G5-d: Acceptable fragments

G5-dException: A fragment may be used for effect.

Writers occasionally use sentence fragments for special purposes.

for emphasis Following the dramatic Americanization of their children, even my parents grew more publicly confident. Especially my mother.

—Richard Rodriguez

to answer a question Are these new drug tests 100 percent reliable? Not in the opinion of most experts.
transitions And now the opposing arguments.
exclamations Not again!
in advertising Fewer carbs. Improved taste.

Although fragments are sometimes appropriate, writers and readers do not always agree on when they are appropriate. That’s why you will find it safer to write in complete sentences.