Which term describes an incomplete sentence?

• A. Fragment
• B. Run-on sentence
• C. Comma splice
• D. Subordinating conjunction

Answer: (A)

In writing, a sentence must express a complete thought with a subject and a predicate. When a group of words doesn’t form a complete thought, it’s a fragment. The term that describes an incomplete sentence is fragment, because it signals that the sentence cannot stand on its own and needs more information to be complete. For example, “Because she woke up late” feels unfinished. Adding a main clause to complete the idea, like “Because she woke up late, she missed the bus,” turns it into a full sentence.

The other terms describe different issues. A run-on sentence is when two or more independent clauses run together without proper punctuation or a conjunction, so it’s about how ideas are joined, not about incompleteness. A comma splice is a specific type of run-on where two independent clauses are joined only with a comma, which again relates to punctuation between complete thoughts. A subordinating conjunction is a word that introduces a dependent clause, not a label for an incomplete sentence. Recognizing fragments helps you know when to add a main clause or combine with another sentence to express a complete idea.