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Verb Tense And Subject Verb Agreement What Are Personal Pronouns Commas Correct Usage Basic Rules Punctuation Using Colons Semicolons And Periods How to Write With Idioms or Phrasal Verbs Sentence Clarity How to Write Clear Sentences How to Write With Good Diction to Develop Style Tone Point of View How to Identify The Subject of a Sentence What is Brainstorming Techniques For Brainstorming Great Ideas Parallelism How to Write And Identify Parallel Sentences Sentence Fragments Comma Splices And Run-on Sentences Subject Verb Agreement Using Uncommon Singular And Plural Nouns And Pronouns Comma Usage Avoid Confusion in Clauses Contrasting Sentence Parts Sentence Agreement Avoiding Faulty Collective Ownership Sentence Structure Identify And Avoid Mixed Structure Sentences Independent And Dependent Clauses Subordination Coordination Pronouns Relative Reflexive Interrogative Possessive How to Write Logical Sentences And Avoid Faulty Comparisons How to Write Logical Sentences And Avoid Faulty Comparisons What Are Misplaced Modifiers And Dangling Modifiers Active And Passive Voice How to Write And Use Transition Sentences Complete Sentence Examples Definition

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TOEFL: How to Write Well What Makes Writing Good
Complete Sentence Examples Definition

Although it seems simple, writing in complete sentences is a necessity that can trip up even seasoned writers. In this lesson, we will examine how to write in a complete sentence and why it is so important.

Complete Sentence Examples Definition

Definition of a Complete Sentence

A complete sentence contains a subject and a predicate. First, let me clarify some of these terms. A subject is the main noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. The predicate contains the main verb that either demonstrates the subject's action or is linking the subject to another noun or adjective in the predicate (as in a linking verb). Not only does the predicate contain the verb, but it also contains complements, which are any words that modify or accompany the verb. In order for a sentence to be complete, it must have at least one subject and one predicate. Another word for a complete sentence is an independent clause.

The opposite of a complete sentence would be an incomplete sentence, or a fragment. Usually, a fragment is missing one of these necessary components (a subject or a verb) and is not an independent or complete thought. It generally doesn't make any sense. In addition, another opponent to the complete sentence is the run-on sentence. Unlike the fragment, the run-on contains both a subject and a verb; however, it usually consists of multiple sentences crammed together. It goes on and on and on without proper punctuation or conjunctions to help join ideas.

Examples of Complete Sentences

I love writing in complete sentences.

The subject is 'I.
The predicate is 'love writing in complete sentences.'
The main verb is 'love.'
Let's look at another one.

Complete sentences are important in writing.

The subject is 'complete sentences.'
The predicate is 'are important in writing.'
The main verb is 'are.'
Now, let's looks at some incomplete sentences.

Examples of Fragments

Writing in complete sentences.

This sentence is a fragment because it is missing a subject or a predicate. This fragment could work as part of the predicate (as in 'I am writing in complete sentences') or as the subject ('Writing in complete sentences is important').

Important in writing.

This is not a sentence. Besides the fact that there is no verb, it just doesn't make any sense. What is important in writing? Why? It doesn't make sense because it is missing 'something,' which is the predicate or verb.

Complete sentences are.

Are what? This sentence technically has a main noun ('sentences') and a verb ('are'), but it is lacking the rest of its predicate. Since 'are' is a linking verb that links the subject to a noun or adjective in the predicate, it needs that word to follow 'are' in order to be a complete sentence. It needs a complement.

Examples of Run-on Sentences

Unlike the fragment, a run-on sentence has a subject and a predicate, but it often has too many joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. There are two sentences in this one sentence.

Complete sentences are a necessary part of writing they are very important.

The first sentence is 'complete sentences are a necessary part of writing.'
The subject is 'complete sentences.'
The predicate is 'are a necessary part of writing.'
The second sentence is 'they are very important.'
The subject is 'they.'
The predicate is 'are very important.'
To correct this sentence and make it 'complete' or correct, you could add a conjunction like 'and' or 'because' in order to join the sentences.
Complete sentences are a necessary part of writing, and they are very important.
Complete sentences are a necessary part of writing because they are very important.
Or, you could just place a period between them and make them two separate sentences.
Complete sentences are a necessary part of writing. They are very important.