A sentence is the largest unit of any language. In English, it begins with a capital letter and ends with a full-stop, or a question mark, or an exclamation mark.
The sentence is generally defined as a word or a group of words that expresses a thorough idea by giving a statement/order, or asking a question, or exclaiming.
Example:
He is a good boy (statement), Is he a good boy? (question), What a nice weather! (exclaiming).
Ideally, a sentence requires at least one subject and one verb. Sometimes the subject of a sentence can be hidden, but the verb must be visible and present in the sentence. Verb is called the heart of a sentence.
Example:
Do it. (In this sentence, a subject ‘you’ is hidden but verb ‘do’ is visible)
“[A sentence is] a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought in the form of a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation and starts with a capital letter when written.” – (Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press.)
More Examples of Sentences
- Robert was a good king.
- He had a great army.
- He wanted to bring peace to his kingdom.
- There were many others who wanted to become king.
- They started plotting against him.
- Their plots were failing because of some trusted friends of the king.
- Then they started killing those trusted friends.
- Eventually, they succeeded in their plan of killing the king.
- Did they make a good move?
- Can they find a new king without dispute?
- After the death of the king, everyone wanted to be a king.
- A great chaos broke out in the kingdom.
- People were anxious and unhappy.
- War does not bring anything good to the common people.
- It only brings sorrow and dismay.
Note: all these examples of sentence contain at least one verb and one subject and gives a complete sense.
In other words, a complete English sentence must have three characteristics:
- First, in written form, a sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period (i.e., a full stop) [.], a note of interrogation (i.e., a question mark) [?], or a note of exclamation (i.e., an exclamation mark) [!].
- Second, it must express a complete thought, not fragmented.
- Third, it must contain at least one subject (hidden/visible) and one verb comprising an independent clause. (An independent clause contains an independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)
Types of Sentences
Structurally, sentences are of four types:
- Simple sentence
- Compound sentence
- Complex sentence, and
- Compound-complex sentence.
Simple sentence
A simple sentence must have a single clause (a single verb) which is independent, and it cannot take another clause.
Example:
I always wanted to become a writer. (One clause – one verb)
Compound sentence
A compound sentence must have more than one independent clause with no dependent clauses. Some specific conjunctions, punctuation, or both are used to join together these clauses.
Example:
I always wanted to become a writer, and she wanted to become a doctor. (Two independent clauses – two verbs)
Complex sentence
A complex sentence also has more than one clause but of one them must be an independent clause and the other/others must be (a) dependent clause(es). There are also some particular connectors for the clauses of a complex sentence to be connected.
Example:
I know that you always wanted to be a writer. (Here, a dependent clause is followed by a connector and an independent clause. The other way around is also possible.)
More Complex Sentence Examples :
- When I woke up, the sun was yet to light the sky.
- The ambulance arrived after the accident had taken place.
- If you like the cake, we can pack an extra piece for later.
- Before you go to bed, finish doing the dishes.
- Even though it was raining, they started their trip.
- We would love to visit your family home, provided there is no heavy traffic.
- They did not move until the rain had stopped.
- My friend left the country because she needed a fresh start.
- Make hay while the sun shines.
- I went along with the plan although I did not have a good feeling about it.
- Since talking could not resolve the issue, there is no point going forward with the deal.
- Whenever the prices hike, the monthly sales drop.
- As I was crossing the road, a car slid right past me and crashed into a tree.
- Many enjoyed the puppet show; however, Alison did not.
- Being a gentleman, he held the door for his entire group.
- The entire planet is bound to suffer if the ozone layer collapses.
- We properly started enjoying the show when the Grammy-nominated actor graced the screen.
- I know who stole the necklace.
Compound-complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence (or complex–compound sentence) is a mixture of the features of compound and complex sentences in one sentence. So, it must contain at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Example:
I know that you always wanted to become a writer, but I always wanted to become a doctor. (Here, one dependent clause is followed by a complex connector and two independent clauses with a compound conjunction between them.)
Functionally, sentences are of mainly four types:
- Declarative sentence
- Imperative sentence
- Interrogative sentence, and
- Exclamatory sentence
Declarative sentence:
An assertive sentence (declarative sentence) simply expresses an opinion/feeling, or makes a statement, or describes things. In other words, it declares something. This type of sentence ends with a period (i.e., a full-stop).
Examples:
- I want to be a good cricketer. (a statement)
- I am very happy today. (a feeling)
More Examples of Declarative Sentence
- Alex is a good baseball player.
- He plays for the Rockers club.
- He always gives his best effort in the team.
- He is a good leader.
- I like him for his intensity.
- He plays with passion.
- Alex feels awkward when someone gives a compliment to him.
- He is a humble man.
- He is popular among his friends but he feels awkward with strangers.
- He has many fans in his locality.
- His father was a lawyer.
- When he was young, his father died.
- He is a real fighter.
- He fought against all the odds of life and became successful.
- His fans love him.
- His mother raised him to be a gentleman.
- He is always humble and patient with his fans.
Imperative sentence:
We use an imperative sentence to make a request or to give a command. Imperative sentences usually end with a period (i.e., a full stop), but under certain circumstances, it can end with a note of exclamation (i.e., exclamation mark).
Examples:
- Please sit down.
- I need you to sit down now!
More Examples of Imperative Sentence
- Bring me a glass of water.
- Don’t ever touch my phone.
- Give me a pen and a pencil.
- Play with intensity and courage.
- Remember me when we are parted.
- Never forget the person who loves you.
- Take a step and don’t move.
- Don’t be excited about everything without reason.
- Don’t rush or you will fall.
- Read a lot to improve your writing skill.
- Write whenever you get a chance.
- Don’t stay out at night.
- Please open the door quickly.
- Have a cup of cappuccino.
- You wash your hand first and then eat.
- Kindly bring the book to me.
- Please forgive my meticulousness but you have spelled it wrong.
- Don’t ever call me a loser.
- Watch your step before taking it.
- Please grant me a loan.
Interrogative sentence:
An interrogative sentence asks a question. Interrogative sentences must end with a note of interrogation (i.e., question mark)
Examples:
- When are you going to submit your assignment?
- Do you know him?
More Examples of Interrogative Sentence
- Do you want to go there?
- Did you see her?
- Have you watched the movie?
- How often do you go there?
- Have you been there before?
- Can you help me get rid of this dog?
- Can I borrow your grammar book for a day?
- Could you please help me with these bags?
- Do you know who she is?
- Did you make a plan?
- How did you make that water-mark?
- How often you go to a bar?
- How many times do you smoke?
- Does he know that I am here?
- Does she love you as the way you do?
- Does he care about us?
- Why did he leave us then?
- Who is that man seating in the corner?
- How on earth did you think about me in that way?
- Will you please open the door for me?
- Would you like a beer?
- Can’t we be friends again?
- Why haven’t you completed your homework?
- Don’t you know who she is?
Exclamatory sentence.
An exclamatory sentence expresses overflow of emotions. These emotions can be of happiness, wonder, sorrow, anger, etc.
Examples:
- What a day it was!
- I cannot believe he would do that!
- May the king of Westeros live long!
- Long live the king of Westeros.
- May you two live long enough to see your grandchildren!
- May God bless us all.
- May you become successful enough to buy love!
- May the almighty help in this tragedy!
- Wish you a very successful married life.
- Wish you a happy journey together.
- May your team win the match!
Definition of Exclamatory Sentence:
The sentence which expresses a sudden and intense excitement, disgust, admiration, shock, or sorrow, etc. is called an exclamatory sentence. This kind of sentence must have a note of exclamation (!) at the end or in the middle of the sentence.
More Examples of Exclamatory Sentence
- Hey! Don’t touch my phone.
- Alas! I could not be at her funeral.
- Hush! Your father is sleeping.
- What a boring day!
- How disgusting it becomes when he opens his mouth!
- What a nice car you have!
- What a plunge!
- How gorgeous the dress is!
- Hurrah! We are going to Miami.
- How blessed I am to see such a sight!
- What beautiful country it is!
- How fluently the lady talks in French!
- What a pity! You can’t join us.