A sentence in English Grammar is a combination of words which conveys a clear message i.e. the listener or reader of the sentence understands the essence of the sentence and the message that it is formed to convey.
A sentence is a meaningful combination of Noun, Pronoun, Adverb, Verb, Subject and Object made to convey a message to the listener or to the reader. Each word in a sentence must be properly placed in order to constitute a meaningful sentence. If the words are not placed where they should be then the sentence gets meaningless i.e. no message can be inferred from it or it does not convey an understandable message.
A sentence must always begin with a capital letter and it may end with a full stop (.), question mark (?) and exclamation (!) depending on the message it conveys. Go through some of the examples of sentences given below-
The above sentences convey a message, be it a simple statement or a question or an exclamation; but there is no doubt that the sentences convey a clear message or information.
Let us try changing the positions of words in the above sentences and see if they are able to convey the same message or a totally different messages all together.
It is very clear from the above sentences that if the words that are parts of a sentence (like- noun, pronoun, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, subject and object) are not placed properly in their respective positions then the sentence conveys absolutely no meaning or nothing can be understood from the sentence.
A sentence which conveys a complete meaning, constitutes of three following parts-
A subject in a sentence is the noun or pronoun being talked about or talked to in the sentence. Consider the below given sentences-
In the above sentences – he, she, Rohit, you are the Subjects. The subject in a sentence can be identified with the help of verb. Read on further for methods to identify a subject with the help of exercises:
The part of the sentence other than the noun or pronoun is called the predicate. Read the following sentences-
The part of the sentence excluding the subject is called the predicate and it also has the object. The predicates of the above sentences are-
In a way a predicate modifies a subject; expressing what it does or what its about.
Object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun which or who is being acted upon in the sentence. Consider the following sentences.
In the above sentences – letter, song and party are the objects.
In the other words ‘object’ is an entity in the subject that is being acted upon.
Following examples cover various types of ‘objects’ along with suitable exercises:
Sentences can be classified into different types based on their functions and structures. The classification of sentences based on functions depends on the statement- whether it is declarative, inquisitive or exclamatory.
The structure classification of sentences depends on whether the sentence is a single sentence or a combination of two or more sentences.
Every sentence can fall in one of the five categories based on its function. The categories in which a sentence can be classified based on its function are as follows-
1) Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentences are simple sentences those constitute a declarative statement. That is, they make a declaration about a subject, or the object and convey a simple message which ends with a full stop. For example:
2) Negative Sentences
These sentences have ‘not’ after the auxiliary verb and contradict the Declarative/Affirmative sentences indicating that it is false. Consider the following examples-
Following are some examples and exercises on Negative Sentences:
3) Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative Sentences ask a question and always end with a question mark (?). Following are some examples of interrogative sentences-
4) Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences express an order, request or advice and always end with a full stop or sometimes with an exclamation mark (!). Following are few examples of imperative sentences-
Read on for detail explanation, types and examples – Exercises on Imperative Sentences:
5) Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express a strong feeling or emotion and always end with an exclamation (!). They may express joy, sorrow, fear, concern etc. Consider the sentences given below-
Further explanation and exercises on Exclamatory Sentences:
Sentences can be classified based on whether the clauses they are formed from are independent, or combination of independent and dependent or complex clauses. Any sentence can be classified in the following forms, based on its structure-
1) Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is comprised of only one clause- a main independent clause. It expresses a complete meaning with subject and verb. Following are few examples of Simple Sentences-
Read on for more examples and exercises on Simple Sentence:
2) Compound Sentence
A compound sentence uses coordinating conjunctions (and, for, nor, but, so, yet, or) to join two independent clauses. Following are few examples of Compound Sentences-
Read on for more examples and exercises on Compound Sentences:
3) Complex Sentence
A complex sentence constitutes of an independent clause and a dependent clause. The two clauses may be joined together by subordinate conjunctions (since, although, unless, when, because) or by relative pronouns (who, which, that etc.) Below given are some examples of complex Sentences-
Read on for more examples and exercises on Complex Sentences:
4) Complex-Compound Sentences
A Complex-Compound or a Compound-Complex sentence has two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Below given are few examples of Complex-Compound or Compound-Complex sentences-
Read on for more examples and exercises on Complex-Compound Sentences: