Sentence & Its Types

1) What is a Sentence?

Definition, punctuation, and quick examples.

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It usually starts with a capital letter and ends with punctuation: . ? !

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Must-have rule
A sentence must contain subject + verb + complete meaning.
Correct sentences
  • She is playing.
  • The dog barked loudly.
  • We are learning English.
Not sentences
  • Running in the park. (no subject)
  • The happy boy. (no verb)

2) Important Parts of a Sentence

Subject + Predicate.

Every sentence has two main parts: subject and predicate.

A) Subject

The subject tells about the doer of the action or who or what the sentence is about.

Examples:

  • John is eating.
  • The teacher is speaking.
  • My friends are waiting.
Subject typeExampleWhy it is the subject
NounThe boy runs.The boy does the action.
PronounShe sings.She does the action.
PhraseThe tall man is my uncle.The phrase tells who the sentence is about.

B) Predicate

The predicate tells what the subject does or is. It includes the verb and may include an object or a complement.

Verb (action/state)
  • She runs fast.
  • They are sleeping.
  • He likes music.
Object (receives action)
  • She reads a book.
  • He kicked the ball.
  • They built a house.
Complement (adds information)

Subject complements:

  • She is happy.
  • He became a doctor.
  • The sky looks beautiful.

Time & place complements (extra information):

  • She studies at night.
  • They met in the park.
  • We will leave after class.
  • He works in London.

3) Clauses in a Sentence

Independent vs dependent clauses.

A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.

Clause typeMeaningStand alone?Examples
Independent clauseComplete thoughtYes
  • She finished her work.
  • The sun is shining.
  • We went home.
Dependent clauseIncomplete thoughtNo
  • because she was tired
  • when the bell rang
  • although it was raining
Correct
  • She slept because she was tired.
  • We left when the bell rang.
Wrong
  • Because she was tired.
  • When the bell rang.
!
Remember
A dependent clause needs an independent clause to make a complete sentence.

4) Types of Sentences by Structure

How clauses combine.

TypeRuleExamples
Simple1 independent clause
  • She sings.
  • I like pizza.
  • The sun is shining.
Compound2+ independent clauses (and, but, or, so, yet)
  • I was tired, but I finished my work.
  • She likes tea, and he likes coffee.
  • We can go now, or we can wait.
Complex1 independent + 1+ dependent clauses
  • Although it was raining, we went outside.
  • I will call you when I arrive.
  • She cried because she was sad.
Compound-complex2 independent + 1+ dependent clauses
  • Although he was tired, he kept working, and he completed the task.
  • When I arrived home, she was cooking, and the children were playing.

5) Types of Sentences by Function

What the sentence does (purpose).

TypePurposeEndingExamples
DeclarativeGives information.
  • I live in London.
  • She is my sister.
  • The meeting starts at noon.
InterrogativeAsks a question?
  • Where are you going?
  • Do you like coffee?
  • What time is it?
ImperativeCommand / request. / !
  • Close the door.
  • Please sit down.
  • Finish your homework.
ExclamatoryStrong feeling!
  • What a wonderful day!
  • That is amazing!
  • I can’t believe it!

6) Types of Sentences by Form

The grammatical pattern used in the sentence.

FormMeaningExamples
AffirmativePositive statement
  • She is happy.
  • They finished the work.
NegativeUses “not / never”
  • She is not happy.
  • They did not finish the work.
InterrogativeQuestion form
  • Is she happy?
  • Did they finish the work?
Negative interrogativeQuestion + negation
  • Isn’t she happy?
  • Didn’t they finish the work?
  • Aren’t you coming?