Why are sentence fragments "wrong"?

Question

What makes a sentence fragment a "bad thing," other than the rules?  How do fragments necessarily make communication unclear?

Cbsteh · Accepted Answer

I was about to reply with my answer, but I found a website (http://www.roomtowrite.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=498&pid=4323&mode=threaded&start=) that gives a better answer. Here it is:

"Sentence Fragments. Watch out, because we are going to make all those English teachers out there angry! We have always been taught to complete our sentences. At times though, sentence fragments can add emphasis to an action, thought, dialogue, or movement in your story. If you notice, I already used one sentence fragment at the beginning of this paragraph. Did it grab your attention? Duck, I see rulers flying! Those English teachers are sticklers for form and grammar rules!
To make them happy, I will explain: too many sentence fragments actually steal from your story. Use them sparingly. (Notice, I just used one again!) There is a delicate balance a writer needs to grasp in using the sentence fragment; too many will cause the reader much annoyance as well as force them to come to the conclusion that the writer has no idea how to write. Often times you will find the sentence fragment in dialogue. Face it. That is how many of us speak. Listen to conversations around you and notice how many sentence fragments you hear. But, as I have said previously, you can also use the fragments in regular text as well.

At times the sentence fragment can be a stand alone, but many times it is connected in a paragraph. Below are some different examples of how to use sentence fragments. Now, you are invited to try your hand in using them. Post as many times as you like to show off your skill of using the sentence fragment! (I will hold those English teachers back; give them apples and candy and such, to pacify them…)"

Chris

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Use them sparingly. (Notice, I just used one again!) Where?

Good article. Agree. Not others. Formal writing problems. Communication with reader. Clear or not clear.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Rules? Bad thing? Make communication unclear? Don't know. You? Could be. Never thought about it. Fragments that are longer sometimes. Or you could have shorter. The ones that are clear. Or mostly those. Had an idea like that. Once. But then after I thought. More about it. When did I? Don't remember whether it was. The first time it happened, though, it could have been. Neither did this friend of mine. But I told her. The one that I met before. In English class. That there was this guy on English Forums. Asking about fragments. Or something about rules. Never heard of those rules. She said. You have. I said. Maybe not. Forgot. Anyway. She didn't think so. In high school. Years ago. Anyway. Looked in this book. The book about grammar that was on the shelf. Top shelf, actually. Couldn't find much. In the book. Nothing, really. Not interesting anyway. So no rules. As for her. Sure. Me? I was. No rules. Communication that is just as good with fragments. All she said. Obvious. Really obvious. As for me. Agreed. Obvious. Good communication with fragments. That you should use them. Well, OK. I said. From now on. Because they're good. For communication. Yes. Obvious. Which she agreed about completely. So she too now. Problems with fragments that you write. Never mind. Aren't any. Obvious.

CJ

BarbaraPA · Answer

You guys can stop channeling Dennis Leary now!

In my fiction writing, I make use of fragments. They are useful for quickening the pace and drawing specific attention to something.

However, there's a difference between making a conscious decision to use a fragment and using one because you're too lazy to write it correctly or don't even realize you've done it.

Philip · Answer

Grammar GeekYou guys can stop channeling Dennis Leary now!

In my fiction writing, I make use of fragments. They are useful for quickening the pace and drawing specific attention to something.

However, there's a difference between making a conscious decision to use a fragment and using one because you're too lazy to write it correctly or don't even realize you've done it.

Timothy?

Your comments hit the crux of the matter, as usual, GG.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Dennis Leary is a comedian - I may have spelled his name wrong - known for his rapid-fire delivery. For a while, he was part of half-time on Monday Night Football. He added a lot more value than Tony Kornheiser, anyway.

Raen · Answer

This is a really funny thread! I was only halfway down CalifJim's post before I was off the chair rolling on the floor with laughters.

You guys are funny!

Philip · Answer

Grammar GeekDennis Leary is a comedian - I may have spelled his name wrong - known for his rapid-fire delivery. For a while, he was part of half-time on Monday Night Football. He added a lot more value than Tony Kornheiser, anyway.

I thought you were suggesting that CJ was using some LSD-influenced conversation. Wouldn't have been too far out. (I don't watch football.)

CalifJim · Answer

RaenYou guys are funny!

We do our best to keep everyone amused.

CJ

Clive · Answer

Why are sentence fragments "wrong"?

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