Incomplete sentences consist of word groups rather than complete sentences. Usually, these word groups are not complete sentences because they contain no verb for the subject in the main clause.
Incomplete Sentence
| The policies which have proven inadequate in the past and have even angered some employees. |
Have proven and have angered are verbs of the dependent which clause. Policies has no verb.
Revised
| The policies have proven inadequate in the past and have even angered some employees. |
Incomplete Sentence
| Although there is no clear authority for any of these procedures outlined in the manual. |
The connective although introduces a dependent clause. This dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. If although means on the other hand, the writer must separate it from the rest of the clause with a comma.
To make this sentence complete, either add a verb or connect a dependent clause or phrase to an independent clause.
Revised
| Although there is no clear authority for any of these procedures outlined in the manual, we believe they are right for our business. |
Here are some more examples of incomplete sentences:
Incomplete Sentence
| The lease should be maintained. Although there is no clear authority for doing so. |
Revised
| The lease should be maintained, although there is no clear authority for doing so. |
Incomplete Sentence
| We do not think it would be economical to consider a used machine. Because the cost is not much less than for a new one. |
Revised
| We do not think it would be economical to consider a used machine because the cost is not much less than for a new one. |