Are sentence fragments always a mistake?

In formal writing (reports, essays, resumes), fragments are generally considered errors. However, in creative writing, dialogue, and advertising, authors use intentional fragments for emphasis, rhythm, or to mimic natural speech. The key is intent: a fragment should serve a purpose, not be an accident.

How do I punctuate a list of sentence fragments?

According to major style guides like AP and Chicago , if your bulleted list contains fragments (e.g., a list of grocery items), you do not need a period at the end of each line. However, if even one item in the list is a complete sentence, most guides recommend using periods for all items to maintain consistency.

Why do grammar checkers miss some run-on sentences?

AI tools often struggle with semantic context . If a sentence is grammatically structured but logically overwhelming, or if it uses complex subordinating conjunctions incorrectly, the tool might miss it. Human review is still the standard for checking the "breathability" of a paragraph.

Is "Hurry up!" a sentence fragment?

No. This is an imperative sentence . In these cases, the subject "you" is implied ("You hurry up!"). Because it contains a verb and a complete command, it is a grammatically whole sentence, not a fragment.

Can a very long sentence be grammatically correct?

Yes. Length does not determine a run-on. As long as the independent clauses are joined by proper connectors (semicolons, conjunctions), a sentence can be 100 words long and still be correct. A run-on is about structure, not word count. However, the goal is clear communication, so using 100 words isn't the best move.