentence: They played football after school.
  • Fragment: After school.

đź’ˇ Study Tip

When writing or editing your work, try reading your sentences out loud. If it sounds like something is missing or if it stops suddenly, it might be a fragment. Adding or fixing your sentence to include both subject and verb will help it become complete.

Remember, knowing whether you have a complete sentence or a fragment will make your writing much clearer and easier to understand!

🧠 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Is it a Complete Sentence or a Fragment?

Question 1

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“The dog ran across the field.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a subject “The dog” and a verb “ran.”

Question 2

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“When the rain started.”
Answer: Fragment. It begins with a subordinating conjunction and is incomplete.

Question 3

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“She likes to read books.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a subject “She” and a verb “likes.”

Question 4

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Because it was cold outside.”
Answer: Fragment. It is a dependent clause and cannot stand alone.

Question 5

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“They went to the park after school.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has both a subject and a verb and expresses a full idea.

Question 6

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Running down the hill.”
Answer: Fragment. It is just a phrase without a subject or main verb.

Question 7

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“My friends and I watched a film.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a clear subject and verb.

Question 8

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“After the teacher finished speaking.”
Answer: Fragment. It leaves the sentence unfinished.

Question 9

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“The cat sleeping on the windowsill.”
Answer: Fragment. It describes the cat but has no main verb.

Question 10

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“We ate lunch together.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb and makes sense.

Question 11

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Although I wanted to go.”
Answer: Fragment. It needs additional information to be complete.

Question 12

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“The sun shone brightly.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb.

Question 13

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Playing football in the park.”
Answer: Fragment. It is a phrase missing a subject and main verb.

Question 14

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“She finished her homework quickly.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb.

Question 15

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Before the movie started.”
Answer: Fragment. It is an incomplete idea that needs more information.

Question 16

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“The birds sang in the morning.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has both subject and verb.

Question 17

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“Watching the stars at night.”
Answer: Fragment. It doesn’t have a subject or a main verb.

Question 18

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“He enjoys playing video games.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It makes a full statement.

Question 19

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“While she was dancing.”
Answer: Fragment. It is a dependent clause.

Question 20

Is this a complete sentence or a fragment?
“They laughed at the funny joke.”
Answer: Complete sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a full thought.

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