Sentence: Definition, Structures, Types, Useful Examples
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A sentence is the most important unit in any language. In English, it starts with capital letters and is ended with a full stop, a question mark and an exclamation mark.
A sentence is an individual phrase, clause, or a set of words or clauses that convey a whole concept. Sentences are essential in writing as they assist you to convey your ideas. Therefore, it is essential to create sentences that are precise and adhere to grammar rules.
Complete sentences generally include a verb. They can be used by themselves, be logical, and convey complete thoughts. This article will discuss the different types of sentences and structures that assist you in writing complete and correctly grammatically constructed sentences. Look closely.
What Is A Sentence?
A sentence is a set of words that is complete in itself, containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
Oxford Dictionary
Sentence Characteristics
A sentence must have a capital letter at start and full stop, question mark, exclamation mark at the end. Sentence must have full idea or thought. Lastly a sentence must have verb and subject.
For example: The happy cat.
This is a phrase and isn’t an example of sentence since it doesn’t have a verb. It does not state anything about the happy cat; hence the phrase does not give a complete idea or thought.
Sentence Structures
Sentences are of four types with respect to structure.
- Simple Sentences
- Compound Sentences
- Complex Sentences
- Compound-Complex Sentences
1. Simple Sentences
A sentence having single clause i.e. one verb is called simple sentence. Simple sentences usually have one thought or idea.
2. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has a minimum of two independent clauses joined with a semicolon, comma, or conjunction.
An Independent clause has a subject and a verb that gives complete thought or idea.
A good example of a compound sentence would be, ‘This car is too expensive, and that car is too small.’ This is a compound sentence since it is composed of two separate clauses, ‘This car is too expensive and ‘that car is too small,’ separated by a comma, and the conjunction ‘and.’
3. Complex Sentences
Complex sentences are interesting components that make up our English language. If they are used appropriately, they can enrich our writing.
Complex sentences comprise an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
An independent clause can be used as a single sentence. It always has complete thought. The dependent clause is not standalone even if it contains both a subject and a verb.
Complex Sentence Examples
- Amelia missed her exam because she was late. (The independent clause is “Amelia missed her exam,” whereas the dependent clause is “because she was late” and the subordinating conjunction is “because”)
- Because my coffee was too hot, I cooled it in the refrigerator.
- Although she was wealthy, she was still unhappy.
- The returned the computer after they noticed it was damaged.
- Whenever prices goes down, customers buy more products.
- When Isabella was younger, she believed in fairy tales.
- Let’s go back to Paris because it’s where we had our first date.
- We really didn’t like the drama even though the acting was good.
- After the rain fell, the desert smelled good.
- Lily worked on the surprise gift while her father was out.
4. Compound-Complex Sentences
As the name suggests, a compound-complex sentence connects both sentence forms. These sentences are composed of multiple clauses. It is composed of at least two main clauses like the compound sentence and at least one dependent clause like a complex sentence.
Types of Sentences
- Declarative Sentences
- Interrogative Sentences
- Imperative Sentences
- Exclamatory Sentences
1. Declarative Sentences
The declarative sentence is the simplest kind of sentence. It is used to convey information and is punctuated with a period. Simple declarative sentences that make simple statements.
The declarative sentence is also known as an ordinary sentence, a declarative, or a statement of fact. Declarative sentences may be positive or negative and are among the most frequently used sentence types in English language sciences. They can be used to give the reader information or provide an explanation. Declarative sentences are based on a certain pattern for the structure of sentences.
2. Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences ask the questions. They are looking for details and always end with “question marks.” This kind of sentence usually starts with who, what, where, when, why, how, do, did, has, have, will, shall, is, am, are.
Here are some Interrogative sentence examples
3. Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences give a command, request or instruction. They end with a period (.) or exclamation mark (!).
Imperative Sentence Examples
4. Exclamatory Sentences
The sentences that express excitement or emotion are called exclamatory sentences. They end with exclamation mark (!).
Exclamatory Sentence Examples
- Wow, she got a law degree!
- What a great day!
- I got the concert passes!
- Thank you, Lottie!
- Fantastic, let’s play!
- How well he dances!
- What a sad ending!
- How well she listens!
- I’m so happy right now!
- That’s such a nice ring!
Conclusion
We now know the various important aspects of sentences. Because defining the full meaning of a sentence in only two words is not easy and time-consuming, it is best to keep in mind all the characteristics of the complete sentence. Knowing these traits will allow us to identify whether an expression is correct grammatically or not.
If you’re having any doubts about the qualities of a full sentence, you can leave a comment below, and we’ll attempt to give you feedback.
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Originally published at https://eslblock.com on December 2, 2021.