Netiquette IQ - Core Fundamentals of Sentence and Email Fragments

Sentence fragments

        Immediately behind email shorthand, the second leading Netiquette grammatical mistake is the area of sentence fragments. Typically, sentence fragments resemble real sentences; some can be quite long. They begin with a capital letter, conclude with an end mark, and lack an independent main clause. One should be mindful of common mistakes that contribute to or cause incomplete sentences.

        Dependent clauses begin with subordinating words:

Subordinate Clause		A number of words missing either a noun or a verb
Present participle		Verb + ing
Infinitive		To + verb
Afterthought Fragment		Especially, for example, for instance, like, such as, including, except, because
Verb Fragment		No noun (i.e., Am at home)
Intentional Fragment		Not a chance, great to hear

Intentional fragments are acceptable from a Netiquette definition but should only be used informally. Without a full, completed sentence, there are a number of undesired message outcomes. Misinterpreted tone is one of these, misunderstood content is another, and the chance of a disrespectful reaction is still another. Again, it should be kept in mind that brevity does not necessarily relate to efficiency. This is particularly true for the recipient, as a fragment may require rereading a message or awaiting more words of clarification.

        Words that most often begin a sentence fragment:

after	since	whereas
although	so	wherever
as	so that	whether
because	than	which
before	that	whichever
even if	though	while
even though	unless	who
if	until	whoever
in order	when	whom
that	whenever	whomever
once	where	whose
provided that		And many “ing” words

Common email fragments

1.   See you

2.   Talk to you later

3.   Be there soon

4.   What on earth

5.   No problem

6.   Twelve days to go

7.   Hope all is well

8.   Maybe later

9.   Looks like rain

10.No way

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In addition to this blog, I have authored the premiere book on Netiquette, "Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". You can view my profile, reviews of the book and content excerpts at:

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