A complete thought is an idea that is expressed in a sentence and that makes sense by itself, without other sentences. An incomplete thought leaves readers wondering what is going on.
| INCOMPLETE THOUGHT | as I was leaving [What is going on?] |
| COMPLETE THOUGHT | The phone rang as I was leaving. |
| INCOMPLETE THOUGHT | the people selling the car [What is going on?] |
| COMPLETE THOUGHT | The people selling the car placed the ad. |
To identify a complete thought, ask yourself, “Do I know what is going on, or do I have to ask a question to understand?”
| INCOMPLETE THOUGHT | in the apartment next door [Do I know what is going on, or do I have to ask a question to understand? You would have to ask a question, so this is not a complete thought.] |
| COMPLETE THOUGHT | Carlos lives in the apartment next door. |