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Definition 2024


incomplete_sentence

incomplete sentence

English

Noun

Examples
  • Joe took the... (Indicates that the subject took something, but lacks an object)
  • The shiniest of the red balls. (Identifies an object but lacks a verb which assigns any action to the object)

incomplete sentence (plural incomplete sentences)

  1. (grammar) A group of words which appears to convey only part of a complete thought, lacking some component which is grammatically necessary to complete the thought.

Translations

Usage notes

A sentence can be very long but still be an incomplete sentence if it lacks an element necessary to complete a thought. By contrast, a very short sentence can be a complete sentence if the missing elements are provided by context: Are you going to the beach today? I am.